Inference life-models of electrical insulating materials by using a Kalman filter

A Kalman filter is applied to life tests for characterizing electrical or thermal endurance of electrical insulating materials. This recursive estimator provides updated life model parameter values after each life test. The life models are: (1) inverse power law and the exponential law, used for electrical or multi-stress ageing; and (2) Arrhenius model, used for thermal ageing. The state, prediction, and updating equations of the Kalman filter algorithm are specified for insulation endurance inference. Insight into the definition of the state variables, which are directly related to the model parameters, and determination of system and observation errors are developed. A recursive breakdown test detects important changes in the prevailing ageing process. The range of validity of the life model, as well as information on electrical and thermal threshold are considered. A flow chart of the filtering algorithm is presented. Example experimental results relevant to insulating materials and systems subjected to electrical and thermal life tests are processed according to the algorithm