Since a high degree of reliability is necessary for permanent magnet synchronous motors, the detection of a precursor for the demagnetization of permanent magnets is very important. This paper investigates the diagnosis of very slight PM demagnetization. The permanent magnet volume is altered so as to mimic the effect of demagnetization. This paper investigates the influence of demagnetization by using several methods: the 3D finite element analysis (FEA) of the motor, the measurement of high-frequency impedance, and the measurement and FEA of the stator voltage and current under vector control. We have obtained the following results. The back-EMF is proportional to permanent magnet volume, and there is no difference in the demagnetization in the radial direction and in the axial direction. Even harmonics and subharmonics of flux density at the teeth tip could be useful for diagnosis if a search coil is installed there. The relatively low frequency resistance at the -axis position is useful for diagnosis. Under vector control, the stator voltage is useful except in an intermediate torque range, and the intermediate torque is expressed by a simple equation.

The detection of a precursor to the demagnetization of permanent magnets is very important because a high degree of reliability is necessary in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). This paper investigated the diagnosis of very slight PM demagnetization. A part of the permanent magnet was altered to non-magnetic material so as to mimic the effect of demagnetization. The vibration characteristics were clarified for low demagnetization in PMSMs driven under vector control by experiments and 3D finite element (FE) analysis. We found that the amplitude of some components of the vibration was approximately proportional to the demagnetization level of the PM and the load torque. Therefore, the measurement of vibration and torque is very useful for the estimation of the magnetization level of PMSMs under vector control except for under very light load.