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4/5/2024
Transformation of the drives
News
Early detection of the causes of partial discharge in high-voltage drives
The Aachen-based FEV Group, a development service provider for sustainable mobility and energy solutions, claims to have developed the world's first method for the early detection and prevention of partial discharge in high-voltage electric drive units (EDU). It uses established measuring systems with specially developed sensors that are used in EDUs for qualitative measurement. This enables customers to identify partial discharge during the development process and take countermeasures.
Partial discharge is a local electrical sparkover that can occur at voltages of more than 600 volts. This is caused by the smallest defects or inhomogeneities in the insulation material or contaminated surfaces. If the partial discharge remains undetected and occurs repeatedly, it leads to progressive damage to the insulation and to the vehicle coming to a standstill, in the worst case to a total loss.
"Partial discharge has been known for a long time in the field of electrical systems engineering and high-voltage transmission networks, where corresponding tests are common practice," says Michael Stapelbroek, Vice President Electric Powertrain at FEV. "In the automotive sector, however, the phenomenon is just gaining focus with the increasing spread of 800-volt batteries."
Electromagnetic frequency analysis
The FEV solution uses electromagnetic frequency analysis, one of the most precise measurement methods in the field of electric drives, to measure the electromagnetic fields around the drive unit. The results are used to determine whether partial discharges occur within the EDU during operation."Partial discharge has been known for a long time in the field of electrical systems engineering and high-voltage transmission networks, where corresponding tests are common practice," says Michael Stapelbroek, Vice President Electric Powertrain at FEV. "In the automotive sector, however, the phenomenon is just gaining focus with the increasing spread of 800-volt batteries."
