Ce travail s’inscrit dans un projet consistant à développer un prototype de capteur RF autonome et intelligent permettant la réalisation d’un réseau de capteurs sans fil dans un environnement industriel. Cette thèse traite de l’étude, la conception et la réalisation de la partie radiofréquence de la chaîne d’émission sans fils du capteur RF dans la bande ISM 863-870 MHz en technologie CMOS AMS 0.35µm. Cette chaîne inclut toutes les fonctions depuis l’oscillateur local jusqu’à l’amplificateur de puissance. L’émetteur occupe une surface de 0.22mm² et consomme environ 27mA sous une tension d’alimentation de 3.3V. De nombreux principes innovants ont été mis en œuvre et validés. Tous ces principes peuvent être facilement transposés à d’autres standards de communication et dans d’autres bandes de fréquences. Les résultats de simulations du dessin des masques vérifient complètement les spécifications et confirment les simulations. Une caractérisation expérimentale partielle valide les nouvelles architectures proposées. / This work joins in a project consisting in developing prototype of an autonomous and smart RF sensor allowing the realization of a wireless sensor network in an industrial environment. This thesis deals with the study, the design and the realization of the radio-frequency part of the transmitter using the 863-870 MHz ISM band and the CMOS AMS 0.35µm technology. This transmitter includes all the functions from the local oscillator to the power amplifier. The integrated circuit occupies a surface of 0.22mm² and consumes approximately 27mA under a supply voltage of 3.3V. Numerous innovative principles were implemented and validated. All these principles can be easily transposed into other standards of communication and in other frequency bands. The results of the post-layout simulation completely satisfy the specifications and confirm the simulations. Partial experimental characterization validates new architectures proposed.

Cette thèse s’intéresse à l’étude d’une structure de moteur électrique à aimants permanents afin de réduire l’utilisation d’aimants à basse de terres rares et qui puisse être utilisée pour des applications industrielles. Il est montré dans la première partie de ce travail de recherche que la machine synchro-réluctante à aimants permanents est une bonne solution potentielle. Une analyse paramétrique est alors réalisée en utilisant une modélisation par éléments finis pour mettre en évidence les particularités de son comportement électromagnétique. Puis, une modélisation analytique multi-physique innovante du système convertisseur-moteur est détaillée dans le but de calculer les performances de ce dernier en un temps raisonnable. Les modèles multi-physiques présentés dans ces travaux concernent l’onduleur et le moteur. Ils intègrent les aspects électromagnétique, électrique, énergétique, thermique, mécanique et technico-économique. Le modèle multi-physique de la machine électrique est validé par comparaison à des résultats d’essais sur un prototype. Le modèle du système qui a été développé est ensuite utilisé dans une procédure de conception par optimisation de systèmes d’entrainements. Pour cela, une démarche d’optimisation originale est présentée pour le dimensionnement conjoint de deux applications en imposant la contrainte d’utiliser la même tôlerie magnétique. Il s’agit d’une part d’une application à vitesse fixe et d’autre part d’une application de type traction électrique. La méthode d’optimisation employée est à évolution différentielle. Les résultats des optimisations réalisées permettent de déterminer des conceptions optimales ou des compromis optimaux aux sens de Pareto qui répondent aux deux applications visées. Finalement, cette thèse a permis de positionner la machine synchro-réluctante à aimants permanents parmi les structures de machines à fort potentiel industriel. / This thesis focuses on the study of a structure of permanent magnet electric motor which reduces the amount used of permanent magnets composed of rare earths and which can be used in industrial applications. In the first part of the research work, it is shown that the permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance machine is a good alternative. A parametric analyse is realised using a finite element modelling in order to highlight the peculiarities of its electromagnetic behaviour. Then, an innovative multi-physic analytical modelling for the system inverter-motor is detailed in order to evaluate its performances in a reasonable computational time. The multi-physic models presented in this work concern the inverter and motor. They integrate the electromagnetic, electric, energetic, thermal, mechanic, and techno-economic aspects. The multi-physical model of the electric machine is validated by means of tests carried out on a prototype. The model of the system which has been developed is used in a design procedure by optimization of drive systems. For this purpose, an original optimization approach is presented for the simultaneous design of two applications by imposing the constraint of using the same magnetic lamination. On one hand it is an application of fixed speed and on the other hand an application of electric traction. The optimization method used is a type of differential evolution optimization. The results of the optimizations realised determine the optimal designs or the optimal compromise with Pareto front which deal with both applications. Finally, this thesis has placed the permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance machine among structures of machines with great industrial potential.

Depuis le début des années 2000, les composants en carbure de silicium (SiC) sont présents sur le marché principalement sous la forme de diodes Schottky et de transistors FET. Ces nouveaux semi-conducteurs offrent des performances en commutation bien supérieures à celles des composants en silicium (Si) ce qui se traduit par une diminution des pertes et une réduction de la température de fonctionnement à système de refroidissement identique. L’utilisation de composants SiC ouvre donc la possibilité de concevoir des convertisseurs plus compacts ou à une fréquence de commutation élevée pour une même compacité. C’est avec cet objectif d’augmentation de la fréquence de commutation qu’a été menée cette étude axée sur l’utilisation de composants SiC au sein d’un onduleur triphasé. Le convertisseur sur lequel se base l’étude accepte une tension d’entrée de 450V et fournit en régime nominal un courant de sortie efficace par phase de 40 A. Le choix des composants SiC s’est porté sur des transistors JFET Normally-Off et des diodes Schottky SiC car ces composants étaient disponibles à la vente au début de ces travaux et offrent des pertes en commutation et en conduction inférieures aux autres structures en SiC. Les transistors FET possèdent une structure et des propriétés bien différentes des IGBT habituellement utilisés pour des convertisseurs de la gamme considérée notamment par leur capacité à conduire un courant inverse avec ou sans diode externe. De ce fait, il est nécessaire de développer de nouveaux outils d’aide au dimensionnement dédiés à ces composants SiC. Ces outils de calculs sont basés principalement sur les paramètres électriques et thermiques du système et sur les caractéristiques des composants SiC. Les premiers résultats montrent qu’en autorisant la conduction d’un courant inverse au sein des transistors, il est possible de diminuer le nombre de composants. Basées sur ces estimations, une maquette de bras d’onduleur a été développée et testée. Les premiers thermiques montrent que pour une puissance de 12kW, il est possible d’augmenter la fréquence de commutation de 12 kHz à 100 kHz. / Since 2000, Silicon Carbide (SiC) components are available on the market mainly as Schottky diodes and FET transistor. These new devices provide better switching performance than Silicon (Si) components that leads to a reduction of losses and operating temperatures at equivalent cooling system. Using SiC components allows to a better converter integration. It is in this context that ECA-EN has started this thesis dedicated to using SiC devices in a three-phase inverter at high switching frequency. The converter object of this study is supply by a input voltage of 450V and provides a current of 40A per phase. The components used for these study are SiC Normally-Off JFET and Schottky Diodes because these devices were commercialized at the begining of this thesis and offer better switching performance than others SiC components. FET transistors have a different structure compared to traditionnal IGBT especially their capability to conduct a reverse current with or without body diode. So it is necessary to develop new tools dedicated to the design of converters built with SiC components. These tools are based on the electrical properties of the converters and the statics and dynamics characteristics of the transistor and the diode. The results show that when the transistors conduct a reverse current, the number of components/dies can be reduced. According to data, a PCB board of an inverter leg has been built and tested at ECA-EN. The thermal measurement based on the heatsink shows that the switching frequency of an inverter leg can be increased from 12 to 100 kHz for an ouput power of 12kW.

Orientador: Carlos Alberto Canesin / Resumo: No presente trabalho de dissertação, é analisado e desenvolvido um conversor ressonante com o objetivo de produzir ozônio, aplicado à água de processos de higienização industrial. Na atualidade, no ano de 2018, dois dos fatores de grande importância no desenvolvimento de conversores para geração de ozônio são: a eficiência energética, isto é, quanta energia é aproveitada em relação à energia total fornecida ao conversor, e a outra é a produção de ozônio fazendo uso dessa energia aproveitada. Os dois fatores não necessariamente estão relacionados, por exemplo, para dois conversores distintos com a mesma energia disponível, pode acontecer que em um deles possa ser produzido maiores concentrações de ozônio com um menor aproveitamento de energia. Portanto, este trabalho enfatiza a melhoria da eficiência energética na produção de ozônio, empregando comutação suave nas estruturas envolvidas do conversor ressonante proposto, o que resulta em uma eficiência energética de 91,57%. A estrutura do conversor proposto apresenta dois estágios em cascata, o primeiro deles, um conversor que é responsável por gerar um barramento CC estável de 400,5 V e que atende aos requisitos de fator de potência e distorção harmônica total com valores de 0,994 e 5,79%(para a corrente de entrada), respectivamente, e o segundo, um inversor ressonante capaz de fornecer uma tensão de 4,4 kV com uma frequência de 10 kHz que atua como fonte de alimentação de um reator conformado por câmaras de descarga usadas em ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In the present dissertation, it is studied and developed a resonant converter in order to produce ozone, applied in water treatment for cleaning processes. Currently, in the year 2018, two of the factors of great importance in the development of converters for ozone generation are: energy efficiency, that is, how much energy is used in relation to the total energy supplied to the converter, and the other is the production of ozone making use of this energy harnessed. The two factors are not necessarily related, for example, for two different converters with the same energy available, it can happen that in one of them can be produced higher concentrations of ozone with a lower use of energy. Therefore, this work emphasizes the improvement of energy efficiency in the production of ozone using soft switching in the involved structures of the proposed resonant converter, which results in an energy efficiency of 91.57%. The structure of the proposed converter has two stages in cascade, the first one, a converter that is responsible for generating a stable DC bus of 400.5 V and that meets the requirements of power factor and total harmonic distortion with values of 0.994 and 5.79% (for the input current), respectively, and the second, a resonant inverter capable of providing a voltage of 4.4 kV with a frequency of 10 kHz which acts as a power supply for a reactor formed by discharge chambers used in ozone generation applications by electric discharge. Naturally, relevant ozone info... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Cette thèse s’intéresse à l’étude d’une structure de moteur électrique à aimants permanents afin de réduire l’utilisation d’aimants à basse de terres rares et qui puisse être utilisée pour des applications industrielles. Il est montré dans la première partie de ce travail de recherche que la machine synchro-réluctante à aimants permanents est une bonne solution potentielle. Une analyse paramétrique est alors réalisée en utilisant une modélisation par éléments finis pour mettre en évidence les particularités de son comportement électromagnétique. Puis, une modélisation analytique multi-physique innovante du système convertisseur-moteur est détaillée dans le but de calculer les performances de ce dernier en un temps raisonnable. Les modèles multi-physiques présentés dans ces travaux concernent l’onduleur et le moteur. Ils intègrent les aspects électromagnétique, électrique, énergétique, thermique, mécanique et technico-économique. Le modèle multi-physique de la machine électrique est validé par comparaison à des résultats d’essais sur un prototype. Le modèle du système qui a été développé est ensuite utilisé dans une procédure de conception par optimisation de systèmes d’entrainements. Pour cela, une démarche d’optimisation originale est présentée pour le dimensionnement conjoint de deux applications en imposant la contrainte d’utiliser la même tôlerie magnétique. Il s’agit d’une part d’une application à vitesse fixe et d’autre part d’une application de type traction électrique. La méthode d’optimisation employée est à évolution différentielle. Les résultats des optimisations réalisées permettent de déterminer des conceptions optimales ou des compromis optimaux aux sens de Pareto qui répondent aux deux applications visées. Finalement, cette thèse a permis de positionner la machine synchro-réluctante à aimants permanents parmi les structures de machines à fort potentiel industriel. / This thesis focuses on the study of a structure of permanent magnet electric motor which reduces the amount used of permanent magnets composed of rare earths and which can be used in industrial applications. In the first part of the research work, it is shown that the permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance machine is a good alternative. A parametric analyse is realised using a finite element modelling in order to highlight the peculiarities of its electromagnetic behaviour. Then, an innovative multi-physic analytical modelling for the system inverter-motor is detailed in order to evaluate its performances in a reasonable computational time. The multi-physic models presented in this work concern the inverter and motor. They integrate the electromagnetic, electric, energetic, thermal, mechanic, and techno-economic aspects. The multi-physical model of the electric machine is validated by means of tests carried out on a prototype. The model of the system which has been developed is used in a design procedure by optimization of drive systems. For this purpose, an original optimization approach is presented for the simultaneous design of two applications by imposing the constraint of using the same magnetic lamination. On one hand it is an application of fixed speed and on the other hand an application of electric traction. The optimization method used is a type of differential evolution optimization. The results of the optimizations realised determine the optimal designs or the optimal compromise with Pareto front which deal with both applications. Finally, this thesis has placed the permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance machine among structures of machines with great industrial potential.

<p>Предложен контролни алгоритам за инвертор повезан на мрежу<br />омогућава реализацију сваког профила контролисаних електричних<br />величина који је у домену физичких могућности дистрибуираног извора.<br />Другим речима, управљачки програм не обезбеђује остваривање<br />дискретног спектра режима, као што је то до сада био случај са<br />решењима предложеним у научној литератури, већ омогућава сигурну<br />производњу произвољног профила фазних струја и напона. Показано је<br />да предложено решење задовољава најстроже релевантне законске<br />регулативе. У раду је анализиран већи број функционалности и испитан<br />је њихов утицај на процес производње електричне енергије с акцентом на<br />хаваријске режиме. Разматрана је интеракција дистрибуираних изво-ра и<br />дистрибутивне мреже у режимима са поремећајима и приложен је већи<br />број експерименталних резултата прикупљених употребом HIL окружења.</p> / <p>Predložen kontrolni algoritam za invertor povezan na mrežu<br />omogućava realizaciju svakog profila kontrolisanih električnih<br />veličina koji je u domenu fizičkih mogućnosti distribuiranog izvora.<br />Drugim rečima, upravljački program ne obezbeđuje ostvarivanje<br />diskretnog spektra režima, kao što je to do sada bio slučaj sa<br />rešenjima predloženim u naučnoj literaturi, već omogućava sigurnu<br />proizvodnju proizvoljnog profila faznih struja i napona. Pokazano je<br />da predloženo rešenje zadovoljava najstrože relevantne zakonske<br />regulative. U radu je analiziran veći broj funkcionalnosti i ispitan<br />je njihov uticaj na proces proizvodnje električne energije s akcentom na<br />havarijske režime. Razmatrana je interakcija distribuiranih izvo-ra i<br />distributivne mreže u režimima sa poremećajima i priložen je veći<br />broj eksperimentalnih rezultata prikupljenih upotrebom HIL okruženja.</p> / <p>Proposed grid-connected inverter control algorithm enables production of any<br />controlled variables&rsquo; profile that is in the domain of converter&rsquo;s physical<br />capabilities. In other words, the control program does not allow only for a<br />narrow spectrum of different working regimes to be realized, as it was the case<br />previously with the solutions proposed in the literature, but can result in a safe<br />production of arbitrary meaningful phase currents and voltages profiles. It was<br />demonstrated that the proposed solution satisfies the most stringent of the Grid<br />Codes. Furthermore, advanced functionalities not addressed in the Grid Codes<br />were also analysed and the influence of those functionalities&rsquo; application on<br />the process of the energy production during the grid faults was evaluated in<br />the dissertation. Interaction between the distributed generation units and the<br />distribution network was studied and a number of HIL experimental results are<br />provided.</p>

L’objectif de cette thèse est de proposer des stratégies de diagnostic dans le cas d'une commande en vitesse sans capteur mécanique (vitesse/position) d’une machine asynchrone triphasée en présence de défaut d'ouverture des transistors IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) de l’onduleur. Une étude de l’impact de ces défauts sur les performances de ces structures sans capteur mécanique en termes de stabilité et de robustesse des observateurs en mode dégradé est présentée. Un observateur par mode glissant (Sliding Mode Observer) à base de modèle est développé et validé expérimentalement en vue de la commande sans capteur mécanique de la machine asynchrone triphasée. Les signaux issus de l’observateur (approche modèle) sont utilisés conjointement avec ceux mesurés (approche signale) pour former une approche hybride de diagnostic de défauts des transistors IGBT de l’onduleur. Un observateur par mode glissant d’ordre 2 à base d’un algorithme Super-Twisting est ensuite développé en vue d’améliorer la stabilité et d’assurer la continuité de fonctionnement du système en présence d'un défaut afin de pouvoir appliquer une stratégie de commande tolérante aux défauts dans les meilleures délais et conditions de fonctionnement. / The main goal of this thesis is to propose diagnostic strategies in the case of a sensorless speed control of a three-phase induction motor under an opened-switch or opened-phase fault. A qualitative analysis of the performances, in terms of stability and robustness, of sensorless control applied to the electrical drive in pre-fault and post-fault operation modes is presented. A model-based sliding mode observer is developed and experimentally validated for sensorless speed control of three-phase induction motor. The signals issued from the observer (model approach) as well as the measured ones (signal approach) are simultaneously used to form a hybrid approach for inverter open-switch fault detection and identification. A second-order sliding mode observer based on Super-Twisting algorithm (STA) is also developed to improve the stability and to ensure the continuity of operation of the electrical drive especially during transient states induced by the fault, permitting thus to apply the reconfiguration step without losing the control

This thesis deals with a new solution for medium voltage drives. Load Commutated Inverter (LCI) fed synchronous motor drive is a popular solution for high power drive applications. Though the induction machine is more rugged and cheaper compared to the synchronous machine, LCI fed induction motor drive solution is not available. The basic advantage of a synchronous machine over an induction machine is the fact that the synchronous machine can operate at leading power factor. Due to this property load commutation of SCR switches of the LCI is achievable for synchronous machine. On the contrary an induction machine always draws lagging power factor current; this makes it unsuitable as a drive motor for LCI technology. In this thesis a new LCI fed induction motor drive configuration is developed as an alternative for synchronous motor drives. A new variant of six phase induction motor is proposed in this context. The machine is named as Active Reactive Induction Machine (ARIM). The ARIM contains two sets of three-phase windings with isolated neutral. Both the windings have a common axis. One winding carries the active power and can be wound for higher voltage (say 11kV). The other winding supplies the total reactive power of the machine and can be wound for lower voltage (say 2.2 kV). The rotor is a standard squirrel cage. High power induction machines usually demand lesser magnitude of reactive power compared to the total power rating of the machine ( 20% ). Therefore excitation winding has a smaller fraction of the total machine rating compared to the power winding. A VSI with an LC filter supplies reactive power to the ARIM through the excitation winding and ensures leading power factor at the power winding. This is similar to the excitation control of the LCI fed synchronous machine. The direct VSI connection is possible due to the lower voltage rating for the excitation winding. In this way, the VSI voltage rating does not limit the highest motor voltage that can be handled. An LCI supplies the real power into the ARIM from the power winding. The LCI currents are quasi square wave in shape. Therefore they have rich low order harmonic content. They cause 6th and 12th harmonic torque pulsations in the machine. This is a problem for the LCI fed synchronous machine drive. In the proposed drive, the VSI can compensate these low frequency m.m.f. harmonics inside the machine air gap to remove torque pulsation and rotor harmonic losses. The advantage of the proposed topology is that no transformer is required to drive an 11kV machine. It is always desirable to feed sinusoidal voltage and current to both the power winding and the excitation winding. To address this problem, a second configuration is proposed. A low power three-level VSI is connected in shunt at the power winding with the proposed ARIM drive as discussed above. This VSI compensates the low frequency harmonic currents to achieve sinusoidal motor currents at the motor winding. This VSI acts as a shunt active filter and compensates for the lower order harmonics injected by the LCI. The proposed topologies have LC filters to maintain sinusoidal motor voltages and currents by absorbing the VSI switching frequency components. But the motor terminal voltage oscillates at system resonant frequency due to the presence of LC filters. These resonant components in the terminal voltages are required to be eliminated for smooth terminal voltages and safe load commutation of the thyristors. In this thesis a simple active damping method is proposed to mitigate these issues. The proposed topologies are experimentally verified with an ARIM with 415 V power winding and 220 V excitation winding. The control is carried out on a digital platform having a TMS 320LF 2407A DSP processor and an ALTERA CYCLONE FPGA processor. Results from the prototype experimental drive are presented to show the feasibility and performance of the proposed drive configurations.

La presente tesis estudia, propone y realiza sus principales aportaciones en el campo del control para el convertidor CC/CA de tres niveles, sobre la topología denominada Neutral-Point-Clamped, aunque se puede extender a otras topologías y/o número de niveles. Se presenta una metodología de modelado que emplea funciones de conmutación de fase, el operador de promediado y la transformación D-Q, tal que los modelos obtenidos en el dominio D-Q contienen una información completa sobre la dinámica del sistema. La estrategia de conmutación se puede entender como una extensión de la estrategia PWM senoidal de dos a tres niveles. Esta estrategia es simple y no realiza el control de ninguna de las variables del sistema. En esta tesis, el controlador se encarga de regular todas las variables del sistema, incluido el equilibrio del bus de continua. Este es un enfoque diferente del convencional, donde el equilibrio del bus de continua se consigue mediante la elección adecuada de los estados redundantes del convertidor en la estrategia de conmutación, mientras que el resto de variables se regulan a través del controlador. Para la realización del controlador, se propone la técnica de control lineal multivariable LQR (Linear Quadratic Regulator), complementada con la técnica de control no lineal adaptativo denominada programación de ganancia (Gain Scheduling). Se presenta, además, una metodología de cálculo del controlador. Este control es versátil, abierto y adaptable. En cualquier caso, el controlador se puede adaptar a las necesidades concretas de cada aplicación. El cálculo del controlador se realiza mediante simulación con MatLab-Simulink. Los modelos matemáticos que emplean las funciones de conmutación del convertidor son aquellos que ofrecen un mejor compromiso entre velocidad de simulación y precisión. Para validar el control propuesto, se ha diseñado y construido un equipo experimental donde el controlador se ha mostrado aplicable, útil y eficaz en la regulación de las distintas cargas y aplicaciones experimentadas, incluso con carga no lineal, bajo diferentes condiciones de trabajo y variables a controlar, tanto en régimen permanente como en procesos transitorios. La rapidez y calidad de la respuesta transitoria es comparable a la de otros sistemas de control publicados. Es especialmente interesante el excelente control conseguido del equilibrio del bus de continua. Además, la robustez del control permite cancelar el error estacionario aunque diferentes parámetros del sistema presenten desviaciones significativas respecto los valores esperados. El uso de la programación de ganancia junto con la técnica LQR se ha mostrado muy efectivo, puesto que permite realizar diferentes tipos de control. Se ha comprobado la congruencia entre simulaciones y resultados experimentales obtenidos, lo que valida los modelos de simulación empleados y el proceso de diseño del controlador mediante simulación. / This dissertation study, propose and carry out the main contributions in the field of three-level inverter control, using the topology Neutral-Point-Clamped, although results can be extended to other topologies and/or number of levels. A procedure for modelling is presented, based on line-switching functions, moving average operator and D-Q transformation. Then, the obtained models in D-Q frame contain complete information about system dynamics. Switching strategy is simple and can be considered as an extension of two-level sinusoidal PWM to three level. The system variables are not controlled by the switching strategy. In this work, all the system variables are controlled by the regulator, including DC-link balance. This control approach is different than the conventional one, where DC-link balance is achieved by means of a proper selection of redundant states in the switching strategy, and the other variables are controlled by the regulator. The regulator is based on the multivariable linear control technique LQR (Linear Quadratic Regulator), in combination with the non-linear adaptive control technique Gain Scheduling. Moreover, a methodology for the calculation of the controller is presented. This controller is versatile, open and adaptable. However, the controller can be built depending on the concrete specifications of each application. The controller is calculated by means of simulation using MatLab-Simulink. The mathematical models based on the switching functions of the converter give the best trade-off between simulation speed and precision. In order to validate the proposed controller, an experimental prototype has been designed and implemented. Experimental results show that the controller is useful and effective for the regulation of different loads and applications, even with non-linear loads, different operation points and variables to control, in steady-state and transitory operation. Dynamic response speed and quality are similar to other control systems in the literature. The DC-link balance control achieved is specially interesting. Furthermore, steady-state error is cancelled due to the robustness of the controller, even though significant deviation of different system parameters are present. The use of Gain-Scheduling in combination with LQR is effective, allowing the calculation of regulators with different control strategies. Good agreement between simulations and experimental results has been found. This result validates simulation models and the design method for the controller, based on simulations.

Pulse width modulation (PWM) voltage source converters (VSC) are one type of motor drives that have become popular because they enable precise control of speed and torque in medium voltage motors. However, these drives are known to have adverse effects on the insulation system particularly on conductive armour tape (CAT) and semi-conductive stress grading tape (SGT). These tapes, which are crucial components of the insulation system, control the surface electrical stresses in the stator slot and in the end portion of the form-wound coils outside the grounded stator. The material properties of CAT and SGT and the methods by which they are applied on form-wound motor coils are traditionally designed for power frequency, or a 60 Hz sinusoidal voltage. However, because of the high frequencies associated with the repetition rate and the fast rise time of the PWM pulses, elevated electrical and thermal stresses develop in these tapes, which can lead to premature insulation failure. Little research has been conducted with respect to understanding the mechanism of dielectric heating as a function of frequency and repetitive pulse characteristics. The material characterization of CAT and SGT is a vital part of an investigation of the performance of the stress relief system at high frequencies. In this study, the anisotropic dielectric properties of CAT and SGT have been measured in dc and ac and in low and high electric fields. The laboratory experiments for determining the material characteristics are discussed and the results analyzed. According to the ac space charge limited field (SCLF) theory, the maximum ac tangential component of the electric field in a nonlinear resistive SGT on medium voltage form-wound motor coils can be predicted from the field dependent electrical conductivity and the frequency. However, the SCLF theory cannot predict the total electric field (vector sum of the tangential and normal components) in the air adjacent to the surface of the tapes. Simulations of the electric field using a finite element method (FEM), is one of the best ways of finding the resultant electric field distribution in the air space adjacent to the SGT. However, prior to this study, researchers simplified the modelling of the stress relief system to avoid the convergence problems that develop due to the nonlinearity of the SGT conductivity as a function of the electric field, and also because of the geometry and dimensions of the tapes when their depths are orders of magnitude smaller than the other dimensions associated with form-wound coils. For modelling the stress grading (SG) system at power frequency and at the rated voltage, the dc isotropic conductivity of the SGT and CAT has also been extensively investigated. However, relatively little work has been done with respect to the ac electrical behaviour of these materials and dc modelling cannot reflect the effects of high-frequency stresses on the machine insulation. In this study, comprehensive transient FEM modelling has been developed in order to simulate the insulation system with nonlinear field dependent materials. The actual dimensions of the components are applied in the model, and the appropriate material parameters for the FEM simulations are extracted from the experimental test results. One crucial point that has not been considered in previous studies is the effect of the component of the electric field that is normal to the surface of the coil. In most studies, only the tangential component of the electric field is considered; however, in this study, both components and the resultant electric field are computed. The surface tangential field is calculated with reference to the gradient of the surface potential as measured with an electrostatic voltmeter. It is shown that this technique can provide a reasonable estimate for the tangential field along the SG system, but not without limitations, which are discussed in detail. Based on laboratory work and analytical analysis, this research has successfully determined the relationship between the thermal effect of the PWM voltage and the other repetitive fast pulses, such as square wave and impulse voltages. The influence of the pulse characteristics on the development of stresses has also thoroughly investigated, and the results are presented. A coupled electric and thermal model that incorporates the finite element method (FEM) is used as a means of studying thermal stresses and determining appropriate remedies. However, using transient analysis as an approach for finding the temperature profile associated with high repetitive impulses (1-10 kHz) and fast rise times (~200 ns) is both difficult and impractical. According to these considerations, an alternative method has been developed from stationary analyses based on two sinusoidal voltages of different frequencies. The frequency and amplitude of these sinusoids are measured relative to the switching frequency, signal power, and nonlinearity of the system, and the results of the simulation are then verified experimentally, thus showing the efficacy of this method. This research also concluded that a capacitive SG system with conductive foil embedded in the groundwall insulation can be a practical alternative to a conventional SGT of form-wound coils in inverter fed motors. The performance of the capacitive SG scheme is independent of frequency and can therefore provide the required mitigation of the stress caused by repetitive fast pulses. The results of the evaluation of this system with respect to qualification tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the system.