ELE 2117 Lesson 11

LESSON 11
THREE PHASE INDUCTION MOTORS

GENERAL INFORMATION
 This lesson contains general information
about starting and selection of three phase
induction motors
 An induction motor draws a very high current during
start-up as a result of magnetic saturation. The rapid
voltage change from one peak to another within one-
half of a cycle saturates excessively the iron core of
the stator and the rotor.
 The saturation induces a very low inductance, L, and

hence a low switching impedance (R being low
already). The inductance of the circuit L varies with
the level of saturation. Since e = - L (di/dt), a high e
and low L cause a very high starting current.
 This is seen to be of the order of six to seven times

the rated current and exists in the system until the
rotor picks up to almost its rated speed.
 NEMA,* in its publication MG-I for Induction
Motors, has prescribed four rotor designs, A, B,
C, and D, covering almost all sizes of low voltage
motors, to possess a prescribed minimum Tm,Tpo
and pull-up torques.
 These torques are generally as drawn in the

figure below to meet all normal industrial,
agricultural or domestic needs. (Refer to the said
publication or IEC 60034-12 for values of these
torques. IEC 60034-12 has also provided similar
stipulations.)
 Tdm = pull-out, breakdown or maximum torque,
obtainable over the entire speed range. In a good design
this should occur as close to the rated slip as possible to
ensure that the motor runs safely, even during momentary
overloads, load fluctuations exceeding the load torque, or
abrupt voltage fluctuations, without harmful slip (rotor
copper) losses.
 In some specially designed rotors, however, to achieve a

high starting torque sometimes the pull-out torque Tdm
may not be available on the speed-torque curve.
 It is possible that in such cases the Tds may be the highest

torque developed by the motor in the entire speed range
(Figure 2.2).
 A 230 V, 60 Hz, Δ connected three phase
induction motor operates at full load speed of
1710 rpm. The power developed at this
speed is 2 hp and the rotor current is 4.5 A.
If the supply fluctuates by ± 10%, determine
(a) the torque range (b) the current range
120 X 60
Ns   1800rpm
4
1800  1710
s  0.05
1800
2 x x 1710
m   179.07 rad / s
60
torque developed at rated voltage 230 V
Pd 2 x 746
   8.33 Nm
m 179.07
 When supply voltage is down by 10%, torque
developed by motor is
2
 0.9 x 230 
Td  8.33   6.75 Nm
 230 
 The corresponding rotor current is
I 2 L  0.9 x 4.5  4.05 A

 For 10 % increase in voltage
 Td=1.12 x 8.33 = 11.08 Nm
 I2=1.1 x 4.5 = 4.95 A

 The recommended practice would require
that at each point on the motor speed-torque
curve there should be a minimum 15-20%
surplus torque available over and above the
load torque, for a safe start. The torque thus
available is known as the accelerating torque.
 Unless otherwise specified, the rating of the
motor will be regarded as its continuous
maximum rating (CMR), defined by duty S.
 But a machine is not always required to operate

at a constant load.
 Sometimes it must operate at varying loads, with

a sequence of identical operations, involving
starts, stops braking, speed control and
reversals, with intermittent idle running and de-
energized periods etc. (e.g. a hoist, a crane, a lift
or other applications.)
 Using a CMR motor for such applications,
with a rating corresponding to the maximum
short-time loading will mean an idle capacity
during no load running or de-energized
periods and a constant drain on energy in
addition to a higher cost of installation. To
economize on the size of machine for such
applications, IEC 60034-1 has defined a few
duty cycles, as noted briefly below.
 These may be considered while selecting an
economical size of machine and yet meet the
variable load demands safely. Such motors
may be running overloaded during actual
loading but for shorter durations not
sufficient to exceed the permissible
temperature rise limits. They dissipate
excessive heat during idle running or de-
energized periods to reach a thermal
equilibrium at the end of the load cycle.
 When R2/s >>X2
V1 s
 rotor current I2 
R2
 Rotor current varies linearly with slip when

motor operates at low slip
 Rotor current varies inversely with rotor

resistance
 Since effective rotor resistance is small at
starting, starting current can be 400% to
800% time rated current
 Starting torque may only be 200% to 350%

full load torque
 High starting current results in large voltage

drop which may affect other motors on the
busbar
 Reduce line voltage at starting
 Star/Delta Starting
 Reduces starting current and starting torque
 - only for delta connected motors
 - three contactors
 - overload relay
 - timer for setting time in the star position
 Starting current about 30% of direct starting
current
 Starting torque about 25% of DOL starting

torque
 For fans and motors, load torque low at

beginning and increases with square of speed
 At approx. 80 -85% of motor rated speed load torque
equals motor torque and acceleration ceases
 To reach rated speed switch over to delta supply is

necessary – this results in high transmission and
current peaks
 Current peak at switching over can be larger than

DOL starting
 Applications with load torque higher than 50% of

rated motor torque will not start with star/delta
starting
Effect of switching from star to delta
 Variable Speed Drive
 Converts AC (50 Hz or 60 Hz) to DC and DC

back to AC but now with variable frequency
of 0 – 250 Hz.
 Control of frequency controls speed and this

gives speed regulation during continuous run
 Sometimes only used for stopping and

starting motor
 Rated torque available at low speed and
starting current low between 0.5 to 1.0 times
rated motor current. (max. 1.5 times)
 Softstop is used to negate effects of direct

stops e.g. (a) stop pumps where problem is
water hammering in pipe system at direct
stops (b) conveyor belts that transport fragile
material that can be damaged when motor
stops too quickly
 Filter installed to reduce levels of emission
and harmonics generated
 Different characteristics from other starting
methods
 Thyristors in main circuit and motor voltage

regulated with printed circuit board
 Makes use of fact that when voltage is low,

starting current and starting torque is also
low
 Adjust torque to exact requirement whether
application is loaded or not
 In principle full starting torque is available

but soft starting results in less stress on
machinery and therefore lower maintenance
costs
 Only for Wound Rotor
 Resistance included in the rotor circuit during

starting up of motor and shorted out after
motor is up to speed
 National Electrical Manufacturers Association
(NEMA) has categorised squirrel cage
induction motors into six different classes by
assigning designations A through F
 Each designation is intended to satisfy the

requirements of a certain application
 This lesson concentrates on Class A thru D

Class D
High R2
Class A
Low R2
Class C
Class B Rotor fabricated
Rotor has deep bars with two separate
to exploit skin effect cages
Resistance higher at s Only outer high
starting due to skin resistance cage utilised
effect at starting

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LESSON 11

THREE PHASE INDUCTION MOTORS

 The saturation induces a very low inductance, L, and

 This is seen to be of the order of six to seven times

 These torques are generally as drawn in the

 In some specially designed rotors, however, to achieve a

 It is possible that in such cases the Tds may be the highest

torque developed at rated voltage 230 V

 The corresponding rotor current is

I 2 L  0.9 x 4.5  4.05 A

 Td=1.12 x 8.33 = 11.08 Nm

 I2=1.1 x 4.5 = 4.95 A

 But a machine is not always required to operate

 Sometimes it must operate at varying loads, with

 Rotor current varies linearly with slip when

 Rotor current varies inversely with rotor

 Starting torque may only be 200% to 350%

 High starting current results in large voltage

 Starting torque about 25% of DOL starting

 For fans and motors, load torque low at

 To reach rated speed switch over to delta supply is

 Current peak at switching over can be larger than

 Applications with load torque higher than 50% of

 Converts AC (50 Hz or 60 Hz) to DC and DC

 Control of frequency controls speed and this

 Sometimes only used for stopping and

 Softstop is used to negate effects of direct

 Thyristors in main circuit and motor voltage

 Makes use of fact that when voltage is low,

 In principle full starting torque is available

 Resistance included in the rotor circuit during

 Each designation is intended to satisfy the

 This lesson concentrates on Class A thru D

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