Traditional CSA (Current Signature Analysis) measurements can result in false alarms and/or misdiagnosis of healthy machines due to the presence of current frequency components in the stator current resulting from non-rotor related conditions such as mechanical load fluctuations, gearboxes, etc. Theoretical advancements have now made it possible to predict many of these components, thus making MCSA (Motor Current Signature Analysis) testing a much more robust and less error prone technology.
The operators of electrical drive systems are under continual pressure to reduce maintenance costs and prevent unscheduled outages that can result in lost production and revenue. The application of condition based maintenance strategies rely on specialized monitors to reliably provide a measure of the health of the drive system.
Thus, unexpected failures and consequent downtime may be avoided and/or the time between planned shutdowns for planned maintenance may be increased. Maintenance and operational costs are thus reduced. During the past twenty years, there has been a substantial amount of fundamental research into the creation of condition monitoring and diagnostic techniques for induction motor drives.
MCSA (Motor Current Signature Analysis)
Motor Diagnostic technologies have become even more prevalent through the 1990’s and into he new century. The technologies include both Motor Circuit Analysis (MCA) and Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA) applied to both energized and de-energized electric motor systems. The applications appear to be almost endless.
- AC Motors and Alternators
- IDC Motors and Generators
- Single and Three phase systems
- Eddy-Current drives
- Variable Frequency Drives
- Incoming power quality
Following also help with MCSA:
- Vibration Measurement and Analysis
- Thermal Imaging
- Oil Analysis and Tribology
- Ultrasonics
- Motor Current Analysis
The degradation of the insulation properties of an electric motor occurs due to a variety of reasons. Micro cracks appear due to starting, stopping, thermal stress, vibration, insulation defects etc.
Most maintenance professionals recognize that infrared thermography is a powerful predictive maintenance (PdM) tool because it detects problems in nearly any kind of mechanical or electrical equipment.
Because infrared imagers can monitor temperature buildup in an array of critical process systems, we use our instrument to detect underperforming heat exchangers as well as dysfunctional pumps, gearboxes, bearings and motors.
It’s important to detect overheating because hot windings deteriorate rapidly. In fact, every increase of 10°C on a motor’s windings above its design operating temperature cuts the insulation life, even if the overheating is only temporary.
A motor’s heat signature tells much about its quality and condition. Sioux perform vibration analysis as well as thermography on critical motors. If vibration analysis uncovers a problem, it’s likely that a thermal image will help pinpoint what’s wrong.
We keep thermographic records of motors that have given us problems. This allows us to make sure the corrective action we took was successful. Motors that are a chronic problem are subjected to root cause analysis.
