Jari Pekola, Technology Development, 10.06.

2009

AC Converter Drives Bearing current measurements

ABB Electrical Machines 2/20/2014

AC Converter Drives Bearing currents counteractions

First of all the proper installation is the precondition for the successful bearing current mitigation

Use symmetrical shielded 3-phase cables Make 360 High Frequency EMC grounding connections at both ends of the cables Follow the instructions of Grounding and Cabling of the Drive System (an ABB manual) Follow the instructions of the converter manuals

Then in principle there are two main methods to mitigate or to eliminate bearing currents :

1) Cut the bearing current loop effectively

High impedance also at high frequencies !

2) Eliminate the root cause of HF bearing currents or mitigate it`s effects in the electrical machine

The bearing effects of the common mode voltage & current inside the machine are somehow removed (by filters, brushes, eliminators/compensators or new converter or/and motor topologies)

ABB Electrical Machines 2009