International Journal of Energetica (IJECA)

[Link]
ISSN: 2543-3717 Volume 8. Issue 1. 2023 Page 12-18

Analysis for inter turn stator fault with load variation in Induction
Motor

Hakima Cherif1*, Madiha Maamir1 , Seif Eddine Chehaidia2

1
LGEB Laboratory, University of Biskra, ALGERIA
2
National Polytechnic School of Constantine, ALEGRIA

*Corresponding author E-mail:hakimacherif25@[Link]

Abstract – This paper investigates the impact of load variation on the diagnosis of
inter-turn stator faults in induction machines. The proposed detection technique relies
on the analysis of stator current using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) in both
normal and faulty states of the machine. The energy of the approximation and detail
signals obtained from DWT provides valuable information about the machine's health
and the severity of the inter-turn stator faults. Experimental tests were conducted using
a dSpace 1104 signal card-based interface to study the load effects in detecting and
diagnosing stator inter-turn short circuit faults in induction motor.

Keywords: Induction Motor, fault detection, diagnosis, Inter Turns Short Circuit Fault
(ITSC), Discrete Wavelet Energy (DWE).

Received: 15/04/2023 – Revised: 28/05/2023 – Accepted: 15/06/2023

I. Introduction
as overcurrent, overvoltage, and earth-fault protection to
Induction motors play a crucial role in various ensure safe and reliable operation. However, as the tasks
industrial applications by converting electrical power into performed by these machines became more complex,
mechanical energy. These electromechanical devices are there was a need for improvements in fault diagnosis
widely employed globally and are considered the techniques. Nowadays, diagnosing faults when they
workhorses of industrial operations. Induction motors are occur has become crucial, as unscheduled downtime of
known for their robustness, making them suitable for a machines can disrupt deadlines and result in significant
wide range of applications, including hazardous financial losses [1]. Hence, it is imperative to diagnose
environments and challenging operating conditions. the health of induction motors to minimize maintenance
Induction motors can experience failures due to costs. Published surveys have indicated that induction
various environmental or internal factors. These faults motor failures encompass various types of faults. The
often exhibit subtle symptoms but can lead to increased most common failures include bearing-related faults,
energy consumption, reduced efficiency, and diminished accounting for 40% of failures, followed by short circuits
performance. Even minor faults can result in losses and in stator windings at 38%. Rotor faults constitute
elevated temperatures, leading to insulation deterioration approximately 10% of failures, while other types of
in the windings and potentially reducing bearing lifespan faults, such as end ring faults, make up the remaining
due to increased vibration levels. The history of fault 12% [2].
diagnosis and protection for electrical machines dates Research indicates that stator winding faults are the
back to the early stages of their development. Initially, second most common type of failures in induction
manufacturers and users relied on basic protections such machines, following bearing faults. However, detecting

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bearing faults is comparatively easier through physical II. Materials and Methods
examination. In small motors, abnormal noise produced
by the machine can be a telltale sign of bearing faults, II.1. Experimental setup
while large motors are equipped with temperature
sensors for online monitoring, where a rise in Experimental data were obtained from a squirrel-cage
temperature indicates a fault. Stator faults typically induction motor with the following specifications: three-
originate as minor inter-turn short circuits (ITSC) within phase, 50 Hz frequency, Y connection, 4 poles, 46 bars,
a coil. These short circuits arise due to hotspots forming and a power rating of 1.1 kW. The motor was directly
in the winding. ITSC can progress into more severe supplied by the network with a voltage of 400V (Un). It
faults, such as phase-to-earth or phase-to-phase short was specially rewound to allow for the external
circuits. The high current resulting from these short manipulation of the number of turns in each phase
circuits further elevates the winding temperature, leading winding, enabling easy creation of inter-turn short circuit
to insulation deterioration and eventual failure. Detecting (ITSC) faults. Stator current data was recorded using
and diagnosing ITSC faults at an early stage is crucial in current sensors connected to the interface of a dSpace
preventing significant damage to the stator core. By card 1104, and the data was stored on a PC (Figure 1).
identifying inter-turn short circuits before insulation The data acquisition process utilized a sampling
failure occurs, the motor can be rewound, averting a frequency of 10 kilo samples per second for all
complete machine failure. Typically, the rewinding experimental tests conducted.
process is faster and more cost-effective than replacing
the entire motor [3,4] .
Several offline and online techniques are available for
the detection and diagnosis of stator winding faults. In
this context, non-intrusive methods that rely solely on
voltage and current measurements from motor terminals,
without requiring additional sensors, are generally
preferred [5]. One such non-invasive method is motor
current signature analysis (MCSA), which has
demonstrated its efficiency in identifying stator winding
faults [6]. Recently, various stator winding fault
detection techniques have been extensively discussed in
the literature, including analysis of axial flux [7],
vibration monitoring, Extended Park's Vector Approach Figure 1. Workbench used in tests
(EPVA) [5], detection of negative sequence current [8],
negative sequence impedance [9], residual saturation
harmonics [10], and multiple reference frame theory
[11]. To extract fault-related information from stator
current signals, signal processing tools such as Fast
Fourier Transform (FFT), Short-time Fourier Transform
(STFT), Wavelet transform (WT) [4,16], and Power
Spectral Density (PSD) estimation have been introduced
[12-17].
This paper explores the utilization of energy derived
from the analysis of stator current using Discrete Wavelet
Transform (DWT) to diagnose inter-turn short circuit
faults in induction motors under varying load conditions.
By harnessing the multi-resolution analysis capabilities To modify the stator of the motor, an alteration was
of DWT, the proposed approach enhances fault diagnosis made by incorporating five additional connections that
accuracy and reliability. The study validates the were linked to the stator coils of the three phases. This
effectiveness through experimental investigations, modification can be observed in the schematic winding
offering valuable insights for real-world implementation. diagram provided in Figure 2.
This research contributes to improved motor diagnostics,
leading to enhanced reliability and operational efficiency.

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The opposite ends of these external wires were Table 1. Frequency bands for the wavelet signal
connected to a motor terminal box, which facilitated the
Level Frequency Bands (Hz)
introduction of inter-turn short circuits (ITSC) with
varying numbers of turns across different phases, as D1 2500-5000
depicted in Figure 2. D2 1250-2500
The duration of the fault was controlled through the D3 625-1250
utilization of a specialized circuit, comprising a relay D4 312.5-625
contactor that was controlled by an 'Mega2560' Arduino D5 156.25-312.5
card, as illustrated in Figure 3.
D6 78.125-156.25
This setup allowed for the application of the fault for a
D7 39.0625-78.125
specified duration, typically a few seconds, to protect the
machine from potential damage D8 19.531-39.0625
D9 9.765-19.531

This study focuses on detecting inter-turn short

circuit (ITSC) faults under various load conditions. The
detection process is accomplished by calculating the
energy of the detail coefficients derived from the discrete
wavelet transform (DWT) of the stator current. The
analysis considers different scenarios, including healthy
operation and ITSC faults occurring under different load
conditions. Detailed explanations of the methodology
and findings related to this detection approach will be
provided in the upcoming sections.

II.2. Algorithm for fault detection

Figure 5 illustrates the sequential steps required to

implement the discrete wavelet energy (DWE) based
methodology for diagnosing inter-turn short circuit
(ITSC) faults.

Figure 2. Tappings connected to the stator coils of the stator phase W1-
W2

Figure 3. Circuit to control the time of the ITSC fault by ‘Arduino card’

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motor was initially started with no load after charging,

and then the ITSC fault was applied with a load for a
duration of 2 seconds using the time control circuit (refer
to Figure 3). This allowed us to observe the impact of the
fault under different load conditions. The short duration
of the ITSC fault enabled multiple uses of the machine in
the tests.
This section presents the current behavior of the A-phase
in both healthy and ITSC states (with 2% and 5% turns
shorted) under different load levels (25%, 50%, 75%, and
full load). It is worth noting that:

 healthy stat

As the load increases, there is an observed increase in the

A-phase current in different states.

 ITSC fault stats

The stator current of the A-phase shows a significant
Figure 5. Flowchart for the DWE-based diagnosis methodology increase, particularly in the 5% ITSC fault state, where
the current value surpasses the nominal value of the
The proposed methodology utilizes the motor, especially under a load of 75%. In the case of the
application of the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to 2% ITSC fault, the current increase is comparatively
the stator current signal under healthy and inter-turn short lower since the number of turns shorted is negligible in
circuit (ITSC) fault conditions with varying loads. By comparison to the total turns of the winding.
employing this method, the sideband harmonics
generated during the fault can be extracted, and the III.2. Analyses the results by DWE
energy of the detail coefficient is calculated. This
approach enables the diagnosis of the fault by comparing The evaluation of the forecasted causes of the defect
the values of the detail coefficient energy between the cannot be directly assessed in the temporal space.
healthy and ITSC fault states under different load However, by analyzing the stator current using Discrete
conditions. The discrete wavelet energy (DWE) serves as Wavelet Transform (DWT), the energy obtained from
a reliable indicator for detecting and diagnosing ITSC different harmonic components can provide valuable
faults, while also considering the effects of varying loads information about the effect of load on the fault. The
on the fault diagnosis process. impact of load variation on the "short circuit" defect
becomes evident through the energy stored at certain
III. EXPREMENTAL RESULT levels.
Energy Analyzing the results, it is observed that the
III.1. Validation energy stored in level d7, corresponding to the frequency
band [78.125-39.0625Hz], depends on the degree of the
To validate the proposed method, a series of tests fault and the load. The energy increases with higher loads
were conducted using a specialized of 4-pole 1.1 kW and an increased percentage of inter-turn short circuit.
industrial induction motor that was rewound for the Fig 8 Illustrates the results of the energy variation,
purpose. This motor was equipped with an external represented by the discrete wavelet detail coefficient in
connection box (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3) which level 7 (Ed7) of the stator current (A-phase), for the
allowed for the external creation of an ITSC fault. To motor in healthy and ITSC fault states (2% and 5%) with
vary the load, the motor was coupled with a powder different load conditions. Ed7 serves as a clear indicator
brake. The experiments were carried out at a supply of the effect of both load and ITSC fault, particularly
frequency of 50 Hz. when the number of turns shorted is small (2%).
Figure 6 and Figure 7 depict the stator current of the A- Therefore, studying the behavior of Ed7 values allows
phase while the induction machine operates in both for the diagnosis of the induction motor in ITSC fault
healthy and ITSC fault conditions at various loads. The under different load conditions.

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5 healthy 5
healthy ITSC 2% healthy healthy ITSC 5%
no load 25% load 25% load no load 25% load 25% load

Ia(s)
Ia(A)

0 0

-5 -5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
t(s) t(s)

5 5 ITSC 5%
healthy healthy ITSC 2% healthy healthy 50% load
no load 50% load 50% load no load 50% load
Ia (A)

Ia(A)
0 0

-5 -5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
t(s) t(s)
ITSC 5%
5 5 healthy
75% load
healthy healthy ITSC 2% healthy
no load 75% load 75% load no load 50% load
Ia(A)
Ia(s)

0 0

-5
-5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
t(s)
t(s)

ITSC 5%
5 ITSC 2% 5 100% load
healthy healthy healthy healthy
no load 100% load 100% load 100% load
no load
Ia(s)

Ia(A)

0 0

-5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -5
t(s) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
t(s)
Figure 6. Stator current of the A-phase in different cases: healthy and Figure 7. Stator current of the A-phase in different cases: healthy
ITSC 2% under different load (no load, 25%, 50%, 75%, full load) and ITSC 5% under different load (no load, 25%, 50%, 75%, full
load).

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(healthy) of the machine. However, the energy increase is

more pronounced in the faulty cases (ITSC) of the motor

Figure 9. Comparison of energy variation for three cases (health and

faulty state: 2% and 5% ITSC) at different load: no load, 25%, 50%,
75% and full load respectively.

IV. Conclusions
An essential aspect to consider during the detection
of faults is the behavior of primary faults in a motor
operating under various loads. Detecting faults becomes
difficult due to large variations in load .The amplitude
and frequency of the spectral components associated with
the faults also change with loads. Thus, evaluating the
amplitudes of the fault components requires a load
calculation. Next, it can be seen that motor faults,
specifically ITSC faults are depend on the torque applied
to the motor.
This study investigates the impact of load on the
detection and diagnosis of stator inter-turn short circuits
fault. The diagnostic approach employed in this research
focuses on analyzing the energy of the stator current
using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT). The proposed
wavelet-based energy technique successfully captures
valuable characteristics from the stator current,
particularly in non-stationary conditions, within an
induction motor.

Declaration
[Link] energy variation in frequency bands for different cases
 The authors declare that they have no known
(a): Healthy with deferent load (no load , 25%,50% ,75% and full load)
(b): ITSC fault 2% with deferent load (no load , 25%,50% ,75% and full load)
financial or non-financial competing interests in any
(c): ITSC fault 5% with deferent load (no load , 25%,50% ,75% and full load) material discussed in this paper.
 The authors declare that this article has not been
published before and is not in the process of being
Fig. 9 illustrates the relationship between the energy published in any other journal.
stored at level 7 (Ed7) and the different loads applied on
 The authors confirmed that the paper was free of
motor. It can be observed that the energy Ed7 rises with
plagiarism.
an increase in load for the normal operating condition

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