International Journal of Electrical and Electronics

Engineering Research (IJEEER)

ISSN(P): 2250-155X; ISSN(E): 2278-943X
Vol. 4, Issue 5, Oct 2014, 53-62
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

SIMULATION OF AC TO AC CONVERTER FED INDUCTION MOTOR FOR FAULT

DETECTION AND REDUCED HARMONIC CONTENT
AMIT KUMAR SHARMA, RAKESH KUMAR KUMAWAT & ASHOK KUMAR SHARMA
University College of Engineering, Rajasthan Technical University, Kota, Rajasthan, India

ABSTRACT
This paper presents the results of an analysis regarding the fault tolerant action of a three phase induction motor.
The various fault conditions have been considered as open leg fault, blowing off one IGBT in one phase, blowing off one
IGBT in two different phases and line to ground fault. An SPC reconfiguration strategy is used for the fault tolerant voltage
source inverter. The faulty inverter leg is connected between the capacitors on the rectifier side through controlled power
switches. The strategy is implemented for open leg fault condition and the current and THD are compared with normal
voltage source inverter. The results shows the improved performance for fault tolerant voltage source inverter.

KEYWORDS: Induction Motor Drive, Fault Analysis, Fault Tolerance, Modeling, Simulation, Line Current Amplitude
INTRODUCTION
Three phase induction motors are commonly used in industrial applications due to their simple construction, high
reliability, low cost etc. In modern industrial communities, induction motor has been growingly receiving attention in
various industries including power station, automotive, petrochemical, and aerospace. An asynchronous motor is a type of
AC motor, the rotor does not receive electric power by conduction but by the method of induction. So these types of
motors are called induction motors. The speed of this motor is determined by the frequency of the supply current, so these
machines are mostly used for constant-speed applications, and variable speed versions, using variable frequency drives.
When supplied by a symmetrical and balanced sinusoidal three-phase voltage and operating according to the manufacturer
instructions, namely as far as the environmental conditions and load type are concerned, the induction motor is a very
robust machine. However, faults can always occur. The main causes of three-phase induction motor failures are related to
the bearing damages and stator faults, particularly the stator insulation breakdown [1-3]. Now days the development of
fault tolerant induction motor drives has becoming a very important research topic. Based on the idea of keeping the
induction motor drive operating even after the occurrence of inverter faults, several authors have been proposing fault
tolerant operating strategies [4-6]. This type of technique is adopted to analyze thermal behavior of VSI fed induction
motor and calculate the fault proposed to the tolerant capabilities [7]. An MCSA technique is adopted for harmonic
analysis under various fault conditions of variable frequency drive systems [8]. An approach was fault tolerant of
multilevel inverters with redundant switching states such as cascade multilevel inverters and capacitor self voltage
balancing inverters [9]. For the practical implementation of a system and detection of fault motor current signature analysis
and fuzzy logic is used [10]. A DSP controller is used to find the stator faults. The fault detector gives the compensation of
the constructional and supply voltage imbalance. The power ripple is indicative of such stator faults as open and short
circuits in the stator winding [11]. Fault tolerant operation strategies for three level neutral point clamped pulse width
modulation inverters in high power safety-critical application is proposed [12]. The distribution characteristics of switching
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Amit Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Kumawat & Ashok Kumar Sharma

the surge voltage in the stator windings of an induction motor driven by IGBT PWM inverter are analyzed. To analyze the
voltage distribution between turns and coils of the stator winding, an equivalent circuit model of the induction motor
including feeder cable is proposed and high frequency parameters are computed by finite-element analysis [13]. Fault
tolerant technique is provided to pulse width modulated multilevel inverters for high power safety of drives [14]. The
induction motors during transient condition faults are detected and the oscillations are extracted using fault indicators. [l5]
Motor current signature analysis is used with advanced data processing system used to analyze the stator currents. Rotor
break down, short-circuit of stator windings, bearing cracks, and air-gap eccentricity all these faults can be detected by
using this methods. Using these techniques we can make power full induction motor drive. The above mentioned papers
uses fault tolerant techniques for thermal monitoring, MCSA techniques for the detection of faults etc. But in this paper, a
technique is used to tolerate the fault in the inverter section of a three phase VSI fed induction motor drive. A standard
three-phase voltage source inverter, fed from a three-phase mains supply, through a three-phase uncontrolled rectifier
circuit, usually supplies the induction motor used in this AC drives category Figure 1.
This paper presents several experimental results intended to investigate several faults i.e. open circuiting of one of
gate of the six IGBTs, blowing off one IGBT and line to ground fault at one of the motor phase terminals. For that purpose
a voltage source inverter reconfiguration strategy is used, based on a stator phase connection (SPC), represented in Figure
2. To implement the SPC hardware drive reconfiguration, three controlled power switches are essential (triacs for
example), as represented by the switches Su, Sv and Sw in Figure 2.
Figure 3 illustrates, as an example, the required SPC voltage source inverter reconfiguration for an open-circuit
fault in inverter.

Figure 1: Typical Induction Motor Drive Structure Based on a Voltage Source Inverter

Figure 2: Induction Motor Drive Structure for a Reconfiguration Based on a Stator Phase Connection

Figure 3: Induction Motor Drive Structure for a SPC Drive Reconfiguration, For an Inverter Leg Fault (Leg A)
An inverter, in which the input voltage is maintained constant, is called as voltage fed inverter. The variable
frequency drives operate by converting a three-phase voltage source to DC using uncontrolled rectifier circuit. After the
power flows through the rectifiers it is stored on a dc bus. The dc bus contains capacitors to accept power from the
uncontrolled rectifier, stores it and later deliver that power through the inverter section. The inverter contains IGBTs that
Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9638

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

Simulation of Ac to Ac Converter Fed Induction Motor for Fault Detection and Reduced Harmonic Content

55

deliver power to the motor. The IGBT and MOSFET is a common choice in modern VFDs. These switches can switch on
and off several thousand times per second and precisely control the power delivered to the motor. IGBT uses pulse width
modulation technique to supply a sine wave current at the desired frequency to the motor. A variable output voltage can be
obtained by varying the input DC voltage and maintaining the gain of the inverter constant. On the other hand if the DC
input voltage is not constant and is not controllable, a variable voltage can be obtained by varying the gain of the inverter
by pulse-width modulation control within the inverter.
This paper presents several simulation results intended to investigate the three-phase induction motor fault
behavior when supplied by a fault tolerant voltage source inverter. For that purpose, a fault tolerant voltage source inverter
is used, based on a SPC, as illustrated in Figure 2. To implement the SPC hardware drive reconfiguration, three controlled
power switches are used, Su, Sv, and Sw in Figure 2. After the fault detection, the inverter control system also isolates the
faulty leg and connects it directly to the dc link middle point. Figure 3. illustrates fault tolerant inverter fed induction motor
with an open-circuit fault in inverter leg A.
Proper fault analysis of VSI fed induction motor is needed to obtain an efficient result in the fault tolerant VSI fed
induction motor analysis. This work deals with harmonic analysis of motor current signatures for the following types of
fault. Open leg fault, blowing off one IGBT in one phase, blowing off one IGBT in two different phases and line to ground
fault.

SIMULATION OF THREE PHASE PWM INVERTER

Simulation is done on a three phase induction motor fed by a PWM inverter developed in Matlab/Simulink
environment. Figure 5 shows the simulink diagram of the developed model. For the simulation purpose, the tool box used
is the sim-power system tool box. The basic circuit of the proposed scheme consists of a three phase induction motor as
squirrel-cage rotor type having ratings as 5.4 HP, 400V, 50 Hz and 1430 RPM. The three phase induction motor drive is
fed by a three phase PWM VSI inverter.
Voltage source pulse width modulated inverter is made up of six IGBTs switches in a bridge form and fed by a dc
voltage source. An IGBT switch has been used because of the number of advantages offered them for switching purpose.
Three phase output is taken from the of three arms of bridge circuit designated as a, b, c , which is connected to the three
phases a, b, c, on the stator side of three phase induction motor. The harmonics present in the line current has also been
measured. The evolution of the harmonic contents has been carried out by its THD and the harmonics spectrum has been
extracted using the FFT analysis.

GENERATION OF GATING PULSES

The gating pulses for the six IGBTS of three legs are generated. The generation of these pulses is carried out by
pulse width modulation technique as shown in Figure 4. A number of algorithms for PWM voltage generation are
available. Some well-known techniques are unipolar voltage switching and bipolar voltage switching.

Figure 4: Pulse Width Modulation Technique

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Amit Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Kumawat & Ashok Kumar Sharma

SIMULATION RESULTS
The simulation is done using MATLAB and the results are presented here.
Case I: Healthy Model
Circuit for the detection of faults for three phase induction motor is shown in Figure 5. The 415V AC voltage is
applied to the induction motor.

Figure 5: Simulink Model for VSI Fed Induction Motor Drive

The waveform of line current v/s time of phase A under healthy condition is shown in Figure 6 (a) and the line
spectrum under the healthy condition is shown in Figure 6 (b). It shows THD of 10.36%.

(a)

(b)

Figure 6(a): Line Current Waveform under Healthy Condition Phase A and
(b) FFT Analysis under Healthy Condition
Case II: Blowing off One IGBT in Phase A
To simulate blown off IGBT, upper IGBT in the phase A has been replaced by a high resistance of l0 k.
The simulation circuit is shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Simulink Model with Phase A IGBT Blown Off in The Inverter
The waveforms of line current v/s time of phase A under fault condition is shown in Figure 8 (a). It is observed
Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9638

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

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Simulation of Ac to Ac Converter Fed Induction Motor for Fault Detection and Reduced Harmonic Content

that direction of current waveform of phase A gets reversed. The remaining phase voltage waveforms are also distorted on
introducing the fault. The line spectrum under the fault condition is shown in Figure 8 (b). It shows THD of 104.98%

.
(a)

(b)

Figure 8: (a) Line Current Waveform under Phase a IGBT Blown Off Fault in the Inverter Phase A and
Figure (b) FFT Analysis under Phase a IGBT Blown Off Fault in the Inverter
Case III: Open Leg Fault
To simulate this condition, upper & lower IGBTs in the phase A have been replaced by a high resistance of 10
k. The simulation circuit is shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Simulink Model with Open Leg Fault

The waveform of line current v/s time of phase A under fault condition is shown in Figure 10 (a). It is observed
that current of phase A is zero. The line spectrum under fault condition is shown in Figure 10 (b). It shows THD of 61.63
%.

(a)

(b)

Figure 10: (a) Line Current Waveform under Open Leg Fault Phase A and
Figure (B) FFT Analysis under Open Leg Fault

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Amit Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Kumawat & Ashok Kumar Sharma

Case IV: Blowing off IGBT in Phase A and Phase B

In this case the upper leg of Phase A and Phase B IGBTs have been replaced by a high resistance of 10 k. The
simulation circuit is shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11: Simulink Model with Phase A & B IGBT Blown Off in the Inverter
The waveforms of line current v/s time of phase A and phase B under fault condition are shown in Figure 12 (a)
and (b) respectively. It is observed that direction of current in the Phases A & B get reversed. The line spectrum under the
fault condition is shown in Figure 12 (c). It shows THD of 156.84%.

(a)

(b)

(c)
Figure 12: Line Current Waveforms Under Phase A & B IGBT Blow Off in the Inverter (A) Phase A (B) Phase B
and (C) FFT Analysis Under Phase A & B IGBT Blown Off in the Inverter

Case V: Line to Ground Fault

In this case the common terminals of all the three sources are connected to form a neutral. From the neutral point,
connection is being made to the line of phase A motor load. The simulation circuit is shown in Figure 13.

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9638

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

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Simulation of Ac to Ac Converter Fed Induction Motor for Fault Detection and Reduced Harmonic Content

Figure 13: Simulink Model with Line to Ground Fault

The waveform of line current v/s time of the phase A under fault condition is shown in Figure 14 (a). The line
current waveform is distorted on introducing the fault. The line spectrum under the fault condition is shown in Figure 14
(b). It shows THD of 32.16%.

(a)

(b)

Figure 14: (a) Line Current Waveform under Line to Ground Fault Phase A and
(b) FFT Analysis under Line to Ground Fault
Table 1: Summary of FFT Analysis
Condition
Healthy Condition
Phase A one IGBT blown
off
Open leg fault
(phase A)
Phase A & Phase B one
IGBT blown off
Line To Ground Fault

THD
Line Current (A)
THD
Line Current (A)
THD
Line Current (A)
THD
Line Current (A)
THD
Line Current (A)

Phase A
10.36%
7.33
104.98%
17.39
61.63%
0
156.84%
3.82
32.16%
7.041

Without Fault the THD is 10.36%. For IGBT blown off fault it increases to 104.98%, open leg fault THD
increases to 61.63%, for IGBT blown off fault in two phases THD increases to 156.84% and for line to ground fault THD
increase to 32.16%.

FAULT TOLERANT VSI FED INDUCTION MOTOR DRIVE

Case VI: Induction Motor Drive Structure for Reconfiguration Based on an SPC
To simulate this condition three controlled power switches are essential. The simulation circuit is shown in
Figure 15.

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Amit Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Kumawat & Ashok Kumar Sharma

Figure 15: Simulink Model of Induction Motor Drive Structure for a Reconfiguration Based on an SPC
The waveform of line current Vs time of phase A under healthy condition is shown in Figure 16 (a). The line
spectrum under the healthy condition is shown in Figure 16 (b). It shows THD of 8.59%.

(a)

(b)

Figure 16: (a) Line Current Waveform under Reconfiguration Based on SPC of Phase A and
(b) FFT Analysis under Reconfiguration Based on SPC
(c)
Case VII: Induction Motor Drive Structure for an SPC Drive Reconfiguration for an Inverter Leg Fault (Leg A)
In this case after the fault detection, the inverter control system also isolates the faulty leg and connects it directly
to the midpoint of split capacitor system as shown in Figure 17.

Figure 17: Simulink Model of Induction Motor Drive Structure for an SPC
Drive Reconfiguration, For an Inverter Leg Fault (Leg A)
The waveform of line current v/s time of phase A under open leg fault condition is shown in Figure 18 (a). It is
observed that the line current is not zero .The line current magnitude is improved when fault tolerant inverter is introduced.
The 415V AC voltage is applied to the induction motor. The line spectrum under the fault condition is shown in Figure 18
(b). It shows a THD of 24.85%.

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9638

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

Simulation of Ac to Ac Converter Fed Induction Motor for Fault Detection and Reduced Harmonic Content

(a)

61

(b)

Figure 18: (a). Line Current Waveforms under SPC Drive Reconfiguration, for an Inverter Leg Fault (Leg A) of
Phase A and (b) FFT Analysis under SPC Drive Reconfiguration, for an Inverter Leg Fault (Leg A)
Table 2: Summary of FFT Analysis
Condition
Phase A open leg fault
(normal VSI fed induction
motor)
Phase A open leg fault
(fault tolerant VSI fed
induction motor)

Phase A
THD

61.63%

Line Current (A)

THD

24.85%

Line Current (A)

8.90

For normal voltage source inverter fed drive due to open leg fault, the THD value increases to 61.63% whereas for
fault tolerant inverter fed drive it is 24.85%. For normal inverter fed drive due to open leg fault, the line current value
decreases to zero whereas with fault tolerant inverter fed drive the line current increases to 8.9 A.

CONCLUSIONS
This paper presents the investigations regarding the faulty behavior of a three-phase VSI fed induction motor
drive & induction motor drive system when supplied by a reconfigured three-phase voltage source inverter with fault
tolerant capabilities. Output waveforms are obtained and THD values are tabulated. From simulation it is seen that current
harmonics gets increased due to the introduction of faults in the inverter module. The current gets reversed on introducing
IGBT blown off fault and current value reduces to zero on introducing open leg fault. Frequency responses with FFT
spectrum under four different fault conditions are distinctly different. From the simulation studies it is seen that the current
harmonics are lower & the current value is higher than the normal VSI fed induction motor drive during open leg fault in
fault tolerant VSI fed induction motor drive.

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Amit Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Kumawat & Ashok Kumar Sharma

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Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9638

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0