Protecting the widest range of hydro generators and motors

Sensonics has expanded its Capacitive Air Gap Sensors range for use in high magnetic field applications. Its CS probe/CSD driver combinations are now offered in an increased measurement range, covering 15mm, 25mm, 30mm, 50mm, or 70mm, to ensure highly effective monitoring for the smallest to the largest hydro generators.

Developed for usage on large electric motors and hydro turbine generators, the sensor provides a rotor-to-stator air gap measurement that can be used to monitor the rotor's eccentricity relative to the stator and individual pole-to-stator air gaps.

The CS sensors are created as a non-contact dynamic position transducer using a capacitive technique to provide an accurate displacement measurement from the sensor face to a metal target. The advantage of the capacitive technique in generator applications is the high immunity to magnetic fields; the series also offers high resolution and relative insensitivity to different (metal) target materials.

The sensor is available in a robust stripline mechanical arrangement, which is ideal for mounting on the stator wall. It features separate transmit and receive integral coaxial cables routed over the stator wall or through ventilation holes to the driver, which provides the transmission signal for the stripline and receiver detection.

Linearised optoisolated outputs are provided in voltage and current format, and they can be configured to represent various rotor pole measurements with respect to the stator. These include pole and rotor profile as well as an overall minimum gap output.