Partial Discharges in Electrical Machines for the More Electric Aircraft—Part I: A Comprehensive Modeling Tool for the Characterization of Electric Drives Based on Fast Switching Semiconductors

This paper proposed a modelling approach for the comprehensive analysis of high-frequency challenges in electrical drives designed for aerospace applications, in particular the overvoltage at the machine terminals and the voltage distribution within windings. After a separate description of the models for the estimation of these insulation stress sources, the combined model was detailed. The main benefit of developing a combined, flexible and comprehensive tool is that both overvoltage at machine terminals and uneven voltage distribution can be calculated simultaneously, without neglecting the voltage overshoot when estimating the voltage distribution (and vice versa). In fact, an accurate calculation of the terminal overvoltage is necessary to provide a good estimation of the voltage within winding turns since its waveform shape can be quite different with respect to the converter output, even with cables of a few meters. A case study based on a real aerospace application was considered to investigate the model validity and accuracy. Experimental results were performed on a complete system comprising a SiC-based converter, a connecting cable and a machine stator, proving the simulation model accuracy in terms of peak voltages of both the line-to-line terminal voltage and the turn voltage distribution across the first turns, which are the most relevant quantities for the sake of this study as well as for the investigations of the subsequent companion papers. In the forthcoming papers, the effects of different rise times and cable lengths on the inception of partial discharges will be investigated through fast parametric simulation carried out using the proposed combined model. The feasibility of using conventional insulation systems for aircraft applications using SiC drives fed by a ±270 V DC bus voltage will be discussed, with the aim of signaling and finding solutions to improve the overall reliability.