An online stator winding resistance estimation technique for temperature monitoring of line-connected induction machines

A new technique for stator-resistance (R_s)-based thermal monitoring of small line-connected induction machines is proposed in this paper. A simple device is developed for injecting a small DC signal into line-connected induction machines for estimation of R_s. The proposed DC injection device is capable of intermittently injecting a controllable DC bias into the motor with very low power dissipation. Experimental results under motor startup, load variation, and abnormal cooling conditions verify that the proposed technique provides an accurate estimate of R_s that is capable of responding to the changes in the motor thermal characteristics, resulting in reliable thermal protection. The proposed technique is a very practical method for thermal protection of small line-connected induction machines that can be implemented with low cost in a motor condition monitoring system.