-
Call us
-
Send us an Email
Call us
Send us an Email
Electrical machines demand high reliability insulation systems that remain thin enough to ensure their power density is not compromised. We regularly work with both insulation and machine manufacturers to evaluate the short and long term performance of insulation systems, ensuring that the insulation design is optimised for the specific application. Inverter fed machines lead to specific design challenges owing to the overshoots, rapid rise times and high frequency voltage transitions that are associated with these applications.
We can predict the partial discharge performance of insulation at the design stage, reducing the risk of prototype machines being developed with too thin an insulation system that would lead to failure from partial discharge attack. This analysis takes into account the ageing of the insulation as a result of the thermal profile applied to the machine and the environmental operating conditions.
Early evaluation of simple samples utilising twisted wires / hairpins can generate significant statistical data about a specific insulation material. Motorettes provide more complex test objects that are useful in evaluation the likely lifetime of an insulation system while the use of complete motors is usually reserved for when there is increased confidence in the underlying insulation choices.
We are able to manufacture a range of test samples including hairpins at the small volumes required for comparative evaluation. We have custom designed manufacturing jigs that allow us to produce specific bend radii and other small features usually seen in hairpin windings.
Our test facilities include the capability to carry out thermal ageing according to the protocols specified in standards such as IEC 60034-18-21 and IEC 60034-18-41. We have the ability to perform the vibration and humidity tests described in these standards along with partial discharge / withstand voltage testing. Our capability also allows us to carry out extended electrical ageing using DC, sinewave (50Hz – 2kHz) or PWM voltages (at switching frequencies of up to 100kHz depending on test object capacitance).
