Course detail

Diagnostics in Electricity Industry

FEKT-MPA-DELAcad. year: 2025/2026

Content of the course covers basics of diagnostics in consequence of faults progress and symptoms and in context of the faults causes seeking and their relationships. Chosen diagnostics methods used for apparatus condition determination, level of failure assessment and faults location using analysis of electrical and non-electrical quantities are discussed.
The course is aimed to vibro-diagnostics, noise-diagnostics, infra-diagnostics, and some electro-diagnostic methods oriented to diagnostics of chosen electrical apparatus and to electro-insulating systems in general. There are taken into consideration fundamentals of progress and detection of faults, measurement and test systems, including signal analysis and evaluation procedures as a part of all mentioned diagnostic methods. Attention is also focused to subsequent utilization of diagnostic data for complex diagnostic systems of technological entities.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Jiří Drápela, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Electrical Power Engineering (UEEN)

Entry knowledge

General knowledge in electrical power engineering is expected, especially in the field of measurement and signal processing theory, respectively. In general, the subject knowledge on the Bachelor´s degree level is requested.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

There are evaluated of laboratory exercises, a group project and final exam according to the rules of FEEC. Laboratory training is rated at maximum of 25 points on the basis of submitted records, whereas 12 points is the minimum for admission to final exam. As for the group project evaluation, at maximum 15 points can be achieved, whereas 7 points is the minimum for admission to final exam. The final exam is of oral form, where 60 point can be acquired maximally and successful pass is conditional on obtaining 25 points at minimum.
Overall classification of the course is in compliance with the FEEC rules. Requirements for completion of the course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible of the course and are updated for every year.
The final exam is aimed at understanding in the field of power engineering apparatus diagnostics using vibro-, infra-, noise-diagnostics and chosen electro-diagnostics methods.
The content and forms of course units are specified by a regulation issued by the responsible lecturer and are updated for every academic year. In general, the presence at class is optional except laboratory training, which is mandatory. Missed laboratory training can be accomplished within semester in an alternative date in justified cases, whereas regular letter of apology and agreement with the teacher is required.

Aims

Introducing students to basics of diagnostics and testing, to methods of seeking failures and their analysis in production, transmission, distribution and utilization of electricity. Rating and reliability of used methods and tests. Utilization for apparatus service life control.
Student is able to:
- describe principles of diagnostics in engineering,
- discuss methods, testing and procedures of diagnostics in electrical power engineering,
- explain basics of vibro-, infra-, noise-diagnostics and chosen electro-diagnostics methods,
- perform diagnostics of common electric power apparatus,
- describe measurement and testing procedures,
- address condition of an apparatus, range of failure, including its localization.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Da Ruan, Paolo F. Fantoni. Power Plant Surveillance and Diagnostics. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2002, 386 pp., ISBN 978-3-540-43247-0 (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MPA-EEN Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jiří Drápela, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Technical diagnostics. Fundamentals, faults progress and symptoms, methods, instruments, diagnostic systems.
Vibrodiagnostic. Fundamentals, quantities, sensors, instrumentation. Signal analysis, faults analysis and their location.
Noise-diagnostic. Quantities, sensors, instrumentation, measurement methodology. Utilization of acoustic emissions in diagnostic.
Infradiagnostics. Fundamentals, detectors, thermovision systems. Diagnostics using thermovision.
Diagnostics based on input current analysis. Current transducers, instrumentation, signal analysis. Application on an asynchronous machine diagnostics.
Diagnostics of windings using impulse wave. Principal, utilization, test system, testing procedure and evaluation.
Insulation systems diagnostics. Diagnostics using frequency response. Fundamentals, utilization (transformers), testing system, measurement result evaluation.
Insulation systems diagnostics. Diagnostics using measurement of insulation apparent resistance and time constant. Fundamentals, utilization, testing system, measurement result evaluation.
Insulation systems diagnostics. Diagnostics using insulation system capacitance and loss factor. Fundamentals, utilization, testing system, measurement result evaluation.
Insulation systems diagnostics. Diagnostics using C2/C50 ratio. Fundamentals, utilization, testing system, measurement result evaluation.
Diagnostics of power networks insulation condition. Faults, diagnostic systems.
Diagnostics of chosen apparatus. Generators, machines, transformers, cables, power lines.
Information systems for Technological facilities Diagnostics. Integrated diagnostic systems, their architecture, utilization, solutions.

Fundamentals seminar

16 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jiří Drápela, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Development and design of diagnostic systems.
Signal processing and analysis.
Diagnostic data evaluation
Team-project presentations.

Laboratory exercise

10 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jiří Drápela, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Vibro-diagnostics of electrical machines in time domain.
Vibro-diagnostics of induction machine drive drives in frequency domain.
Electrical machines noise emission measurement and analysis.
Contactless temperature measurement.
Thermo-vision measurement and Infradiagnostics of electrical apparatus.
Power cables fault diagnostics using time domain reflectometry.
Winding diagnostics using impulse wave.
Induction machine diagnostics based on stator current analysis.
Insulation test of electrical machines by DC and AC voltage.
Monitoring of low voltage distribution systems insulation condition.