Synchronous generator fault diagnosis using shaft signal measurements

Abstract

Shaft voltages and currents are an unavoidable characteristic of rotating machines, though they are typically a nuisance this work shows that shaft signals can be used for fault diagnosis. This work focussed on shaft voltages present on synchronous generators. Measurements on a 4-pole generator found that the angular position of the shaft could be determined from the shaft voltage. An experimental 20 kVA 2-pole synchronous generator was designed and built which resembled a full-size 600 MVA turbo-generator. The effects of a static eccentricity on the shaft voltage were successfully determined firstly through FEM simulation and then verified with physical measurements. Shaft voltages can be used to diagnose static eccentricity, future work should investigate other faults. In addition, computer simulation was found to be effective and simulation and measurements of operating machines (such as turbo-generators) should be considered.