Robust diagnosis algorithm for identifying broken rotor bar faults in induction motors

Abstract

This paper proposes a new diagnosis algorithm to detect broken rotor bars (BRBs) faults in induction motors. The proposed algorithm is composed of a frequency signal dimension order (FSDO) estimator and a fault decision module. The FSDO estimator finds a number of fault-related frequencies in the stator current signature. In the fault decision module, the fault diagnostic index from the FSDO estimator is used depending on the load conditions of the induction motors. Experimental results obtained in a 75 kW three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor show that the proposed diagnosis algorithm is capable of detecting BRB faults with an accuracy that is superior to a zoom multiple signal classification (ZMUSIC) and a zoom estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (ZESPRIT).