FEM-Analytical Hybrid Model for Real Time Simulation of IMs Under Static Eccentricity Fault

The detection of abnormal eccentricity levels is a key issue for induction machines reliability, as it is related to the development of mechanical faults that produce most of induction motor (IM) breakdowns. To favour the development of on-line fault diagnosis techniques, it is necessary to have real-time currents to test the new techniques and devices under a wide variety of scenarios. Models running in real time in hardware in the loop (HIL) simulators could have a major impact in the development of the fault diagnosis techniques as they are free of the main drawbacks of test benches (high material and time costs, limited fault conditions that can be tested). These models must be accurate enough and they must run in real time. In this paper, a model of IM considering the static eccentricity (SE) fault is presented. The model takes advantage of the accuracy of the finite element method (FEM) to compute the coupling parameters which are used in an analytical model which can run in real-time in a HIL simulator. The model has been used to track the evolution of the SE related components in the stator current of an IM for several fault severity degrees.