Eccentricity fault detection in permanent magnet synchronous generators using stator voltage signature analysis

In this paper, an index is proposed for the detection of static eccentricity (SE), dynamic eccentricity (DE), and mixed eccentricity (ME) in a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The proposed index is the amplitude of the sideband components with a particular frequency pattern which is extracted from the spectrum of the stator voltage. This index can be used in no load state prior to the loading of the generator which can cause damage in eccentricity conditions. Moreover, the proposed index works properly in loaded condition. Extraction of the proper indexes highly depends on precise computation of the necessary signals. Therefore, in order to fulfil the required precision, the time-stepping finite element method (TSFEM) is used to model the PMSG under eccentricity fault and to calculate the stator voltage as an appropriate signal for processing.