Larry Stutts wrote:
It looks to me like the exciter may have lost current. If there is enough residual magnetism and the shaft is lightly loaded, the speed can increase to dangerous levels. Did the RPM rise to some extreme level - like beyond maximum speed? I have seen DC motors fly apart because they lost field current without any significant load and the motor speed literally went through the roof.
Hello Larry ,
Thanks for your thoughts. I don't believe speed was a factor, as the exciter is install directly on the propulsion shaft. I have not seen the damage yet as vessel is headed to port. But it looks to me that maybe something came loose and tore the windings apart. Wouldn't the winding ends be burnt were it opened, also small pieces of wire blown everywhere, and it looks like the winding wire has sharp edges leading me to think it was tore apart.
Thanks,
Steve