Development of an Automated system for Fault detection and Protection in three phase Induction Motors.
Abstract
Induction motors are electro-mechanical devices used in most industrial
applications for the transformation of power from electrical to mechanical
form. Induction motors are the most commonly used AC motor especially
for industrial applications like goods and lift hoists, conveyers, pumps, etc.
Induction motors are AC motors widely used as actuators to produce
mechanical power in industrial applications because they are robust and
reliable [5].
Faults in the induction motor can either be mechanical or electrical stress
which can cause windings in the motor to get overheated which affects the
insulation of the winding hence reducing the life of the motor. Mechanical
stress is caused by overload and sudden load change which produces
vibration in the motor. Electrical stress is caused by short circuit,
temperature rise and other faults like single phasing. Faults in induction
motors include, over voltage, over current, overload, over temperature,
single phasing, and under-voltage, Faults are costly and can lead to
increased maintenance cost and downtime of the machine hence reducing
the productivity of the motors. In order to mitigate this issue, a fault
detection and protection system for induction motors can be used.
A protection system should be able to eliminate the power to the induction
motor when a fault occurs hence preventing any damage. An automated
fault detection system that is Arduino based can isolate the induction
motor in a timely manner hence protecting the motor from faults. An
induction motor with a reliable automated protection system runs
smoothly, has an expanded lifetime and also works more efficiently.