Experience with partial discharge testing during voltage surges as required by IEC 60034-18-41 and 60034-18-42

This paper describes the stator winding insulation aging mechanisms that can be induced by low and medium voltage, voltage source converter drives and how IEC 60034-18-41 and IEC 60034-18-42 can be applied to qualify motor stator windings for use with them. IEC 60034-18-41 is a document that describes the procedures for qualifying the insulation system of low voltage motor stator windings supplied from voltage source converters. This technical specification requires the measurement of partial discharge during short-risetime voltage surges when the test object is a normal motor stator winding. IEC 60034-18-42 deals with procedures for qualifying form-wound, medium voltage stator windings for motors to be fed from voltage source converters. The procedures in this document deal with tests on the various components of the insulation system to be qualified.