Lifetime predictions of medium voltage motor coil insulation when operated by PWM from SiC inverters.

As the push towards higher energy densities and efficiencies for electric machines continues it is imperative that all parts of the motor drive system are adapted to new developments and technologies. Recent developments in the semiconductor field have resulted in new wide bad gap (WBG) semiconductors such as silicon carbide (SiC) that are able to operate at higher voltages, switching frequencies, and efficiencies than traditional devices. These devices present a wonderful opportunity for all power inverters, but especially for medium voltage (MV) applications. However, these new WBG devices present new and increased stress for all parts of the machine lifetime including the winding insulation. To this end, it has already been observed that traditional understandings of insulation lifetime originally developed for Si inverter operation are ill-equipped for the greater stresses provided by WBG inverters especially in consideration of multi-stress models. Therefore, it is necessary to create new models for insulation lifetime and behavior that account for the increased multi-stress nature of operation with WBG devices. This dissertation presents a detailed modeling method developed for the investigation of insulation stress and lifetime prediction for MV form wound motor coils using a combination of finite element analysis (FEA) and SPICE modeling, and an experimental testbed and results for the accelerated aging of MV form wound coils for the validation of the proposed model and investigation of the electrical and thermal stress impact on insulation life. The work presented here is a key contribution in developing accurate lifetime and stress models for stator insulation for the prediction of stator failure which is of great interest to industry due to the high cost of machine downtime.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Sirizzotti, Ben G. (Benjamin G.), 1999-

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Agamloh, Emmanuel.
• von Jouanne, Annette.

• SiC.
• Insulation.
• Form wound coils.
• Sate of health.
• Coils.
• Analytical models.
• Silicon carbide.
• Switches.
• Impedance.
• Delamination.
• Integrated circuit modeling.
• Electric fields.
• Stress.
• Form wound insulation.
• Insulation defects.
• Insulation modeling.
• Finite element analysis.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13842

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13842