Electric drive systems with long feeder cables

What is it about?

Consider an electric drive system consisting of a motor, the power electronics to power the motor, and the two them connected by a long cable feeder. Switched voltages with short rise time applied to long cables feeders in electric drive systems can cause transmission line effects, characterised by high frequency, high voltage oscillations throughout the cable and at the machine. This can lead to breakdown voltage (sparking), insulation breakdown, and high differential mode and common mode currents and bearing currents, ultimately leading to the failure of the machine. Because transmission line effects are high frequency, the appropriate high frequency models are required to model this. High frequency models for the inverter, cable and machines are presented. Mitigation methods for these high frequency voltage oscillations are included.

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Why is it important?

An up to date, state of the art review of high frequency cable and machine models for transmission line effects and mitigation methods has been conducted. Greater adaption of electrical solutions have been observed throughout aviation, transport, and industry and thus topologies such as this are becoming more prevalent. An better understanding of the appropriate modelling techniques for electric drive systems with long feeder cables is required to correctly implement mitigation solutions of transmission line effects.