Insulation testing: Dielectric testing explained
A motor's insulation system prevents winding faults, but time, usage, moisture and other contaminants will inevitably cause the insulation to deteriorate. Around 30% of electric motor failures result from electrical insulation breakdown, the second biggest cause of failure after bearing issues. Therefore, it is important to identify and predict early signs of insulation degradation for a clear picture of motor health, reducing the risk of unplanned downtime and catastrophic failure.
A properly implemented testing regime can find early indications of insulation weakness and faults in windings, between phases or coils, and in ground wall insulation. It can also detect problems with connections, such as feed cable insulation weakness, motor imbalances, and open or high resistance.
Houghton International begins a testing routine by checking the balance between the motor's phases using a phase resistance test. The reading for each phase is compared to identify any anomalies that may indicate problems. High resistance in a phase may be a sign of bad electrical joints or breakage within the coil or copper.
To check suitability to carry out high voltage testing, Insulation Resistance (IR) and Polarisation Index (PI) are then tested. These two tests provide a good indicator of the strength of the windings' external (coil to earth) insulation. The IR reading is taken after applying the test voltage for one minute. A second reading is taken at 10 minutes then divided by the first reading to calculate the PI. Houghton International would consider a PI of below two a fail. This may be a sign of a fault in the coil to earth insulation or the presence of moisture or contamination, requiring further investigation.
If the IR and PI results are satisfactory, a High Potential test is then performed. Tests carried out at operating voltage may not detect smaller instances of insulation deterioration, so the High Potential test uses a higher voltage to stress insulation and detect these smaller dielectric breakdowns.
Insulation breakdown may not only occur in the external insulation, but also between turns (the individual strands of copper) within the motor windings. All coils should be nearly identical, so surge test readings from a coil or phase can be compared to identify indications of breakdowns in turn to turn insulation, dry joints or incorrect winding connections.
High voltage motors can exhibit high partial discharge (PD) levels, where localised corona discharge causes deterioration, eventually leading to insulation breakdown. Standard diagnostic tests don't detect this, so a motor can appear healthy despite high levels of corona discharge. PD testing identifies these localised weak and aged points of the insulation.
Electrical testing can be carried out in situ, making the process relatively quick and easy with minimal disruption. It can be carried out as a one-off assessment, but testing at regular intervals is recommended to provide a trending measure of dielectric integrity and build a more complete picture of machine health. For instance, high PD levels may be present in a motor, but if these levels remain consistent without worsening over time, they may not impact the operation of the motor.
This is why results require interpretation, and experienced electrical motor repair engineers can draw on their knowledge of a wide range of machinery to interpret tests and provide recommendations on required maintenance and repairs. Visual checks are key and can be just as illuminating as advanced electrical testing when you know what you're looking for.
The most advanced equipment on the market is only as good as those who operate it, so it is essential to understand what you are looking for to fully benefit from the insights of electrical testing. However, the right knowledge and equipment provides a valuable picture of motor health to inform operational, maintenance, and capex decisions.
