High Voltage High dV/dt Pulse Generator for Partial Discharge Testing with Adjustable Slew Rate

This paper addresses the challenge of testing motor insulation under high voltage transients caused by modern wide band gap semiconductor switches. These transients can stress the motor insulation, potentially leading to partial discharges and premature failure. Accurate assessment requires realistic voltage pulse patterns, necessitating a versatile test bench capable of accommodating various devices under test, including entire electric motors and motor winding. This paper presents a standalone high voltage and high dV/dt pulse generator designed to meet the diverse testing requirements of motor insulation. The generator allows for the simulation of realistic voltage pulse patterns, adjustable dV/dt parameters, and high peak currents necessary for accurate testing. Moreover, it allows lifetime experiments to investigate the ageing effects of partial discharge on insulation interfaces, thereby aiding in the development of reliable motor insulation systems.