Calculation Methods - Motor Starting Page 1 of 5

M otor Starting Calculation M ethods

ETAP provides two methods for motor starting: Dynamic Motor Acceleration and Static Motor Starting. Both methods perform time-domain simulations and report results in both
text report and plot formats.

The purpose of performing a motor starting study is twofold: to investigate whether the starting motor can be successfully started under the operating conditions and to see if starting
the motor will seriously impede the normal operation of other loads in the system.

The Dynamic Motor Acceleration and Static Motor Starting differ in the way the starting motors are modeled.

Dynamic M otor Acceleration

In Dynamic Motor Acceleration, a dynamic model throughout the whole simulation models the accelerating motor. For this study, you also need to specify a load torque model for
the load that the motor is driving.

From the Model page for induction motor, or the LR Model page for synchronous motor, you can specify motor dynamic model from one of the five different types:

 Single1 - Equivalent (Thevenin) circuit model with constant rotor resistance and reactance

 Single2 - Circuit model with deep-bar effect, rotor resistance and reactance change with speed

 DBL1 - Double cage circuit model, with integrated rotor cages

 DBL2 - Double cage circuit model, with independent rotor cages

 TSC - Torque slip characteristic curve model

While the Single1, Single2, DBL1, and DBL2 models are all based on an electrical circuit representation of the motor, the TSC model allows you to model a starting motor directly
from the manufacturer’s performance curves. You can choose one of the existing library models or create your own motor model in the Motor Library.

ETAP also allows you to model the load torque curve for each individual motor. You can choose one of the existing library models or create your own motor model in the Motor
Load Library.

Due to the difference in modeling of starting motors, you may perform the static motor starting study if you are more concerned with the effect of motor starting on other operating
loads in the system or if information on dynamic model for the starting motor is not available. On the other hand, if you are concerned with the actual acceleration time or whether
the starting motor can be successfully started, a dynamic motor acceleration study should be performed.

Static M otor Starting

In the Static Motor Starting method, it is assumed that the starting motor can always be started. You specify from the Motor Editor motor acceleration time at 0% and 100% of the
load, and the module interpolates the acceleration time for the motor load based on these two values.

During the acceleration period, the motor is represented by its locked-rotor impedance, which draws the maximum possible current from the system and has the most severe effect
on other loads in the system. Once the acceleration period has passed, the starting motor is changed to a constant kVA load and ETAP simulates the load ramping process according
to the starting and final loads specified in the motor editor. Refer to Motor Starting Category page in Motor editor for more information.

Load Transition
In an event, you can specify a load transition to transfer system operating load from one loading category to another. This allows you to globally adjust the system load during motor
starting studies. You may apply a load transition to all operating loads or to a group of loads by setting an upper limit of capacity on loads to be involved in the load transition.
Additionally, you can start motors through load transition if the load percent is changed from zero to a non-zero value.

Due to the complexity involved in the interaction between normal motor starting actions and load transition, the following rules are implemented to resolve conflicts in motor
starting action preparation.

1. If, in an event, both action by load or starting category and action by load transition call for change of status or loading of a load, the action by load or starting category takes
priority.

2. If a load, whether a motor, an MOV, a static load, or a capacitor, is switched on/off through actions by load or starting category in one event, the load transition will not apply
to this load from that point on.

3. If, in a load transition, the load percent of a motor (or an MOV) is changed from zero percent to a non-zero value, this motor (or MOV) will be started at the new load percent
(non-zero value). And from this point on, the load transition will not apply on this motor (or MOV) any more.

4. Load transition does not apply on MOVs that have initial status as either Open or Closed .

5. In calculating load for a load transition, it takes into consideration the options for load diversity factors entered in the Motor Study Case editor for prestart load flow.

M OV M otor Starting
MOVs are specially designed motors that have different operational characteristics from regular motors. Since these motors behave close to constant impedance load during
operation, they are modeled as constant impedance load in motor starting calculations.

The operation mode of an MOV may be opening or closing a valve, depending upon its initial status. To start an MOV motor, its status has to be either open or closed. If the initial
status of an MOV is open, its operation mode will be closed and if the initial status is closed, its operation mode will be open. Both modes involve several stages of operation as
defined in the Characteristic group of the Nameplate page in MOV Editor. For each stage, the impedance to represent the MOV is calculated based on the current and power factor
for the stage and the rated voltage. Once the MOV is configured to start from the study case, it is assumed that the MOV will not consume any power before the event is executed.

Note: Once the MOV is configured to start from the study case, it is assumed that the MOV will not consume any power before the event is executed.

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For one motor starting simulations, a MOV is allowed to start only once due to infrequent operations of MOV.

Starting Device
A starting motor can have one of thirteen types of starting devices modeled in the Motor Starting studies, including four general models for soft starter. You can specify starting
device type and its control characteristics from the Start Dev page of Induction Motor editor or Synchronous Motor editor. Depending on the model type selected to represent a
starting motor, certain types of starting device may not apply. The following table gives applicable starting devices for each type of motor models.

Starting Device M odeled in M otor Starting Studies

Motor M odel
Starting Device M odel Static M otor
Starting Dynamic M otor Starting
LRZ Single 1 Single 2 Double 1 Double 1 TSC
Auto-XFMR Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Stator R Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Stator X Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Capacitor @ Bus Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Capacitor @ Term Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rotor R Yes No Yes No No No
Rotor X Yes No Yes No No No
Y/D Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Partial Winding Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Current Limit Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Current Control Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Voltage Control Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Torque Control No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Generation Category Change

In power system operations, it happens sometimes that while a larger motor is in the process of starting up, a major source such as a power grid suddenly changes its operating
values for the magnitude of voltage at the interface point between the power grid and your electrical system. To simulate this situation, ETAP allows you to change generation
category for generators and power grids. In any event, you can change generation category from the existing one to any category. The operating values for the ten generation
categories are entered from the Rating page of Synchronous Generator editor or Power Grid editor.

If a system contains multiple power sources (generators and power grids), change of generation for any power source will potentially alter operating conditions of other power
sources. In motor starting calculation , whenever there is a change of generation category for a generator or a power grid, ETAP uses the prestart system loading to determine
internal voltage magnitude and angle of all generators and power grids. These internal voltage magnitude and angle values stay constant until there is a new change of generation
category.

M otor Starting vs. Transient Stability Studies

The motor starting calculation is intentionally directed to investigate the behavior of a starting motor and its effect on system operations, as facilitated by starting devices, etc. The
transient stability calculation can also simulate the motor starting process, with emphasis on the dynamic behavior of the whole system under the impact of motor starting. The
differences in objectives of the two types of calculation lead to different modeling of system elements, as shown in the table below.
Comparison of System Element Models

Dynamic Static
Element Load Flow Transient Stability M otor Acceleration M otor Starting
Generators Infinite Bus Dynamically Modeled Constant Voltage Behind Constant Voltage Behind
Xd’ Xd’

Exciter/Governors Not Applicable Dynamically Modeled Not Modeled Not Modeled

Utility Ties Infinite Bus Constant Voltage Behind Constant Voltage Behind Constant Voltage Behind
X” X” X”

Operating Motors Constant kVA Modeled Dynamically or Constant kVA Constant kVA
Constant kVA

Starting Motors Not Applicable Single1, Single2, DBL1, & Single1, Single2, DBL1, Locked-Rotor Z and Power
DBL2 Models DBL2, & TSC Models Factor

Starters Not Applicable Modeled Modeled Modeled

Other Features of M otor Starting Study

Many features are included in the motor starting study to facilitate system design and analysis, including the following:

 A static load can be switched on and off repeatedly at any time during a simulation with user specified loading category.

 A motor can be started and switched off repeatedly at any time during a simulation.

 The motor switching can be specified by an individual load or by bus and starting category.

 In static motor starting, after the acceleration period is passed, it will be modeled as a constant power load. The load level can vary at a rate specified by the user. Please see
M otor Starting Category page for a detailed description on the model for load changes.

 An MOV can be started at any time during the simulation.

M odeling of SVC
In the initial load flow calculation, an SVC is modeled the same way as in a standard Load Flow calculation. It will adjust terminal bus voltage as specified in the SVC editor and
provide or absorb reactive power as needed. However, after the initial load flow, it will be represented as a constant impedance load with the value set based on the initial load flow.

I nduction M otor with % Loading Equal to Zero

Since the induction motor editor has been enhanced to allow to specify the motor input current at zero loading, in load flow calculations, a motor with %loading equal to zero may
still draw power from the system due the losses in the motor. This means that in load flow calculation a motor with zero loading indicates that the motor has no output power, but the
motor is still running.

In motor acceleration calculations, the meaning of loading being zero is different from load flow calculation. If a motor has zero loading, it means that the motor is not connected
and it draws zero current and power from the system, even if the no-load current entered in the motor editor is larger than zero. This applies to operating induction motors in both
initial load flow and load transition.

Note that if an operating motor has loading equal to 0.01%, its input power will be calculated based on the parameters from the Nameplate page of the Induction Motor Editor. So
there may be a jump in input power for operating motors in motor acceleration when the load is changed from 0.01% to 0%.

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M odeling of I nduction Generator

There is an option in the Info page of the Induction Machine editor to set the Application Type as Motor or Generator. If an induction machine is set as Induction Generator, its
modeling can be different depending on whether the machine is started in a Motor Stating simulation. For all operating induction generators, the ones that are not started in a
simulation, they are modeled the same way as in Load Flow calculation. The induction generator provides real power to the system and draws reactive power from the system. This
rule applies to initial load flow as well as load transitions.

For induction generators that are started during a simulation, either through action by element, action by starting category, or action by load transition, it is modeled differently
before and after the induction generator is started. In the initial load flow and during load transitions before the machine is started, it is modeled as in induction generator in the same
way as in the Load Flow calculations. Once the machine is started, it will be modeled as an induction motor from that point on in the simulation. When modeled as an induction
motor, its rated kVA will be the same value as displayed in the editor, but its output horsepower (or kW) will be recalculated based on the machine rated kVA, efficiency and power
factor.

M odeling of VFD
VFD Connections
ETAP allows for very flexible connections for a VFD. Its input can connect to a bus, a branch, or multiple transformers. Its output can be connected to a bus or a load (motor or a
lump load). The following figure shows some typical connections of VFD in ETAP. From the view point of calculation handling, there are two types of VFD connections: VFD sub-
network and load directly connected VFD. A load directly connected VFD is shown as VFD-1 below where a load (a motor or a lump load) is connected to a bus through a VFD. A
VFD sub-network is a sub-system connected to the output of a VFD, consisting of buses, loads and branches, as shown in VFD-2, VFD-3 and VFD-4 below. In the current version
of ETAP, it is required that a VFD sub-network be a radial system, contain only one energized motor, and not include 3-winding transformers or source elements.

In Motor Acceleration Analysis, the sub-network powered by a VFD, i.e. the sub-system below VFD-4, is aggregated along with motor equipment cable as one equivalent
impedance. ETAP does not report the voltages and flows on the buses and branches in the VFD sub-network. All adjustment options specified in the study case are still applicable to
these elements. The fixes or manual operating taps of transformers in a VFD sub-network are considered in the calculation, but transformer LTC is excluded.

Typical VFD Connections

M odeling of VFD for Operating Loads

For an operating load (a motor or a lump load) powered by a VFD, either in the initial load flow or during load transition, the VFD is modeled the same way as the regular load flow
calculations. The VFD is represented as a constant voltage source with the output voltage and frequency determined by the V/Hz and operating frequency of the applicable
generation category. On the input side, the VFD is modeled as a constant power load with the input power equal to the output real power divided by its efficiency. The input reactive

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power is dependent on the operating input PF option selected from the Loading page of the VFD editor. When there are multiple input transformer connections, the input power is
equally shared among all connections.

Note that for a load that is directly connected to a VFD,( i.e. VFD-1 shown above) the equipment cable loss is calculated based on the VFD operating voltage. For a VFD sub-
network, i.e. VFD-4 shown above, the losses associated with the sub0network is calculated based on the aggregated equivalent impedance.

M odeling of VFD for Starting M otors

For a starting motor powered by a VFD, the VFD output voltage and frequency follow the control scheme specified in the Start Device page if the Frequency Control type is
selected. If the option “None” is selected, the modeling of VFD will be different depending on if the motor is directly connected to the VFD or there is a bus in between (case for
VFD sub-network). Additionally, the starting motor may have its own starting device entered in the motor editor and this motor starting device may take effect in some cases. The
specific rules for handling all these cases are listed the section below.

Basic Rules for Starting M otors with VFD

a. If a starting motor is directly connected to a VFD (i.e. Mtr1 below) and the VFD Starting Device type is set as None, the VFD is ignored in motor acceleration. This is similar
to the bypass switch being closed. The motor starting device takes effect if it is specified.

b. If a starting motor is directly connected to a VFD (i.e. Mtr5 below), but the VFD Starting Device type is set as Frequency Control, the VFD will be modeled according to the
specified Control Scheme. The starting device of the motor is ignored.

c. If the VFD output is connected to a bus (i.e. VFD3 below), the VFD will be modeled according to the specified Control Scheme. The starting device of the motor is ignored.

d. If the bypass switch of a VFD is closed, the VFD is simulated as a closed switch. The motor starting device takes effect if it is specified.

VFD and M otor M odeling for Starting M otors

VFD & M otor Starting Device
# Cases M otor Starting Controlled by
Connection VFD M otor
1 VFD1 & Mtr 1 Direct Connection None Yes Motor starting device
2 VFD2 & Mtr 2 Direct Connection None None Start as across line
Bus in Between VFD starting device, output maintained
3 VFD3 & Mtr 3 None Yes
at rated voltage and frequency
Bus in Between VFD starting device, output maintained
4 VFD4 & Mtr 4 None None
at rated voltage and frequency
Frequency
5 VFD5 & Mtr 5 Direct Connection Yes VFD starting Device
Control
Bus in Between Frequency
6 VFD6 & Mtr 6 Yes VFD starting Device
Control

If a VFD has the Frequency Control type selected for motor acceleration and the starting motor has the characteristic model selected, ETAP does not support Dynamic Motor
Starting simulation for the motor, since the characteristic model is only for rated frequency and it does not represent motor behavior under different frequency. For the same reason,
if a starting motor is powered by a VFD, it is not supported to start this motor in the Static Motor Starting simulations, except that the motor is directly connected to the VFD. This
exception is primarily for compatibility to the older versions of ETAP.

M otor Plots for VFD Controlled Starting M otors

Due to the variable frequency applied on a starting motor, several new types of plots are added to starting motors. The following table gives definitions for different plots. Note that
the rated frequency for a motor is the ETAP project frequency. If a VFD is connected to the starting motor through a sub-network, the sub-network is modeled as an equivalent
impedance for the motor. The table shows that when a starting motor is controlled by a VFD, plots for the motor line current and input power are actually the values at VFD input.

Plots for Starting M otors

Plot Type Definition
Slip Motor slip with respect to applied frequency. For a VFD controlled starting motor, this
plot does not indicate motor speed if the applied frequency is not the rated value.
Speed Motor speed in percent of the synchronous speed for motor rated frequency.
Current (Line) VFD input current in percent of motor FLA.
Current (Terminal) Motor terminal current in percent of motor FLA.
Vt (Motor Base) Motor terminal voltage in percent of motor rated kV.
Vt (Bus Base) Motor terminal voltage in percent of VFD input terminal bus nominal kV.
V bus VFD input terminal bus voltage in percent of bus nominal kV.
Accel. Torque Motor acceleration torque in percent of motor rated torque.
Motor Torque Motor acceleration torque in percent of motor rated torque.
Load Torque Load torque in percent of motor rated torque.
kW (Electrical) VFD input real power in kW.
Kvar VFD input reactive power in kvar.
kW (Mechanical) Motor output power in kW.
Frequency VFD output frequency applied on motor
Voltage/Hz Motor terminal Volt/Hz in percent on motor rated voltage and freuqnecy.

M otor Acceleration Analysis

Toolbars
Study Case Editor
Display Options
Calculation Methods
Required Data
Output Reports

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Alert View
Plots
One-Line Diagram Displayed Results

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