A passive EMI filter for eliminating both bearing current and ground leakage current from an inverter-driven motor

This paper presents a practical approach to eliminating both bearing current and ground leakage current from an inverter-driven motor rated at 400 V and 3.7 kW. When the shaft voltage with respect to the motor frame exceeds the dielectric breakdown voltage of thin lubricating grease films in two metal bearings at the drive and non-drive ends, an electrical discharge machining (EDM) current flows through the bearings. A passive electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter can keep the shaft voltage in check, as a result of having eliminated high-frequency common-mode voltage from the motor terminals. Hence, no dielectric breakdown occurs in the grease films, so that no EDM current flows in the bearings. Experimental results verify the viability and effectiveness of the passive EMI filter designed in this paper. Index Terms--Bearing current, common-mode voltage, electromagnetic interference (EMI), ground leakage current, inverters, motor drives, shaft voltage.