Bearing failures diagnosis in three-phase induction motors by extended Park´s vector approach

This paper introduces a new approach, based on the spectral analysis of the motor current Park´s vector modulus, for diagnosing the occurrence of bearing faults in three-phase induction motors. The major theoretical principles of the extended Park´s vector approach are described. Experimental tests with artificial bearing damages were conducted by applying the conventional vibration and motor current spectral analyses as well as the extended Park´s vector approach. The sensitivity of these methods was compared in order to evaluate the usefulness of the new approach for the development of reliable and convincing unified condition monitoring systems. Additionally, this paper presents a new technique for artificially introducing bearing damages regarding the experimental simulation of several failure types, such as pitting, fluting or false brinelling.