Beyond IEEE Std 115 and API 546: Test Procedures for High-Speed Multimegawatt Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Machines

High-speed multimegawatt permanent-magnet (PM) machines have been proposed in the literature and offered for sale in a variety of petrochemical applications. Presently, the discussion of synchronous machines in both the IEEE Std 115 and American Petroleum Institute 546 excludes the consideration of PM synchronous machines. These machines pose special problems when attempting to apply the test procedures given for the wound-field synchronous machines in that many of the tests rely on the ability to adjust the field strength. In addition, a PM-rotor topology has different performance and robustness concerns than a wound-field machine, and those should be addressed. This paper attempts to outline a coherent method for evaluating high-speed PM machines by extending the test procedures outlined in IEEE Std 115 and presenting additional procedures specific to PM machines. Extended application guidelines will be discussed for high-speed multimegawatt machines. The differences between the risk profiles for the PM and wound-field machines will be highlighted with a particular emphasis on the risk mitigation via tests for the PM machine.