Could you tell me what is big difference in these?

MCA - Motor Circuit Analysis - is an off line test that looks at the resistance and reactance of a motor circuit from (normally) a motor control center. See PdMA or All-Test Pro web sites for more information.

MCSA - Motor Current Signature Analysis - is an on line test that examines the motor current for anomalies caused by the motor and its load. Again, look at the above sites for more information. Advances in on line testing have made this term somewhat obsolete as we test things other than just motors.

ESA - Electrical Signature Analysis - is the more recent terminology for an on line test that analyzes the voltage and current signals of a piece of electrical equipment (motor, generator, transformer, etc.) for anomalies in the supply or the equipment. Short answers but hope this is a start. Google any of the terms and you should get a ton of hits.

P.S. I am not affiliated in any way with the above firms, just a technology user of both.

Ken Culverson

Ken is correct.

MCSA is the analysis of current only for detecting motor and load related issues. In its simplest form, it is primarily used to detect broken rotor bars. However, companies such as CSI build the capability in to their data collectors and Iris Power Engineering, Inc. (Canada) has developed a hand-held MCSA device.

This is one of the reasons for distinguishing between between MCSA and ESA. The other commercial online electrical testers, such as the ATPOL (ALL-TEST Pro), PdMA EMax (PdMA), Baker Explorer (Baker Instruments), and EMPATH (Areva/Framatome) are all ESA devices. The key difference is that the voltage and current spectra can be compared and supply side (voltage) can be compared to downstream/load side (current) in order to determine where any issues reside.

For a very long time, the term MCSA was used to describe both. Presently, there is a lot of work going on within ISO for more definition of terms and certification. There is also an organization that was put together in 2006, the Institute of Electrical Motor Diagnostics, Inc. (IEMD - www.iemd.org) where you can link to any of the listed manufacturers for more information on their specifics, or become involved in the industry.

Sincerely,
Howard

Thank you all,