IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i8p2067-d1636629.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Comprehensive Review of Shaft Voltages and Bearing Currents, Measurements and Monitoring Systems in Large Turbogenerators

Author

Listed:
  • Katudi Oupa Mailula

    (Discipline of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa)

  • Akshay K. Saha

    (Discipline of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa)

Abstract

Turbine generators are essential for power generation, but the presence of shaft voltages and currents poses significant challenges to their reliability, efficiency, and operational lifespan. These phenomena, arising from electromagnetic induction, poor shaft grounding, rotor excitation systems, and varying operational conditions, can lead to severe damage to bearings and rotors, resulting in costly downtime and maintenance. This study reviews the mechanisms behind shaft voltage and current generation, their impact on turbine generators, and the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies, including shaft earthing brushes, bearing insulation, and advanced health monitoring systems. Furthermore, it explores emerging techniques for measuring and diagnosing shaft voltage and current, as well as advancements in predictive maintenance and condition monitoring. This study further explores the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in predictive maintenance, leveraging real-time condition monitoring and fault diagnostics. By analyzing existing and emerging mitigation strategies, this study provides a comprehensive evaluation of solutions aimed at minimizing these electrical effects. The findings underscore the importance of proactive management strategies to enhance generator reliability, optimize maintenance practices, and improve overall power system stability. This research serves as a foundation for future advancements in shaft voltage mitigation, contributing to the long-term sustainability of power generation infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Katudi Oupa Mailula & Akshay K. Saha, 2025. "A Comprehensive Review of Shaft Voltages and Bearing Currents, Measurements and Monitoring Systems in Large Turbogenerators," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-45, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:8:p:2067-:d:1636629
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2067/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2067/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sebastian Berhausen & Tomasz Jarek, 2021. "Method of Limiting Shaft Voltages in AC Electric Machines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-19, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sebastian Berhausen & Stefan Paszek, 2021. "Determination of the Leakage Reactance of End Windings of a High-Power Synchronous Generator Stator Winding Using the Finite Element Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Karolina Kudelina & Bilal Asad & Toomas Vaimann & Anton Rassõlkin & Ants Kallaste & Huynh Van Khang, 2021. "Methods of Condition Monitoring and Fault Detection for Electrical Machines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Sebastian Berhausen & Tomasz Jarek & Petr Orság, 2022. "Influence of the Shielding Winding on the Bearing Voltage in a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Sebastian Berhausen & Tomasz Jarek, 2022. "Analysis of Impact of Design Solutions of an Electric Machine with Permanent Magnets for Bearing Voltages with Inverter Power Supply," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.
    5. Lei Yang & Ying Yang & Junfu Wen & Lei Jia & Erle Yang & Ruifang Liu, 2022. "Suppression of Rotor-Grounding Bearing Currents Based on Matching Stator and Rotor Grounding Impedances," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:8:p:2067-:d:1636629. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.