Modeling and Detection of Phase Current Sensor Gain Faults in PMSM Drives

The fault of current sensors in AC electric drives can cause inaccurate tracking of the control reference and torque oscillations, that can lead to damage of mechanical components. Therefore, the development of accurate detection techniques of these faults plays a crucial role for the proper management of the electric drive and for the fault isolation and estimation. In the paper, a model-based method for the detection of phase current sensor gain faults in a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) drive with Field Oriented Control (FOC) is proposed. At first, a mathematical model is presented, which allows an accurate determination of the analytical closed-form expression of the steady-state stator currents, taking into account the effects both of the current control regulators and of any current sensors gain faults. Starting from this model, a low-computation algorithm has been carried out, which allows not only to detect and isolate the current sensors affected by the gain fault, but also to estimate the gain values starting from the measured phase currents and motor speed. The model and the diagnostic algorithm performance is verified by means of numerical and experimental results.