Alternator Vibration During Excitation

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on diagnosing vibration issues in a Leroy Somer LS F44M2ATR16 alternator, specifically during excitation. The alternator exhibited significant vibrations, measured at 4mm/s when excited, and reduced to below 1mm/s when excitation was disconnected. Key findings indicate rubbing marks on the non-drive-end (NDE) stator core and rotor poles, suggesting potential eccentricity issues. The community suggests checking for open circuit phases or shorted turns in the rotor as possible causes of the vibration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of alternator components, specifically salient type rotors.
  • Familiarity with vibration analysis techniques and spectrum interpretation.
  • Knowledge of electrical faults in alternators, including open circuit phases and shorted turns.
  • Experience with alternator repair processes, including stator rewinding and bearing replacement.
NEXT STEPS
  • Investigate methods to measure air gap in enclosed alternators.
  • Learn about vibration spectrum analysis and its correlation with alternator performance.
  • Research techniques for identifying electrical faults in alternators, focusing on rotor windings.
  • Explore solutions for addressing eccentricity issues in alternators.
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, maintenance technicians, and anyone involved in the repair and diagnostics of alternators, particularly those working with Leroy Somer models.

ashrafec
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hi guys,

I'm new to this forum and this would be my first post :-)

Hope you guys can guide me on what to do on this alternator that's having problem with vibration. I'm running out of ideas now on what to do with this alternator.

The alternator was sent to our workshop by the client for repair. They noticed alarming vibration. Upon opening the alternator, we found the rubbing mark at the bottom side of the non-drive-end (NDE) stator core. At the same time, there are rubbing mark on all 4 poles of the rotor, also at the NDE section meaning all 4 poles have rubbed with the stator core at the NDE side. This is a salient type rotor. we have done repair work on the stator core lamination at the rubbing area, also we have rewound the main stator and all 4 poles. We have replaced both bearings DE and NDE. Also, we have fixed the NDE bearing housing to get it to within tolerance.

After repair, we tested the alternator in the workshop. However, the vibration is still there. When we disconnected the AVR from the excitation i.e. running without excitation (no output voltage), the vibration disappear i.e. reduces to below 1mm/s. When we introduce the excitation, then the vibration will appear around 4mm/s.

We have looked at the vibration spectrum. It seems that there might be possible cause of eccentricity.

It seems that there is a problem with eccentricity based on 2xline frequency but how to check the actual air gap when the machine is totally enclosed ? Is there any other factor that can contribute to this problem ? Or perhaps it's not actually symptom of 2xline frequency, but symptom of 4xrpm instead ?

Any idea what should I do now ?

Brief details of the alternator :

- Leroy Somer LS F44M2ATR16
- 4 poles
- power rating : 30kVA, 24kW
- voltage : 415V
- ampere : 42A
- speed : 1500rpm/50Hz

Please find attached vibration spectrum for both DE and NDE when the alternator is excited and when it's not excited. There is a big different between magnitude for these 2 conditions.

Thank you for your guide !
 

Attachments

Engineering news on Phys.org
Missing spacers? Can you see endwise motion/shifting of the shaft? You might be able to spot it just exciting without rotation. Spins where it's happy no load, turn on excitation and shift it endwise to where it starts dragging/striking something.
 
An electrical fault can give asymmetric physical vibration.
Because it results in load imbalance it can cause resonant vibration and physical contact at some RPMs.
My first guess would be an open circuit phase or a shorted turn in one phase on one pole.
Depending on how the excitation is wound there could be a shorted turn in one pole of the rotor.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
11K
  • · Replies 50 ·
2
Replies
50
Views
10K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
37K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K