Baker Off-Line Testing Compared to PdMA’s Off-Line Unit

Test Baker PdMA

Winding Resistance Yes Yes
Megger Yes Yes
Polarization Index (PI) Yes Yes
Dielectric Absorption (DA) Yes Yes
HiPot Yes No/Yes
Surge Test Yes No
Inductance Yes Yes
RIC No Yes
Capacitance No Yes

Winding Resistance
Both units have a resistance meter and are comparable.

Megger
Both units have a comparable megger.

Polarization Index (PI)

Both units have a PI test. Per IEEE 43 the PI test should be performed at
operating voltage. The PdMA unit can only put out 1,000 Volts. With there add
on power supply they can get up to 5,000 volts. This will allow them to test up to
4160 Volt motors. Anything larger PdMA will not be able to get a comprehensive
test.

Dielectric Absorption (DA)

The Baker unit has the ability to automatically revert to this test when performing
a PI test when recording a value greater than 5,000 Mega Ohms. Per IEEE 43 if
you have greater then 5,000 Mega Ohms at 1 min. you can abort the test your
insulation is fine. We believe it necessary to trend this information. The Baker
Tester can be programmed to revert to the DA test if a value greater than 5,000
Mega Ohms is recorded.

HiPot
This is where we separate ourselves from the PdMA unit. Per IEEE 43 to insure
your motor is in good condition you should test your motors at twice operating
plus 1,000 Volts. If the PdMA box has the 5,000 Volt add on power supply the
largest motor you can test is 480 Volts. It is crucial that you test to these voltages
(2 X Rated Voltage +1,000 V) because this is what your motor sees every time it
is started and stopped. The motor will see these elevated voltages even when
another motor is started and stopped on the same bus. When we perform the Hipot
 test we are only exposing your motor to the same voltage it experiences during
normal operation.

Surge Test
PdMA has no surge test. The surge test will give you the necessary warning to
predict a turn to turn, Phase to Phase and turn to ground weak insulation. It has
been shown that the majority of electrical failures begin at a turn-to-turn short and
once this takes place the motor will fail in a short period of time (Typically
Minuets). The surge test is the only piece of equipment to predict a turn-to-
turn, phase to phase and turn to ground insulation weakness.
Note: PD has been shown to find weak insulation on 13,800 Volt motors.

Inductance
The inductance test is employed to find an unbalance in the windings. We at Baker do
this when we compare the waveforms from one phase to the other during the surge test.
The waveforms should line up on top of each other exactly. This ensures the motor is
wired correctly, has no reversed coils, the same number of turns in each phase, the same
size diameter copper in each phase and no damage to the core. A problem arises when
you insert the rotor. It can skew the waveform. This is why we only recommend you
comparing the waveforms with the rotor out. This is performed when the motor is rebuilt
or manufactured.

PdMA will give you a reading in mili henery’s and ask you to trend these values. Baker
does not employ this method in the field for a number of reasons.
1. The test is not backed by any IEEE standards. So what mili henery value is
correct or incorrect?
2. The test is not repeatable because of the influence of the rotor
3. The test can be influence by the residual charge left in the motor.

PdMa tries to compare the Inductance test to our surge tester. They will say they can find
a turn-to-turn short with this test, and they can. It is very easy you can find a turn-to-turn
short. Direct shorts can be found with a good resistance meter. The problem is the motor
is not running because it is grounded. The inductance test is a diagnostic tool not a
predictive maintenance tool. The surge tester will find weak insulation and give you
enough warning before the motor fails. It is a predictive maintenance tool because it
will provide you with the information necessary to diagnose weak insulation before
the motor has failed. The test can only inform you of a direct short

RIC
The RIC test is used to find eccentricity problems in the rotor.

Baker does not employ this test for a number of reasons.

1. The test is not backed by any IEEE standards.
2. The test is not repeatable.
3. The test can be influence by the residual magnetism left in the motor.
 4. The test is invalid on motors that have a low influence rotor. This happens quite
often.
5. This test is not practical in the field because of the need to rotate the shaft of the
motor. This is tough to perform in the field with the motor coupled to the load.
6. If the rotor is going to drop to a point where you have a problem that can be
detected with the RIC test. You will be able to find the problem long before this
with your vibration equipment.

Capacitance
The Capacitance test is employed to find dirty motors that should be sent to the motor
shop for a clean dip and bake. The Hipot and PI test is a much more accurate and
sensitive test than the capacitance test.

Baker does not employ this test for a number of reasons.

1. The test is not backed by any IEEE standards.
2. This test is not as accurate or sensitive as the Hipot and PI Readings.