AUTOMATIC TESTING OF ELECTRIC MACHINE DISCONNECT

A system and method for testing a mechanical disconnect. The system comprises an electric machine, a rotating device, a disconnect device controllable to operate in a plurality of states, and a controller configured to test operation of the disconnect device. When operating in an engaged state of the plurality of states, the disconnect device is configured to couple rotational mechanical energy between the electric machine and the rotating device. When operating in a disengaged state of the plurality of states, the disconnect device is not configured to couple rotational mechanical energy between the electric machine and the rotating device. To test operation of the disconnect device, the controller is configured to: obtain a representation of a change in rotational speed of the electric machine; obtain a representation of an expected change in rotational speed of the electric machine; and determine, based on the obtained representation of the change in rotational speed of the electric machine and the representation of an expected change in rotational speed of the electric machine, whether the disconnect device has failed.