Method of nondestructive insulation test and a nondestructive insulation testing apparatus

• US 5,867,029 A
• Filed: 08/02/1996
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Iijima, Yasuo, Tsubokawa, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): BROCK, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US08/691,236
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 324/772, 324/546, 324/547, 324/551, 324/557, 324/523, 324/642
• US Class Current: 324/546
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/346 Testing of armature or field windings
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults

Abstract

A method of nondestructive insulation testing is disclosed which comprises the steps of: (a) placing an electric device, having a core and at least one winding provided on the core, in a reduced atmospheric pressure; (b) insulating the laminated core from the ground; (c) supplying a voltage signal having a first surge waveform to the winding; and detecting a glow discharge which may result from step (c) to detect an insulation condition of the winding, wherein the reduced atmospheric pressure ranges from 65 to 75 Torr and the voltage signal is applied in the first direction of the winding and then, is applied in the second, opposite, direction of the winding. This method may further comprise steps of: (d) supplying a second voltage signal having a second predetermined surge waveform having a peak voltage lower than a peak voltage of the predetermined surge waveform; (e) outputting a second output signal between the winding indicative of a second insulation condition of the winding in response to step (d); (f) measuring intervals corresponding to the wavelengths of the output signal and the second output signal respectively; and (g) judging the insulation condition by comparing the measured intervals to each other. A nondestructive insulation testing apparatus is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of nondestructive insulation testing, comprising the steps of:

(a) placing an electric device having a core and at least one winding provided on said core in a reduced atmospheric pressure;

(b) insulating said core from the ground;

(c) supplying a voltage signal having a surge waveform to said winding; and

detecting a glow discharge which may result from step (c) to detect an insulation condition of said winding.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reduced atmospheric pressure ranges from 1 to 100 Torr.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reduced atmospheric pressure ranges from 65 to 75 Torr.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voltage signal is applied in a first direction of said one winding and then, is applied in a second, opposite, direction of said winding.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising steps of:

outputting a first output signal between ends of said winding indicating said insulation condition;

(d) supplying a second voltage signal having a second predetermined surge waveform having a peak voltage lower than a peak voltage of said surge waveform;

(e) outputting a second output signal between ends of said winding indicative of a second insulation condition of said winding in response to step (d);

(f) measuring intervals corresponding to wavelengths of said first output signal and said second output signal respectively; and

(g) judging said insulation condition through comparing said measured intervals to each other.

6. A nondestructive insulation testing apparatus for detecting an insulation condition of an electric device, having at least one winding, insulated from the ground at a reduced atmospheric pressure comprising:

means for insulating said electric device from ground;

means for maintaining said electric device at a reduced atmospheric pressure;

surge voltage signal supplying means for supplying a first voltage signal having a predetermined surge waveform to said winding; and

signal output means for outputting an output signal between ends of said winding having a wavelength indicative of an insulation condition of said winding.

7. A nondestructive insulation testing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a second surge voltage signal supplying means for supplying a second voltage signal having a second predetermined surge waveform having a second peak voltage lower than a peak voltage of said predetermined surge waveform, second signal output means for outputting a second output signal between ends of said winding indicative of a second insulation condition of said winding in response to said second surge voltage signal supplying means, measuring means for detecting intervals corresponding to wavelengths of said output signal and second output signal respectively, and judging means for judging said insulation condition by comparing said measured intervals to each other.

8. A nondestructive insulation testing apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for maintaining said electric device at a reduced atmospheric pressure comprises:

containing means for airtightly containing said electric device;

pressure reducing means for generating said reduced atmospheric pressure in said containing means; and

holding means for holding said electric device in a predetermined insulated condition from the ground.

9. A nondestructive insulation testing apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said winding comprises a plurality of windings having lead wires and said containing means has through hole means through which said lead wires extend to couple said electric device to said surge signal generation means and said outputting means air-tightly.