Radio Frequency Sensing of Incipient Arcing Faults within Large Turbine Generators

Sensing of incipient faults within large turbine generators (> 500 MW) is very important because a persistent minor abnormality may suddenly develop into a major fault and cause extensive damage before conventional early warning sensors can respond. Consequently, there is a need for a reliable sensing system which will respond to the early arcing stage of a fault, when insulation surfaces are not at a sufficiently high temperature to emit particulates and activate the conventional Core or Generator Condition Monitor.