Insulation Degradation with Vibration Analysis and Insulation Resistance Testing
Vibration analysis and Insulation Resistance Testing (IRT) were used to diagnose a motor problem. The analysis identified an anomaly, and the IRT confirmed insulation degradation, validating the initial suspicion.
Electrical engineers often question whether vibration analysis (VA) can actually detect electrical defects. Here’s a prime case where VA and Insulation Resistance Testing (IRT) worked together to diagnose a motor problem.
In this case study, vibration analysis identified an unusually high acceleration magnitude at Rotor Bar Frequency (9.42 g RMS), modulated by 2x Line Frequency. This anomaly raised concerns about insulation issues within the motor.
To confirm, we collaborated with the electrical team to perform an Insulation Resistance Test (IRT). The results:
• R15 = 175 MΩ
• R60 = 118 MΩ
• R60/R15 = 0.674
These readings confirmed insulation degradation in the motor, validating the suspicion raised by vibration analysis.
You can see Before/After Motor Insulation Fixation in vibration TimeWaveform.
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