An Analysis of Combined Stress Degradation of Rotating Machine Insulation

This paper presents a new method for estimating the life of rotating machine insulation under combined stresses. Since there already exist experimental formulae for each stress degradation (thermal, voltage, and mechanical), the method aims to derive a new formula for multiple stress degradation. The residual breakdown voltage should be a unified measure of degradation. In the method, the amounts of each single stress degradation are converted into that of voltage degradation, with the aid of the unified measure. The total degradation is estimated by summing up these amounts. When it attains the critical value of an insulation, the insulation loses its properties. Voltage endurance curves have been expressed as straight lines on either log-log or semi-log coordinate. Our new method of estimating the life of insulation under combined stresses is applicable to both cases. The interactive effects between stresses can be represented as the change of voltage degradation rate, and the residual breakdown voltage characteristics can be explained with no contradictions to the life characteristics.