Sensitive, on-line turn-to-turn fault detection in AC motors

Turn-to-turn fault detection is based on the principle that symmetrical (un-faulted) motors powered by symmetrical multiphase voltage sources will have no negative sequence currents flowing in the leads. A turn-to-turn fault will break that symmetry and give rise to a negative sequence current which may then be used as a measure of fault severity or to initiate protective action, such as a circuit breaker trip. A new way of looking at the effects of turn faults has been developed that improves sensitivity and speed while reducing the probability of misdetection, taking into account voltage balance, load or voltage variation, and instrument errors. The method has been implemented on a PC and tested, in real time, with controllable faults in a small motor. Reliable detection of one shorted turn out of 648 turns per phase (in a Y-connected motor) was demonstrated with the fault indicator becoming fully developed in two cycles of line frequency after initiation of the fault.