Sensing and characterization of EMI during intermittent connector anomalies

This paper presents a new on-line methodology for detecting intermittent disconnection failures. The detection principle operates on the fundamental Lorentz Law that states that sudden changes in flux create a large voltage, resulting in an arc. This arc propagates as a traveling wave through the circuit until all the energy associated with it is dissipated. It is possible to detect that traveling wave as an indication of an intermittent disconnection failure. A test bench was implemented to test and validate the theory. Preliminary results presented in this paper show the feasibility of detecting disconnection failures and the possibility of locating the failing connector based on distance.