Magnetic measurements for the optimisation of the magnetic circuits of three-phase machines

Measuring program

For the optimisation of the magnetic circuits of high performance three-phase synchronous machines and three-phase asynchronous machines in co-operation with a manufacturer

EPSTEIN specimens
toroidal core specimens

were examined.
The measurements imply the determination

of the hysteresis losses P(J)Hyst. in a quasi-static field
of the magnetisation characteristics J(H) to Hmax ≈ 30,000A/m dependent on frequency
of the specific total losses P(J) on the frequencies 50 – 60 – 150 – 180 – 250 – 300 – 350 – 420Hz

The specific total losses P(J) were determined

at a sinusoidal curve shape J(t) = J^*sinωt of the polarisation
at a trapezoidal curve shape of the polarisation J(t)
at further curve shapes of the polarisation J(t).

Ergebnisse (Auswahl)

Magnetisation characteristic curves J(H)
As expected the J(H)-characteristics of the EPSTEIN-specimens differ from those of the toroidal core specimens in the range below the knee of the curves.

As shown in the diagram the J(H)-characteristics do not depend

on the shape of the specimen
on the frequency f

for measured values J > 1.50T.

Characteristic curves of the total losses P(J)

Main points of these measurements were the determination of curves of the total losses P(J, f)

dependent on frequency
dependent on different time functions of the polarization J(t) resp. the flux density B(t)

There were different P(J)-characteristics for the EPSTEIN and the core specimens.
The client was interested in the characteristic curves P(J) for J > 1.50T.

Loss measurements with trapezoidal polarisation J(t)

The transmissibility of the measured loss values P(J) to the magnetic circuits in the electrical machines is problematic. So the sinusoidal curve shape J(t) = J^*sin_(ωt)of the polarization, given by the standard for measurements of the total losses, in general is not characteristically for the operation conditions in electrical machines.
For this reason the losses P(J) were additionally measured with non-sinusoidal time functions of the polarisation J(t). The investigations are described by an example of a loss measurement with a trapezoidal polarisation J(t).

For the trapezoidal time function of the polarisation J(t)

the flanks with a constant rise dΦ/dt ~ dJ (t)/dt ≈ const.
the plateau with J = J^ = const. and with a rise dΦ/dt ~ dJ (t)/dt = 0

are characteristic.
The changes of the magnetic state occur in the trailing and the rising edges, the losses depend on the rises dJ (t)/dt.
The time periods

with dynamic magnetisation (hysteresis – & eddy current losses)
with static magnetisation (eddy current losses)

can be separately evaluated.

Both the measured magnetisation characteristics J(H) as well as the loss characteristics P(J) could be very well mathematically described.

In co-operation with an engine manufacturer

– the J(H)-magnetisation characteristics
– the P(J)-loss characteristics

of the used electrical steel were determined.
Specimens were EPSTEIN-strips and toroidal cores.

The magnetisation conditions in the cores of the E-machines were approximated by variation of the measuring parameters.
The magnetic characteristic functions J(H) and P(J), which were finally formulated, agreed very well with the results of the measurements.