Considering the Parameters of Pulse Width Modulation Voltage to Improve the Signal-to-Noise Ratio of Partial Discharge Tests for Inverter-Fed Motors.

The improvements in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are indispensable to obtain the desired output signal of partial discharge (PD) under square wave pulsewidth modulation (PWM) voltage. In this article, the effect of complex PWM voltage parameters (rise time, fall time, frequency, duty cycle) on the SNR of PD tests is investigated. The results revealed that the sensor's high-frequency gain should be increased to improve the SNR under faster switching. PD impulses are more likely to be submerged in the residual interference under high-frequency voltage. The SNR can be improved by only detecting the PD at the rising front because the PD signal overlaps with commutation noise at the falling front of short duty cycle voltage, such as 0.03% duty cycle. The above results can reference the PWM parameters and improve the SNR in PD tests for rotating machines controlled by power electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]