Low-frequency eddy current testing using HTS coil driven by PWM inverter

Abstract

When testing ferromagnetic materials such as iron, low-frequency eddy-current testing (LF-ECT) is used to avoid the skin effect. However, the drawback of LF-ECT is that the signal becomes weak at low frequencies. Furthermore, when the specimen is covered with protective materials, the signal becomes even weak, owing to the large lift-off. To overcome these drawbacks, we utilize a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) coil and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) inverter in the LF-ECT method. Using an HTS coil and a PWM inverter, strong currents are conducted, and the change in the coil resistance can be easily measured. The small impedance change of the HTS coil is detected by using a Maxwell bridge. The result demonstrates that a steel plate thickness of up to 20 mm can be estimated based upon the measurements of the change in the coil resistance, even when the lift-off is 98 mm.