The A-CSA tool is a software program designed by the DIAMOT Team that is aimed to diagnose different types of failures in electric motors. The software is especially suited for Induction Motors of any size, although it can be also used for other machines, such as synchronous motors.

The A-CSA program is based on the analysis of motor currents. The corresponding file containing motor current data is taken as an input and the program provides the corresponding diagnostic conclusion. The software can apply two different technologies based on current analysis: 1) the classical Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA) based on the Fourier analysis of steady-state current and 2) new technologies based on the time-frequency analysis of startup currents (ATCSA). The combined application of these two technologies enables to reach a high reliability in the diagnostic of the considered faults, avoiding eventual false diagnostics provoked by the use of a single technique.

Version 1.0 of A-CSA enables to diagnose two possible failures: rotor damages and eccentricities.

1. Input data file

The only input that the program requires to perform the analyses is a simple file containing the current data. This can be a text file (with ‘.txt’ or ‘.csv’ formats) in which the current samples are organized as a column. The software manual details the way in which the file must be arranged. The team can provide support to obtaoin directly the necessary format from your measument device.

2. Signal conditioning options

The program includes some signal conditioning options that enable to adapt the captured current waveform to the software requirements. The two main options for signal conditioning included in this version are : Option 'cut signal' and Option 'resample signal'. The user can cut or resample his signal as he requires.

3. Fault diagnosis options

Version 1.0 of the A-CSA software enables the diagnostic of two different failures: rotor faults and eccentricities.

3.1. Diagnosis of the Rotor Condition (‘Broken Bars’ option).

The A-CSA program enables the determination of the rotor health based on two different technologies. On the one hand, it enables the analysis of the current demanded by the motor at steady-state with the Fast Fourier Transform (classical method, MCSA). On the other hand, it also provides an additional functionality that is not available in other software packages and that relies on the analysis of the startup current by applying sophisticated signal processing transforms (ATCSA). This latter approach confers a high reliability to the diagnostic of the rotor condition and enables to avoid eventual false indications of the classical method. A simple ATCSA analysis can clarify the diagnostic, saving huge costs for the corresponding company.

An example of application of the steady-state technique (MCSA) to a real motor is shown in the next figures: the motor is diagnosed as faulty, as per the high amplitudes of harmonics appearing in the alarm region.

An example of the application of the ‘Transient’ analysis option (ATCSA) to the file containing the startup current of the motor considered in the previous graphs is shown in the next figure. The program automatically processes the starting current signal and classifies the motor as 'faulty'

On the other hand, the next figure show the output of the program in the case of applying ATCSA to a healthy motor:

3.2. Diagnosis of eccentricities (‘Eccentricity’ option).

The A-CSA software is also able to determine the level of eccentricity (uneven airgap) or misalignment in the machine. The program bases this diagnostic on the analysis of the steady-state current signal (no transient-based options for the determination of the eccentricity level are available in version 1.0).

Next figures show an example of application of the A-CSA software to the detection of eccentricities.

4. Report generation

The ACSA software enables the generation of some reports based on the obtained results. The report generation option is not available for all the program functions. Version 1.0 only enables to generate reports within the ‘Steady State’ analysis option in the broken bar diagnosis functionality.

5. Contact

If you want further information or you are interested in a sample trial or on purchasing a license, please contact: joanda@die.upv.es