2009 IEEE Electrical Insulation Conference, Montreal, QC, Canada, 31 May - 3 June 2009
Field Experience in Insulation Diagnosis of
Industrial High Voltage Motors using
Dielectric Response Technique
S.A. Bhumiwat
Independent High Voltage Diagnostics Consultant
P.O. Box 18-062 Glen Innes
Auckland 1743, New Zealand
Abstract- This article introduces the on-site non-destructive
dielectric response technique as a diagnosis tool for in-service
high voltage motors. It emphasizes the importance of
depolarization current which shall be measured in conjunction
with polarization current in order to identify the type of
insulation trouble, while the time-domain together with the
frequency-domain results give decisive information how healthy
the insulation is for continued operation.
I. INTRODUCTION
A failure of some high voltage motors in large industries
such as petroleum, refinery, cement, etc. means high
production loss. An ability to tell which motor will fail first
allows the industry enough time to plan for replacement, while
an ability to identify the cause or type of trouble gives the
maintenance people a clue for remedy. The use of non-
destructive diagnostic technique is important for in-service
motors to ensure that the insulation is not deteriorated by the
tests.
Since 2002 the author has applied dielectric spectroscopy in
time and frequency domain ([1] [2]) to assess the insulation
condition of rotating machines. The PDC-analyser as
described in [3], provides the non-destructive time-domain
measurement results of both polarization and depolarization
currents, in addition to the frequency-domain evaluation
results of capacitance and tan delta (or dissipation factor). The
time-domain evaluation results of insulation resistance and
recovery voltage polarization spectrum are also included. The
details how to perform healthy and accurate PDC
measurement on rotating machines are described in [4],
starting from isolation and discharging, temperature and
humidity influence, test connection, ground reference and
measurement procedures. In that paper, the interpretation of
PDC results was presented through a case study of faulty
machine.
The article [5], which is the continuation of [4], provides a
proposal of the methodology for interpretation of PDC results
through a number of case studies. It demonstrates that the
majority of insulation trouble in rotating machines can be
identified independently by time-domain PDC measurement
results but cannot be identified by the frequency-domain
dielectric responses alone. Nevertheless the frequency-domain
PDC evaluation results facilitate the decision on acceptability
978-1-4244-3917-1/09/$25.00 2009 IEEE
for continued operation. Suggested in-service criteria for
phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground insulation of stators are
included.
While those details in [4] and [5] are mostly based on field
experience with generator stators, it is the intention of this
article to prove that they also apply well to motor stators
which are mostly subjected to higher switching stress in
service. Motors in large industries which run continuously
high load have high thermal stress as well.
Two case studies are presented. In case 1, the 1,500 kW 11
kV compressor motor was tested about 3 months before
ground fault of the stator coil and after rewound. Case 2
presents the dielectric responses of two identical 3,500 kW, 11
kV compressor stators with one in acceptable insulation
condition but the other in very poor condition especially the
phase-to-phase insulation in the slots.
II. PRINCIPLE OF TEST ARRANGEMENT
The principle of test arrangement for Polarization
Depolarization Current (PDC) measurement on phase-to-phase
and ground insulation was presented in [4]. The current during
charging or polarization consists of absorption current due to
polarization phenomena (deterioration products e.g.
discharges-by-products, oxidation-by-products, etc.) and
conduction current caused by conduction phenomena
(contaminants e.g. moisture, carbon dusts, etc.) while the
current during discharging or depolarization refers to
absorption current only. When the conduction is low (e.g.
good & dry), the polarization current and the depolarization
current will be nearly equal especially at the initial time of e.g.
20 seconds during 1,000 seconds charging duration. This is
how the technique identifies conduction and polarization,
the two major properties (or major troubles) of any electrical
insulation. So it is important that the depolarization current is
measured in conjunction with the polarization current.
III. DIELECTRIC RESPONSES OF A MOTORS STATOR
BEFORE GROUND FAULT AND AFTER REWOUND
The 1,500 kW, 11 kV compressor stator had ground fault.
The failure site was located in the top coil side within the slot
portion towards the non-connection end. The fault site was an
extended region starting 20 mm in the slot portion and
454
extending 80/100 mm towards the slot centre. Erosion was absorption current but slightly lower conduction current
found in most areas, more on the top coil side than the than after rewound. Erosion of stator coils (mostly due to
bottom side. Conductive coating was nearly all abraded. Fig. vibration) and some by-products of slot discharge increased
1 presents the time-domain PDC measurement results, PDC the absorption current before failure while surface humidity
evaluation results of Insulation Resistance and Recovery slightly increased the conduction current after rewound. The
Voltage Polarization Spectrum, in addition to the frequency- PDC analysis 3 months before ground fault concluded that
domain PDC evaluation results of Tan Delta and the machine was unsafe for continued operation due to the
Capacitance Ratio of 3-phase ground insulation about 3 low insulation resistance especially at 15 seconds (0.68
months before ground fault and after rewound, with a photo G), the low charging time (only 10 s.) at the first peak of
of the failed coil. The star-point of this stator could not be recovery voltage polarization spectrum and the approaching
accessed for isolation. to the suggested maximum in-service limits (in [5]) of Tan
The polarization current together with the depolarization Delta and Capacitance Ratio.
current before the fault reveals higher amplitude of

1.E-05 1.E+11
PDC at 100 V At 30 o C
1.E-06

Resistance (Ohm)
1.E+10
Current (A)

1.E-07
1.E+09
1.E-08 Before, I pol.
Before, Idepol
1.E+08 After rewound
1.E-09 After, Ipol.
Before fault
After, Idepol.
1.E-10 1.E+07
1 10 100 1,000 10,000 1 10 100 1,000 10,000
T ime (s)
T ime (s)

1.E+01 1.E+00
Capacitance Ratio

1.E-01
Tan Delta

Suggested Max. in-service limits

Before fault Before fault

After rewound 1.E-02
After rewoun d
Suggested max. in-service limits-
1.E+00
for ground insulation
1.E-03
1.E-04 1.E-03 1.E-02 1.E-01 1.E+00 1.E-04 1.E-03 1.E-02 1.E-01 1.E+00
Frequency (Hz) Frequency (Hz)

1.E+02
Max. Recovery Voltage (V)

At charging voltage 500V

1.E+01
Before fault
After rewound

1.E+00
1 10 100 1,000 10,000
Charging T ime (s)

Fig. 1. PDC measurement results and PDC evaluation results at 30oC of ground insulation of the Stator in case I , with a photo of the failed coil

455

IV. DIELECTRIC RESPONSES OF TWO IDENTICAL STATORS
HAVING DIFFERENT INSULATION CONDITIONS
PDC analysis was applied to two identical 3,500 kW, 11 kV
Compressor stator A and B. Since the star-point of each phase
could be isolated individually and from earth, both phase-to-
phase and phase-to-ground insulation could be measured. The
time-domain PDC measurement results, PDC evaluation
results of Recovery Voltage Polarization Spectrum, in addition
to the frequency- domain PDC evaluation results of Tan Delta
and Capacitance Ratio of ground insulation are presented in
fig. 2 while the phase-to-phase insulation are in fig. 3.
For stator B, each phase of ground insulation had quite
similar PDC results and each pair of phase-to-phase insulation
also had similar responses. So the results of this stator appear
only phase U to ground (U-G) in fig. 2 and between phase U
and V (U-V) in fig. 3. All results of stator B were acceptable.
For stator A, each phase of ground insulation had slightly
different results but its condition was much poorer than stator
B. The higher amplitude of both polarization current (Ipol)
and depolarization current (Idepol) refers to higher absorption
currents or lower insulation resistance. Though not clearly
seen in fig. 2, the polarization current and the depolarization
current of stator A ground insulation were not very close from
the initial time like stator B, which sometimes refers to
leakage. The PDC evaluation results of tan delta were
approaching the suggested maximum in-service limits [5] and
the capacitance ratio was higher than stator B. The
disassembly (for rewound) a few months later revealed the
abraded ground-wall insulation and conductive paint of the
coil, as shown in fig. 4, likely caused by vibration.
All three pairs of phase-to-phase insulation of stator A were
in very bad condition and risky for continued operation. The
dielectric responses of U-V and V-W were quite similar. In
fig. 3, the results of polarization current of each pair show
rather high surface conduction, also with the separation of
polarization current from the depolarization current at < 10 s.
These are considered serious. The initial absorption current is
high, compared to stator B. The first peak of recovery voltage
polarization spectrum appears at very short charging time (< 1
s. for U-V and V-W). In addition, the PDC evaluation results
of tan delta and capacitance ratio exceed the suggested
maximum in-service limit for continued operation. The
deteriorated phase-to-phase slot packer removed from stator A
is included in fig. 3.
V. CONCLUSION
The earlier the polarization current separates from the
depolarization current, the faster the motor insulation is going
to fail. The depolarization current is as important as the
polarization current in the diagnosis of insulation trouble.
Failure of the service-aged high voltage motors in large
industries can be prevented by the on-site non-destructive
dielectric response technique which provides both time-
domain and frequency-domain results.

1.E-06 1.E+02
Max. Recovery Voltage (V)

Ground insulation At charging voltage 500 V

at 50 V
1.E-07
Current (A)

1.E-08 1.E+01
A: I pol. A: U-G
A: I depol. A: V-G
1.E-09
B: I pol. A: W-G
B: I depol. B: U-G
1.E-10 1.E+00
1 10 100 1,000 1 10 100 1,000 10,000
T ime (s)
Charging T ime (s)

1.E+01 1.E+00
Suggested max. in-service limits
Suggested max. in-service limits for ground insulation
for ground insulation
Capacitance Ratio

1.E-01
Tan Delta

A: U-G
A: V-G
A: W-G A: U-G
1.E-02
B: U-G A: V-G
A: W-G
B: U-G
1.E+00 1.E-03
1.E-03 1.E-02 1.E-01 1.E+00 1.E-04 1.E-03 1.E-02 1.E-01 1.E+00
Frequency (Hz) Frequency (Hz)

Fig. 2. PDC measurement results and PDC evaluation results of ground insulation of two identical Stators in case II

456
 1.E-07 1.E-07
Phase-to-phase insulation Phase-to-phase insulation
of A & B at 500 V of A & B at 500 V
Current (A)

Current (A)
1.E-08 1.E-08

W-U: Ipol.
B: Idepol.
1.E-09 W-U: Idepol. 1.E-09 B: Ipol.
U-V: Ipol.
A (U-V): Ipol.
U-V: Idepol.
A (U-V): Idepol.
1.E-10 1.E-10
1 10 100 1,000 1 10 100 1,000
T ime (s) T ime (s)
1.E+01 1.E+01
Suggested max. in-service limits Suggested max. in-service limits
for phase-to-phase insulation for phase-to-phase insulation
Capacitance Ratio

1.E+00

Tan Delta
A: U-V
A: V-W A: U-V
A: W-U 1.E-01
A: V-W
A: W-U
B: U-V B: U-V
1.E+00 1.E-02
1.E-04 1.E-03 1.E-02 1.E-01 1.E+00 1.E-04 1.E-03 1.E-02 1.E-01 1.E+00
Frequency (Hz) Frequency (Hz)

1.E+02
Max. Recovery Voltage (V)

At charging voltage 500 V

A: U-V
A: V-W
A: W-U
B: U-V
1.E+01
1 10 100 1,000 10,000
Charging T ime (s)

Fig. 3. PDC measurement results and PDC evaluation results of phase-to-phase insulation of two identical Stators in case II,
with a photo of the deteriorated phase-to-phase slot packer and the coil

REFERENCES
[1] W. S. Zaengl, Dielectric spectroscopy in time and frequency domain
for HV power equipment, Part I: Theoretical considerations. IEEE EI
Magazine, vol. 19 no. 5, September/ October 2003, pp. 5-19.
[2] W. S. Zaengl, Applications of dielectric spectroscopy in time and
frequency domain for HV power equipment. IEEE Electrical Insulation
Magazine, vol. 19 no. 6 November/December 2003 pp. 9-22.
[3] J. Alff, V. Der Houhanessian, W. S. Zaengl and A.J. Kachler, "A novel,
compact instrument for the measurement and evaluation of relaxation
currents conceived for on-site diagnosis of electrical power apparatus,"
in 2000 IEEE International Symposium on Electrical Insulation,
Anaheim, USA, April 2-5, 2000, pp. 161-167.
[4] S. Bhumiwat, Application of polarisation depolarisation current (PDC)
technique on fault and trouble analysis of stator insulation, in CIGRE
Fig. 4. The coil of stator A with abraded insulation and conductive paint SC A1 & D1 Joint Colloquium, Gyeongju, Korea, October 24, 2007 pp.
79-87 [can be downloaded from www.kea-consultant.com].
[5] S. Bhumiwat, Practical experiences on condition assessment of Stator
insulation using Polarisation / Depolarisation Current technique, in
CIGRE 2008 Session, Paris, August 24-29, 2008 pp. D1-210.

457