This chapter has shown that chemical and wear analysis have been demonstrated to be effective global monitoring techniques for electrical machines which can produce narrow bandwidth (<1 Hz) signals. Chemical degradation of insulating materials and lubricants is detectable and can give bulk indications of the condition of an electrical machine. This is particularly important when it is considered how central insulation and lubrication integrity are to the long-term life of a machine.

Chapter Contents:

• 7.1 Introduction
• 7.2 Insulation degradation
• 7.3 Factors that affect detection
• 7.4 Insulation degradation detection
• 7.4.1 Particulate detection – core monitors
• 7.4.2 Particulate detection – chemical analysis
• 7.4.3 Gas analysis offline
• 7.4.4 Gas analysis online
• 7.5 Lubrication oil and bearing degradation
• 7.6 Oil degradation detection
• 7.7 Wear debris detection
• 7.7.1 General
• 7.7.2 Ferromagnetic techniques
• 7.7.3 Other wear debris detection techniques
• 7.8 Conclusions

Inspec keywords: lubricants; wear; electric machine analysis computing; condition monitoring; insulating materials; chemical engineering computing

Other keywords: chemical degradation; lubricants; insulating materials; wear analysis; lubrication integrity; insulation integrity; electrical machines; global monitoring techniques; chemical analysis; online chemical monitoring

Subjects: Power engineering computing; Other engineering applications of IT; Tribology (mechanical engineering); Insulation and insulating coatings; a.c. machines; Chemical engineering computing; d.c. machines; Maintenance and reliability