A new method for obtaining the thermal conductivity of electrical insulation

In the field of all types of large rotating machinery, design groups are keenly interested in having accurate and absolute values for the thermal conductivity of large coils as they exist in laminated iron slots. Thermal losses and temperature gradients are important design criteria for these machines. In many types of machines, the stator windings are not direct cooled with water or hydrogen gas circulating either through or in close proximity to the copper conductors. Therefore, the heat generated in the copper conductors must flow through the electrical insulation making this rate of flow very critical in the design and performance of the machine.