Monitoring parameters of large electrical machines

The criticality of large electrical machines justifies continuous monitoring by several complementary techniques.

Predictive techniques applicable to large electrical machines is one of the chapters where researchers are putting more interest to develop predictive technologies easy to apply and with more reliable diagnostic capabilities:

• Air gap. Air gap monitoring in operation is a measurement technique that uses capacitive sensors immune to eddy current induction. This technology has been around for about 10 years, and there are more than 400 "on-line" installations on hydraulic alternators and large turbochargers.
• Air gap flux. It is an inductive measurement system to determine eccentricity problems in turbo-alternators and short circuits in salient pole machines.
• Stator Bar Vibration (SBV). Based on capacitive sensors, this technique monitors the vibration of bars inside the alternator iron groove to prevent fatigue loosening.
• Coil head vibrations (EWV). This technique employs fiber optic accelerometers for predictive monitoring of coil head vibrations to prevent insulation breakdown due to fatigue and subsequent electrical discharge.

Contact one of our specialist predictive maintenance engineers for advice on monitoring parameters of large electrical machines: info@preditec.com