Impact of Slot Discharges and Vibration Sparking on Stator Winding Life in Large Generators

Slot discharge and VS are two stator winding deterioration mechanisms acting on stator winding insulation. Slot discharge can have at least three different causes only one of which is caused by bars vibrating in the slot. Slot discharge will be significant only in bars that are operating at or near rated voltage. Vibration sparking will only occur when two conditions are met simultaneously: a) the slot conductive coating is too conductive, and b) the bars are vibrating in the slot. This can occur throughout the stator.The manifestations of the two mechanisms can be very similar. The major difference between slot discharge caused by loose coils and VS is that VS can occur on bars located anywhere within the winding. Vibration sparking is generally the more aggressive of the two mechanisms. Because the root cause and corrective actions are quite different, it is important to distinguish between the two mechanisms. The presence of VS or slot discharge in a stator winding can have significant influence on the projected life of a stator winding. Thus it is important to detect and correctly diagnose either problem in its early stages. If the amount of activity is significant and advanced, repair may be difficult or impossible, particularly in the case of VS.