A mathematical method for improving the detecting of interturn short circuits in rotor windings of power generators

An effective novel method for improving the detecting of interturn short circuits on rotor windings is described. The approach consists of measuring the magnetic flux density when the rotor is rotating at a nominal rotation speed and current excitation is applied to the field windings. The measurements are obtained from a stationary search coil tangential to the rotor and near to its surface. A mathematical model that fits the tangential magnetic flux density is used to simulate failure conditions. Finally, a statistical analysis is employed to estimate the probability of making wrong decisions about the occurrence of failures. Finally, a practical application of this methodology is described.