Measurements of Vibrations Produced by Current Pulses in Elements of Electrical Equipment

Abstract

The effects of vibration response of a conductor on the action of current pulses in the absence or presence of static loads have been studied. During the tests, three-component piezoelectric accelerometers were used to control the amplitude and time characteristics of vibration against a background of the effect of separate current pulses. The main characteristic used to determine vibrations was the acceleration of surface layers of metal. Single current pulses have no appreciable thermal effects on a sample. The experimental data that show that the main contribution, in the formation of mechanical oscillating processes, is made by an electrodynamic process determined by changes in the magnetic field and skin effect. It has been found that an increase in the static load leads to an increase in the decrement of oscillating process attenuations caused by the action of pulse current. A technique for measuring vibrations produced by the current pulses has been suggested. This technique of determining vibrations under the action of pulse current can be recommended for nondestructive testing of defects in structures, including in cases of their static load. The analysis of these results allows one to determine the service life of elements in windings of powerful energy equipment starting from normal operational modes to emergency conditions.