Electrical Fault Detection in Three Phase Squirrel Cage Induction Motor by Vibration Analysis using MEMS Accelerometer

The ever increasing applications of 3phase Induction motor have resulted in a growing awareness on addressing various performance demands. The condition monitoring of these electrical machines has received considerable attention in recent years. The diagnostics based on vibrations produced by these motors can form valuable data for preventive maintenance of these machines. The vibration analysis demands appropriate vibration transducer. With the advent of MEMS [Micro Electro Mechanical Systems], Technology I.C. chip mounted accelerometers are available. These accelerometers are having merits of low cost, high reliability, and low power consumption when compared to piezoelectric types which are conventionally used earlier. These accelerometers are gaining wide acceptance in condition monitoring of electrical machines. This paper presents the instrumentation developed around MEMS accelerometer and also proposes a technique of detecting abnormal electrical operating conditions in 3phase Induction motor such as single phasing, voltage unbalance by employing spectrum analysis of vibrations measured through MEMS accelerometer.