Enhanced Performance of Three‐Phase Induction Motor Based Inter‐Turn Faults Using Finite Element

ABSTRACT

This paper describes an in‐depth investigation of the different impacts of inter‐turn faults (ITFs) on the performance of a squirrel cage induction motor (SCIM), also referred to as a three‐phase induction motor, through the application of finite element analysis (FEA). In this case, there are three different faults investigated: a 10%, 20%, and 30% inter‐turn short circuit (ITSC) fault each compared to the reference point referred to as the healthy state. With the purpose of assessing the impact of these faults, simulation using FEA is carried out with utmost precision using ANSYS Maxwell program, which enables effective assessment of the different ways the motor's electromagnetic performance is affected by the three different fault conditions. The findings from such analysis include significant changes in different motor parameters such as flux distribution, flux density, output power, phase currents, and electromagnetic torque when the faults are compared to the healthy state. It is worth noting the gradual degradation of motor performance corresponding to the increase in severity of the fault and the associated impacts, and in the process, providing one of the most important pieces of information concerning the importance of early fault detection for efficient performance of the motor.