Experiment 7

Measurement of Insulation Resistance

Withstand of Motors

Dr. S. Venkatesh
 Generic Aspects related to Measurement
of IR Value for Electric Motor
• Winding insulation resistance
 If the motor is not put into operation immediately upon arrival,
it is important to protect it against external factors like
moisture, high temperature and impurities in order to avoid
damage to the insulation.
 Before the motor is put into operation after a long period of
storage, it is necessary to measure the winding insulation
resistance.
• Three points are worth mentioning:
 Insulation Resistance
 The minimum insulation resistance of new, cleaned or repaired
windings with respect to ground shall be 10 Megohm or more.
 The minimum insulation resistance, R, is calculated by multiplying the
rated voltage Un, with the constant factor 0.5 Megohm/kV.
 Generic Aspects related to Measurement
of IR Value for Electric Motor
 Example: If the rated voltage is 690 V = 0.69 kV, the minimum insulation resistance
is: 0.69 kV x 0.5 Megohm/kV = 0.35 Megaohm
• Measurement
 Minimum insulation resistance of the winding to ground is measured with 500 V
DC. The winding temperature should be 25°C ± 15°C.
 Maximum insulation resistance should be measured with 500 V DC with the
windings at a operating temperature of 80 – 120°C depending on the motor type
and efficiency.
• Checking
 If the insulation resistance of a new, cleaned or repaired motor that has been
stored for some time is less than 10 Mohm, the reason might be that the windings
are humid and need to be dried.
 If the motor has been operating for a long period of time, the minimum insulation
resistance may drop to a critical level. As long as the measured value does not fall
below the calculated value of minimum insulation resistance, the motor can
continue to run. However, if it drops below this limit, the motor has to be stopped
immediately.
 Acceptance Norm for IR Withstand
Resistance for Motors- IEEE 43
• In accordance with IEEE 43, Clause 9.3, the following formula
should be applied:
 Min IR Value (For Rotating Machine) =(Rated voltage (V) /1000) + 1
Insulation Resistance Withstand Test for
Motors as per IEEE Standards

• Example-1: For 11KV, Three Phase

Motor
 IR Value =11+1=12 MΩ but as per IEEE43 it
should be 100 MΩ
• Example-2: For 415V,Three Phase Motor
 IR Value =0.415+1=1.41 MΩ but as per
IEEE43 it should be 5 MΩ
 Insulation Resistance Withstand Test for
Motors as per Indian Standards (IS)

• As per IS 732 Min IR Value of Motor:

 20*Voltagep-p /(1000+2*kW)
Insulation Resistance Withstand Test for
Motors as per NETA ATS 2007
IR Value of Submersible Motor
 References and Standards

• NFPA 70:2014, “National Electric Code”

• BS 7671:2001 (2004), "On-Site Guide- Wiring Regulations", 16th
Edition, IEE, 2004
• Brian Scaddan, "IEE Wiring Regulations- Explained and Illustrated",
6th Edition, Newnes, 2002
• “The Complete Guide to Electrical Insulation Testing”, Megger, 2006
• ANSI/NETA MTS-2011, “Standard for Maintenance Testing
Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems”, 2011
• IEEE 43:2013, “IEEE Recommended Practice for Testing Insulation
Resistance of Electric Machinery”, 2013
• IS 732: 2005, “Code of Practice for Electrical Wiring Installation”, 2005