Rotating rectifier fault detection using exciter modelling in a brushless synchronous generator

Rotating rectifier fault detection is an ongoing challenge due to the inaccessibility of output and input voltages and currents. In this paper, the exciter is modelled as an inverted synchronous generator to calculate the field winding current and to diagnose rectifier bridge faults using field winding harmonic analysis. To achieve this, the exciter was modelled in both normal conditions and with a one diode open-circuit diode bridge. The harmonics that appear in the faulty condition may thus offer a way to detect faults. The accuracy of the modelling was thus evaluated by comparison with Simulink results.