Open AccessInvestigation of wire insulation for high‐temperature motor windings
Author(s) -
Tshiloz Kavul,
Smith Alexander Charles,
Tuohy Paul Michael,
Feehally Tom
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the journal of engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2051-3305
DOI - 10.1049/joe.2018.8113
Subject(s) - materials science , electromagnetic coil , composite material , copper wire , insulation system , wire speed , electrical conductor , ceramic , electrical engineering , mechanical engineering , engineering , layer (electronics)
There is a strong interest in the development of high‐temperature electrical machines, both from academic research and industrial consumers. Conventional electrical machines cannot operate much beyond 250 ° C, and this limits their application in certain sectors such as oil, gas, and aerospace. The key technology for high‐temperature operation is high‐temperature wire insulation systems for the motor windings. This study presents an experimental study on the temperature dependence of the wire insulation resistance of a standard Class H (180°C) enamel wire, a high‐temperature MAGNETEMP CA‐200 wire, a photonis glass‐coated wire, a mica‐taped VonRoll SK650 wire, a ceramic‐based CERAFIL500 wire, and a newly developed S‐2 glass‐fibre insulated wire. The results show that motor operation above ∼300°C for any length of time using conventional polymer‐based wire is difficult. It is possible, however, to operate motors up to 600°C using inorganic insulation coatings. The new wire using the S‐2 glass‐fibre insulation performed very well showing good insulation resistance up to 600°C: excellent flexibility and robustness, capable of very small bend diameters, and with packing factors almost identical to the conventional copper wire.