A good procedure

gone astray?

BY CHUCK YUNG
& TRAVIS GRIFFITH

HIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE BASIC

Stator Cores

components of core loss (hysteresis and

Although IEEE Standard 432 Guide for Insulation Mainte-

eddy-current losses), the effect of frequency

nance for Rotating Electric Machinery [1] was withdrawn in

and lamination thickness, and other

2004, the loop test described in Appendix A4 has long

contributing factors. It also explains the effect of operating

been used to evaluate the suitability of stator cores for

frequency of squirrel cage type-rotors and armatures and

rewinding. End users and repair facilities generally agree

provides correction factors.

that this test provides a valid data for evaluating polyphase

Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MIAS.2010.939431

Date of publication: 12 November 2010

IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  JAN j FEB 2011  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

FOTOSEARCH

stator cores designed for 50- or 60-Hz power systems.

Specifically, it is used to measure damage or other
1077-2618/11/$26.002011 IEEE

57

IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  JAN j FEB 2011  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

observed overall core performance is a

deficiencies in the lamination stack
summation of the individual laminaand thus determine the suitability for
tion behavior.
rewind. The loop test was narrow in
THINNER
The familiar right-hand rule [Figure
scope and intended to evaluate the
LAMINATIONS
2(a)] describing the voltage and current
core losses of a three-phase stator
produced in a conductor, when there
core. In addition, the magnetic flux
HAVE A LOWER
is relative movement between that
density with which the core was to be
conductor and a magnetic field, also
excited (105% of the operating magSTACKING
applies to the core. The rotating
netic flux density) was determined
magnetic field passing through the
based on an assumed 50- or 60-Hz
FACTOR BECAUSE
squirrel cage bars induces voltage
operating frequency.
and current into the laminations
Unfortunately, the use of the core
OF THE HIGHER
(which is the origin of the term intest has been expanded to include the
PROPORTION OF
duction motor).
examination of squirrel cage and wound
While the voltage between adjacent
rotor induction motor (SCIM and
INSULATION TO
laminations is small (approximately
WRIM) rotors, as well as dc arma0.02 V/lamination), the cumulative
tures, but without the rigorous scrutiny
STEEL
effect of hundreds of stacked laminathat the IEEE Standard 432 contained.
tions is appreciable. Therefore, the
Because of the lack of understanding
LAMINATION.
laminations must be electrically insuof the underlying principles, some
lated from each other. When the interrotor and armature cores are conlaminar insulation is compromised, the
demned or unnecessarily rebuilt and
therefore a loop test fails to identify shorted dc armature laminations short together, the voltage virtually drops to
zero, and the resulting power (kVA) is predominantly the
cores sometimes.

58

What Are Core Losses?

When a ferromagnetic material is magnetized, some residual magnetism (remanence) is present after the flux source
is removed. While the cores under consideration are compressed stacks of punched steel laminations, each lamination exhibits the same property. Thus, energy is required
to return the flux to a zero or neutral state. Consider that
in an ac machine, the ac remagnetizes the core continuously, changing the polarity with each half cycle. The
amount of energy required changes in a nonlinear fashion,
resulting in a lag between the application and removal of
force and its subsequent effects (Figure 1). This phenomenon, known as hysteresis, might be described as magnetic
kinetic energy.
In a good core, typical losses attributable to the
continuous remagnetization are approximately two
thirds of the total core losses. The other components of
core loss are eddy-current and interlaminar losses. The

Motion or Force

Magnetic Field ( )

Induced
Current (I )

(a)

Flux Density B
a Saturation
Retentivity
b
Coercivity
H
Magnetizing Force
in Opposite Direction

H
Magnetizing Force

e
d
Saturation in
Opposite Direction

(b)

Flux Density
in Opposite Direction

2
1

Hysteresis loop (B-H curve).

(a) The right-hand rule. (b) Flux travels circumferentially

around the core, inducing voltage between the
laminations. (Photo courtesy of EASA.)

Losses heat; more heat further damage:

Eddy-current losses within the laminations produce
resistive heating. These losses are proportional to the
square of the lamination thickness (Figure 3) and the
square of the frequency. If the two laminations short
together, the eddy-current losses increase by a factor of
four in that location. The larger the hot spot, the more is
the generated heat, increasing exponentially. Not only
3
does the additional heat expand the damaged region by
destroying the interlaminar coating, but it also deterio- Eddy-current losses increase as the square of lamination
rates the various winding insulation materials. The use of thickness.
thinner laminations was a first-line method of controlling
losses (heat) in an electric motor. This has
the effect of keeping the core temperaTABLE 1. TYPICAL LAMINATION THICKNESSES.
tures lower and within the temperature
Frequency
25 Hz
40 Hz
60 Hz
400 Hz
limits of the insulation class, thereby
improving efficiency.
Lamination
1.2 mm
0.8 mm
0.61 mm
0.36 mm
Motors operating on the 25- and 40-Hz
thickness
(0.046 in)
(0.030 in)
(0.024 in)
(0.014 in)
electrical systems of the recent past were

IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  JAN j FEB 2011  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

much less sensitive to eddy-current

amperage component. This high curlosses. Table 1 illustrates that the
rent causes localized heating of the
lamination thickness decreased as
shorted laminations, thus extending
THE ONLY BENEFIT
the operating frequencies increased,
damage to the interlaminar insulation.
and the manufacturers strove to maxThis cycle of damage continues, evenOF USING A CORE
imize the effective use of active
tually leading to a failure of the windTESTER TO CHECK
materials and further improve the
ing insulation, laminated core, or the
efficiency of electrical equipment.
rotor cage.
SCIM ROTORS IS
This is applicable to motors, generaThe loop test is a procedure for
tors, and transformers.
energizing the stator core with an
TO DETECT ROTOR
The well-known 10 rule [5] posexternal source of magnetic flux dentulates that the expected insulation
sities to simulate operating condiCAGE
life is halved for every 10 C
tions. The test models a transformer
increase in temperature. A 50 C
turn ratio on a single phasesingle
ANOMALIES.
increase in temperature reduces the
coil basis for convenience. Depending
expected insulation life from 30
on the available power supply (espeyears to less than a year. A hot spot
cially current limitations), the loop
turns and voltage are changed in direct proportion, and does not have to be very large to wreak havoc with
the current varies inversely, thus providing the same kil- insulation life.
ovoltamperes. The test can be performed using multiple
loop turns, as described in IEEE Standard 432, or with a
single loop turn with a power supply capable of supply- Factors Affecting Core Losses
ing the high current required for the low excitation volt- Core losses are comprised of hysteresis and eddy-current
age [2], [3]. For example, a 100-turn, 250-V test is losses at approximately 2:1 ratio in a new core. Hysteresis
equivalent to a one-turn, 2.5-V test. However, the one- losses occur within the steel and are influenced by the type
turn test would require 100 times the current as the 100- of steel (carbon steel versus silicon steel) used and are proportional to the lamination thickness, grain size, and operturn loop test.
Whether caused by a rotorstator rub from bearing ating system frequency.
Eddy-current loss is given by
failure or core plate deterioration due to excessive burnout temperatures, shorting of the laminations produces
higher eddy-current losses [4]. The stator core test
Pe 7:47 3 1014 (B2 f 2 t2 )(qd),
(1)
should be performed before and after the burnout
process, using the same measurements and test set for
both tests. When shorted regions of the core are noticea- where Pe W=lb, B flux density, q electrical
ble, eddy-current losses increase markedly and represent resistivity ohms=cm, f frequency, d density of core
a disproportionate amount of total core losses. For exam- material g=cm3 , and t lamination thicknesscm.
ple, normal eddy-current losses of a 100-kg core are typiHysteresis losses are higher for carbon steel than silicon
cally 29 W/kg, whereas a shorted area of 10 cm2 can steel, a fact that must be balanced against the better perincrease these losses to 2230 W/kg (1015 W/lb) or meability of carbon steel. In addition, grain orientation
more. Higher losses result in increased heat and higher also affects the loss magnitude. Therefore, electrical steel
magnetizing current.

59

IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  JAN j FEB 2011  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

60

Larger regions of shorted laminamanufacturers produce a wide variety

tions are more readily detected than
of low-loss silicon steels with high perIEEE STANDARD
the smaller ones. A two-pole core, havmeability to be used in the cores of
ing a larger back iron area, is more difelectric motors and generators.
432
ficult to evaluate than a core designed
The magnetic flux path induced by
for a winding with more poles (i.e., a
the loop test follows a circumferential
RECOMMENDS
lower synchronous speed), particularly
path through the back iron [Figure
when damage occurs deep within the
2(b)]. Magnetization of the teeth is
CORE LOSS
back iron.
also accomplished via a combination
High-permeability steel requires eleof sufficient current to force the flux
TESTING AT 5%
vated magnetic flux densities to detect
across the slots and fringing of the flux
OVER THE
shorted laminations. Cores constructed
at the upper periphery of the back
from thicker laminations are more reiron. The flux path of the loop test folMAGNETIC FLUX
sponsive to lower magnetic flux density,
lows a circular path through the cirwhereas a core of the same physical size
cumference of the back iron, as
DENSITY OF THE
constructed from a larger number of
opposed to the normal operating flux
thinner laminations may appear to be in
path (Figure 4).
WINDING DESIGN.
good condition when evaluated at a low
The ampere turns required to raise
flux density.
the flux density to a level capable of
Stack tightness is another variable,
revealing hot spots is affected by the
conditions of the core (i.e., shorted laminations cause an with typical stacking pressures of 58.8 kg/cm2 (75125
increase in magnetizing current), the permeability of the psi). Insufficient stacking pressure translates into greater
steel, thickness of the lamination, and other factors.
movement of the laminations, abrading away the interlaminar coating. It also implies less steel per unit length.
The coating thickness on each lamination has a similar
effect as stacking pressure; a thicker coating reduces the
ratio of steel to the overall core length. A typical core is
comprised of a stack of punched laminations, with each
lamination coated to reduce eddy-current losses. The term
stacking factor is used to describe the ratio of actual lamination steel to overall stack length. Bur height must also
be controlled by the manufacturers by constantly monitoring the condition of the punches used to stamp lamination
profiles. Laser-cut laminations can achieve a 98% stacking
factor, compared with a 95% stacking factor for a core constructed of punched laminations.
Further complicating interpretation is the influence
of the frame containing the core. Cast iron does not pass
flux well, so a cast iron frame has no discernable influence
on the loop test. Rolled steel or welded (fabricated) steel
frames carry magnetic flux very well, so they significantly influence the loop test. If the construction of the
4
frame is steel and forms an uninterrupted circular path
Flux path of a four-pole induction motor.
for the magnetic flux to travel, error is introduced into
the results of a loop test. The operator must be aware of
this influence on the results of the core test. Anecdotal
evidence supports the belief that when a core test determines low core losses but with higher-than-expected
ampere turns, it is an indication of lower permeability
steel or a steel frame.
The closer the contact between the core and frame
the greater the effect will be on the ampere turns
required to energize the core to the required magnetic
flux density. In an International Protection code (IP)54
or IP55 [totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC)] design,
there is an interference fit between the core and frame,
with a full contact between the two (Figure 5).
The core of an IP22 [open drip proof (ODP)] or IP23
[weatherproof (WP)] enclosure by design has limited
contact with the frame (Figure 6). This permits more
5
airflow across the core to promote cooling. A motor conTEFC stator core and frame fit. (Photo courtesy of EASA.)
structed with a steel frame, in close contact with the

with a design with little or no slip.

For example, an SCIM rotor with 2%
THE USE OF
slip has an operating frequency of
only 1.2 Hz on a 60-Hz system (1.0 Hz
THINNER
at 50 Hz). Consequently, because eddycurrent losses are proportional to the
Frequency and Core Losses
LAMINATIONS
square of the frequency, the eddyThe importance of operating freWAS A FIRST-LINE
current losses in operation are only
quency when interpreting core test
0.04% of the losses determined by
results should be understood by exMETHOD OF
the 60-Hz core test.
amining (1).
The adaptation of core testing to
Eddy-current losses vary with the
CONTROLLING
SCIM rotors is misunderstood by many
square of the frequency and laminaend users and by others who should
tion thickness. Eddy currents, thereLOSSES (HEAT) IN
know better. First, the induction rotor
fore, have a disproportional impact
is subject to line frequency power at
on motor efficiency. These losses in
AN ELECTRIC
the time of starting. As the rotor accelmachines operating at higher freMOTOR.
erates, rotor frequency drops quickly
quencies are controlled by using pro(in the time it takes to start the motor)
portionately thinner laminations. From
to slip frequency. A typical rotor operFigures 7 and 8, the effect of both
lamination thickness and frequency can be readily ates at 13 Hz during normal service, although this figure
is higher for National Electric Manufacturing Association
understood.
The eddy-current losses of a motor operating at (NEMA) design D rotors at 58% or 813% slip. As in
60 Hz are 144% greater [(60/50) 2 1.44] than when Table 2, the rotor frequency is still considerably lower than
operating at 50 Hz. A motor operating at 120 Hz the frequency of the stator core.
Rotor frequency is given by
would experience four times the eddy-current losses in
operation as indicated by a 60-Hz test. Core loss is far
1  r=min=synchronous r=min 3 line frequency;
more critical for a machine operating at 400 Hz, than
for a 50- or 60-Hz core. By the same token, the core loss
2
for a vintage 25-Hz core is less critical than for a
comparable 60-Hz core.
However, because the loop test or core test is usually
Core Loss Breakdown
performed using the power supply available to the repair
of 0.6-mm (0.24-in) Silicon Steel
facility, the core loss is interpreted at a fixed frequency,
90
Eddy-Current Loss
regardless of the operating frequency of the core being
81
72
evaluated.
Rotor and Armature
Operating Frequency
The operating frequency of a rotating core is directly
determined by the operating and synchronous speeds of
the machine. The high slip designs result in a higher
operating frequency for a rotor core, when compared

63
54
45
36
27
18
9
0

Hysteresis Loss
30

50

200

60
100
Frequency

400

7
Effect of frequency on losses, 0.6-mm lamination thickness.

Core Loss Breakdown

of 0.8-mm (0.031-in) Silicon Steel
Percentage of Loss

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

6
ODP type frame with minimal core contact. (Photo courtesy
of EASA.)

Eddy-Current Loss

Hysteresis Loss

30

50

60

100 200
Frequency

400

800

1,000

8
Effect of frequency on losses, 0.8-mm lamination thickness.

IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  JAN j FEB 2011  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

Percentage of Loss

entire circumference of the core, is

likely to require more ampere turns
to raise the magnetizing current to
the test level.

61

IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  JAN j FEB 2011  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

13 kilolines/cm 2 (85k/in 2 ) normally

effectively, multiply the percent slip
times the line frequency to determine
used for testing stator cores. In addition,
HIGHthe rotor frequency. Note that even the
infrared thermography (Figure 9) can
high slip design D rotor is only
be useful for detecting partial open cirPERMEABILITY
exposed to 915 Hz during normal
cuits in the rotor cage. There are reoperation.
ported cases of rotor core testing, at the
STEEL REQUIRES
Because the rotor frequency is so
IEEE Standard 432 test levels, at which
ELEVATED
low, eddy-current losses are not a
the heat generated by current passing
significant concern for most induction
through a shaft-to-core weld actually
MAGNETIC FLUX
rotors. The core test, performed using
bent the shaft.
50- or 60-Hz power, is not a useful
DENSITIES TO
test for most squirrel cage rotors. A
Armature Frequency
possible exception is the two-pole
Evaluation of dc armature core test
DETECT SHORTED
rotor, where the test might reveal
results must also consider the role of
localized hot spots that might contribfrequency. DC machines are designed
LAMINATIONS.
ute to thermal bowing and increased
to operate at a wide range of speeds,
vibration levels.
with the operating frequency being
Thus, the only benefit of using a core tester to check dependent on the revolutions per minute (r/min) and
SCIM rotors is to detect rotor cage anomalies. An open poles [6].
rotor bar can force the current, normally carried by the
Knowing that eddy currents are an ac phenomenon,
bar, to pass through the laminations in the vicinity of some are surprised to learn that a dc armature is subject
the break, generating heat. When used in conjunction to ac; each coil reverses polarity as it passes from pole to
with magnetic imaging paper or iron filings to check pole (Figure 10) while rotating. Unlike ac machines, the
the integrity of the rotor cage, the core loss tester can relationship between r/min and number of poles for dc
be useful.
machines is not fixed; therefore, the actual r/min affects
To avoid overheating of the rotor core, the magnetic the eddy-current losses in dc armatures. The operating
flux densities should be 1.82.3 kilolines of flux/cm 2 frequency of the armature should be a factor in evaluat(1215 kilolines of flux/in 2 ) as opposed to the ing the condition of the armature core.
To calculate the frequency of an armature, use the r/min
and number of poles:

62

TABLE 2. ROTOR OPERATING FREQUENCY FOURPOLE MOTOR, 60 HZ (50 HZ)

Armature frequency poles 3 r=min=120:

Full Load
(r/min)

Synchronous
Speed (r/min)

% Slip

Rotor
Frequency
(Hz)

1,746 (1,455)

1,800 (1,500)

3%

1.8 (1.5)

1,728 (1,440)

1,800 (1,500)

4%

2.4 (2)

1,692 (1,410)

1,800 (1,500)

6%

3.6 (3)

1,584 (1,320)

1,800 (1,500)

12%

7.2 (6)

An armature of a four-pole dc machine, rotating at

1,800 (1,500) r/min, is subject to 60 (50) Hz. At 900
r/min, the frequency drops to 30 Hz. At higher speeds,
the frequency increases, causing eddy-current losses to
increase as the square of the speed increases. The righthand column of Table 3 summarizes the impact of

Pole Iron
Field Coil

FLIR

87.8
117

74
F

Thermal image of SCIM rotor under test. (Photo courtesy of

EASA.)

Interpole

Armature

10
DC armature polarity reverses to ac.

TABLE 3. ARMATURE r/min AND FREQUENCY.

Poles

Speed
(r/min)

Armature
Frequency (Hz)

Relative
Core Loss

3,500

116.7

4.0

1,750

58

1.0

1,100

36.7

0.4

350

21.5

0.14

12
Armature undergoing core test. (Photo courtesy of EASA.)

TABLE 4. ADJUSTMENT FACTORS FOR DIFFERENT OPERATING FREQUENCY AND CORE LOSS.
Hz

25

50

60

120

240

400

Base

1.02 (1.5)

2.04 (3)

2.45 (3.6)

4.9 (7.2)

9.8 (14.4)

16.3 (24)

Watts loss/lb (kg)

1.04 (2.25)

4.17 (9)

6.0 (13)

24.0 (51.8)

96.0 (207)

267 (576)

IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  JAN j FEB 2011  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

Spindle Motors, Frequency,

operating frequency on core losses for
and Lamination Thickness
a four-pole armature at different operWhen high frequencies are discussed,
ating speeds.
EDDY-CURRENT
the spindle motor, often operating at
When a loop test or traditional
240 Hz or more, is another special
tester is used for armature or rotor
LOSSES WITHIN
case. Eddy-current losses vary in
cores, several drawbacks exist. The
proportion to the square of the lamisearch coil must fully encompass the
THE LAMINATIONS
nation thickness, so thinner laminaback iron. If the core has vent opentions (0.25 mm) are used to control
ings (Figure 11) in the back iron
PRODUCE
the eddy-current losses. Thinner
and the search coil lead is passed
RESISTIVE
laminations have a lower stacking
through a vent opening, only part of
factor because of the higher proporthe back iron is an active part of the
HEATING.
tion of insulation to steel lamination.
circuit.
Generators and electric motors asThe transformer ratio of the onesociated with the aircraft industry
turn current path and the search coil
assumes the same active iron for both.
When the amount of active iron is changed, such as by
routing the sensing leads through a vent opening, the
sensed voltage will not be the same as when the search
coil encompasses the entire back iron.
Why a one-turn coil? Physical arrangement of the
stator core allows full access inside and outside the stack,
varying with only the inclusion of the frame material (as
noted earlier), whereas with many rotors or armatures,
there is no free internal space to pass a cable. The only
means of passing a current through the center of the
rotor or armature assembly is through the shaft; thus,
the test leads attach directly to the shaft ends. (Note that
the only exception to this would be for a vertical hollowshaft-type machine.) When the sensing leads are connected to the shaft, the tester can only read the voltage
drop across the shaft. This bears emphasis. The sensing
11
leads do not measure the induced voltage in the core.
Consequently, the calculations for core losses as calcu- Armature core with axial vent ducts. (Photo courtesy of
lated by the on-board algorithm are not using the EASA.)
induced voltagethe input value for induced voltage is
actually the voltage drop across the shaft. The results are
erroneous and may directly result in failure to reveal a
damaged core or cause expensive repairs to a core that
does not require it (Figure 12).

63

Common sense should be applied

when evaluating a core. NEMA T-frame
motors generally use lower loss steel
HYSTERESIS
than older U frame and pre-NEMA
Importance of Frequency
motors. Energy-efficient motors with
To factor in the effect of frequency
LOSSES ARE
conservative densities and better grades
on core testing, consider the relative
of steel have lower losses than many
watts loss/lb for the same core at variHIGHER FOR
metric design motors. Vintage 25- or
ous applied frequencies (Table 4).
40-Hz motors are more likely to have
Because eddy-current losses are proporCARBON STEEL
thicker laminations, so a core test will
tional to the square of the frequency,
THAN SILICON
report higher eddy-current losses than
it is logical to apply the square root of
for a more recently manufactured 60the 6 W loss/kg limit (3.6) and change
STEEL.
or 50-Hz core. Finally, since eddythat in proportion to other operating
current losses are proportional to the
frequencies.
squared frequency, the core losses
For example, to determine the equivaduring a test applied at 60-Hz
lent losses for 120 Hz, double the 3.6
value, and square it. If a 60-Hz core loss test of a 120-Hz should be carefully evaluated for motors that operate at
core results in a good value of 13 W/kg (6 W/lb), the higher frequencies.
The material of the frame itself (steel, aluminum, cast
expected eddy-current losses operating at 120 Hz would be
51.8 W/kg (24 W/lb). See (4) and (5). Reasonable limits for iron) can influence the core test results. Although the
frequencies other than 60 Hz should be determined by col- frame does not affect the running core losses, this can
greatly skew the interpretation of the core test. Frame
lecting actual data.
construction has a lesser effect, as it affects stack presExpected loss is estimated by
sure. If the core is in full circumferential contact with
p 2
W=lb f =60 6
4 the core (as in a TEFC machine), the effect is much
greater than if the core is in intermittent contact (as in
an ODP design). Ideally, if the core test results are in
question, the stator should be removed from the frame
or
to avoid conflicting results.
p
Rotor cores function at comparatively minimal frequen5
W=kg f =60 132 ;
cies. Application of the stator core loss testing method is
generally inappropriate and except for minor, coincidental
rotor bar appearance, yields misleading information.
where f is the frequency applied.
Note: Although IEEE Standard 432 was administratively withdrawn in 2004, work in the IEEE Power &
Conclusions
For core loss testing of stators operating on 60-Hz (or Energy Society continues toward merging 432 and IEEE
50 Hz) sinusoidal power, IEEE Standard 432-1992 is the Standard 56, both of which pertain to insulation maintesource document. Reference [4] builds upon the document nance. When this article was submitted, the work was in
to establish procedures based on the core dimensions, draft 18.
weights, and standardized magnetic flux densities.
IEEE Standard 432 recommends core loss testing at References
5% over the magnetic flux density of the winding [1] Guide for Insulation Maintenance for Rotating Electrical Machinery (5 hp to
than 10 000 hp), IEEE Standard 432, 1992.
design. Industry practice adopted a value of 1.3 T, or [2] less
J. A. Britton, Recommendations for Core Loss Testing on Cage Type Induction
85 kilolines/in2, corroborated by major manufacturers of
Motors. Accident, MD: Phenix Technologies.
commercial core testers. Some evidence suggests using [3] Core Loss Testing in the Practical Motor Repair Environment. Louisville,
KY: Lexseco, 1989.
1 T (64.5 kilolines) as the target saturation level might
result in greater repeatability of results. The higher the [4] Stator Core Testing. EASA, Tech Note 17, 1992.
[5] Standard Test Procedure for Evaluation of Systems of Insulating Materials for
magnetic flux density, above the knee of the saturation
Random-Wound AC Electric Machinery. IEEE Standard 117.
curve, the greater the margin for error.
[6] Core Loss Testing: Tips for Special Cases. EASA Currents, Feb.2002.
As measured using a static core test, the losses of a [7] Recommended Practice for the Repair of Rotating Electric Machinery, ANSI/
EASA AR1002006.
good 50- or 60-Hz stator range between 2 and 9 W/kg
(1 and 4 W/lb) depends on steel grade; higher losses
usually indicate a defective core and require corrective
measures. As eddy-current losses vary as the square of Chuck Yung ([email protected]) is with EASA in St. Louis,
the applied frequency, the importance of core loss test- Missouri. Travis Griffith is with GE Oil & Gas in Houston,
ing increases with the frequency of the equipment Texas. Yung and Griffith are Senior Members of the IEEE.
under consideration. Spindle motors and armatures that This article first appeared as Core Loss Testing: A Good
operate at higher frequencies are far more critical than Procedure Gone Astray? at the 2009 Petroleum and Chemical
induction rotors.
Industry Conference.

IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  JAN j FEB 2011  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

commonly operate at 400 Hz,

requiring thinner laminations.

64