Impact of supply voltage variations on external magnetic field emitted by induction machines

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to study the influence of supply voltage variations on the external magnetic field emitted by grid-powered induction machines (IMs). Design/methodology/approach Two models are developed in the paper to analyse, for different supply voltage values, the influence of the variations of the magnetizing voltage for which there is a link with the tangential component of the external flux. The first is an analytical model based on the IM single-phase-equivalent circuit with variable magnetizing reactance to take into account the saturation of the magnetic circuit. The second is a numerical finite element simulation to model the same phenomenon. Results of both models are analysed with experimental measures of the external flux. Findings The study shows that the amplitude of the external field strongly depends on supply voltage values. Research limitations/implications The investigation is mainly focused on the tangential component of the external magnetic field which is of high importance concerning the applicability of non-invasive methods of diagnosis, as electromagnetic torque estimation developed by the authors or internal fault determination. Originality/value The originality of the paper concerns the characterization of the external flux with the supply voltage for IMs. It is shown that the magnetic circuit radiates external flux differently with the load and with the supply voltage.