Inflatable capacitance measuring device

摘要

A capacitance test device has been developed for measuring the capacitance of the insulation wrap on armature bars in electromagnetic generators and motors. The test device comprises a probe having an electrode plate mounted on an inflatable bladder. The plate is formed of an elastomeric conductive material and is sufficiently flexible to make good surface contact with the insulation on an armature bar. The plate is electrically connected to a capacitance meter that is also coupled to ground as are the armature bars during testing. The bladder is initially deflated to reduce the thickness of the test device so that the device can be slid into the narrow gap between the insulated armature bars of a stator. Once positioned between the bars, the bladder is inflated with a pressure hose to press the electrode plate firmly against the surface of the insulation of the armature bar. Once the capacitance of the insulation has been measured, the bladder is deflated with the aid of a vacuum pump to minimize the width of the probe.