Partial discharge in electric motor fed by a PWM inverter: off-line and on-line detection

This paper deals with Partial Discharge (PD) detection in Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) inverter fed electric motors. The aim of this work is to detect PD activity in random wound motors, which is the main cause for premature breakdown of insulation system. Detection is performed thanks to a non-intrusive electromagnetic sensor. A high voltage power supply PWM has been built in order to test, offline, electric stators in conditions as close as possible to real electrical conditions. Then, on-line PD measurements have also been successfully carried out, in an engine test bench used to test and control electric vehicle (EV) powertrain.