SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR

Characteristics:
1. It runs either at synchronous speed or not at all i.e. while running it maintains a constant
speed.
2. It is not inherently self-starting. It has to be run up to synchronous ( or near synchronous)
speed by some means, before it can be synchronized to the supply.
3. Receives its excitation from two sources of supply: (a) the a-c source through its stator
winding and (b) a d-c source through its rotor field.

4. It is capable of being operated under a wide range of power factors, both lagging and
leading by changes in the d-c excitation. Hence, it can be used for power factor correction
purposes, in addition to supplying torque to drive loads. When the motor power factor is
unity, the d-c excitation is said to be normal, over-excitation causes the motor to operate at
a leading power factor, while under-excitation produces lagging power factor operation.

Construction:
Stator: identical with an alternator.

Rotor: Salient Poles (Projecting Poles)

Principle of Operation:

Figure 1 Figure 2a Figure 2b

When a 3-Ø winding is fed by a 3-Ø supply, then a magnetic flux of constant magnitude but
rotating at synchronous speed, is produced. Consider a two-pole stator of figure 1, in which are
shown two stator poles (marked N s and Ss) rotating at synchronous speed, say, in clockwise
direction. With the rotor position as shown, suppose the stator poles are at that instant situated at
points A and B. The two similar poles, N (of rotor) and N s (of stator) as well as S and Ss will repel each
other, with the result that the rotor tends to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction.
But half a period later, stator poles, having rotated around, interchange their position i.e. N s
is at point B and Ss at point A. Under these conditions, N s attracts S and Ss attracts N. Hence, rotor
tends to rotate clockwise (which is just the reverse of the first direction). Hence, we find that due to
continuous and rapid rotation of stator poles, the rotor is subjected to a torque which is rapidly
reversing i.e., in quick succession, the rotor is subjected to torque which tends to move it first in one
direction and then in the opposite direction. Owing to its large inertia, the rotor cannot
instantaneously respond to such quickly-reversing torque, with the result that it remains stationary.
Now, consider the condition shown in Figure 2a. The stator and rotor poles are attracting
each other. Suppose that the rotor is not stationary, but is rotating clockwise, with such a speed that
it turns through one pole-pitch by the time the stator poles interchange their positions, as shown in
Figure 2b. Here, again the stator and rotor poles attract each other. It means that if the rotor poles
also shift their positions along with the stator poles, then they will continuously experience a
unidirectional torque i.e., clockwise torque, as shown in Figures 2.

Method of Starting
The rotor (which is as yet unexcited) is speeded up to synchronous/near synchronous speed
by some arrangement and then excited by the d.c. source. The moment this (near) synchronously
rotating rotor is excited, it is magnetically locked into position with the stator i.e., the rotor poles are
engaged with the stator poles and both run synchronously in the same direction. It is because of this
interlocking of stator and rotor poles that the motor has either to run synchronously or not at all.
The synchronous speed is given by the usual relation NS = 120 f / P.
However, it is important to understand that the arrangement between the stator and rotor
poles is not an absolutely rigid one. As the load on the motor is increased, the rotor progressively
tends to fall back in phase (but not in speed as in d.c. motors) by some angle (Figure 3) but it still
continues to run synchronously. The value of this load angle or coupling angle (as it is called)
depends on the amount of load to be met by the motor. In other words, the torque developed by
the motor depends on this angle, say, .

Figure 3

Motor on Load with Constant Excitation

Before considering as to what goes on inside a synchronous motor, it is worthwhile to refer

briefly to the d.c. motors. We have seen that when a d.c. motor is running on a supply of, say, V volts
then, on rotating, a back e.m.f. Eb is set up in its armature conductors. The resultant voltage across
the armature is (V – Eb) and it causes an armature current Ia = (V – Eb)/ Ra to flow where Ra is
armature circuit resistance. The value of Eb depends, among other factors, on the speed of the
rotating armature. The mechanical power developed in armature depends on Eb Ia (Eb and Ia being in
opposition to each other).
Similarly, in a synchronous machine, a back e.m.f. Eb is set up in the armature (stator) by the
rotor flux which opposes the applied voltage V. This back e.m.f. depends on rotor excitation only
(and not on speed, as in d.c. motors). The net voltage in armature (stator) is the vector difference
(not arithmetical, as in d.c. motors) of V and Eb. Armature current is obtained by dividing this vector
difference of voltages by armature impedance (not resistance as in d.c. machines).

Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6

 Figure 4 shows the condition when the motor (properly synchronized to the supply) is
running on no-load and has no losses and is having field excitation which makes Eb = V. It is seen that
vector difference of Eb and V is zero and so is the armature current. Motor intake is zero, as there is
neither load nor losses to be met by it. In other words, the motor just floats. If motor is on no-load,
but it has losses, then the vector for Eb falls back (vectors are rotating anti-clockwise) by a certain
small angle α (Figure 5), so that a resultant voltage ER and hence current Ia is brought into existence,
which supplies losses. If, now, the motor is loaded, then its rotor will further fall back in phase by a
greater value of angle α − called the load angle or coupling angle (corresponding to the twist in the
shaft of the pulleys). The resultant voltage ER is increased and motor draws an increased armature
current (Figure 6), though at a slightly decreased power factor.

Power Flow within a Synchronous Motor

Let : R a=armature resistance / phase

X s=synchronous reactance/ phase
Z s=R a+ jX s

E R V −Eb
I a= = ,V =E b+ I a Z s
Zs Zs

Ɵ=Internal angle(anglebetween I a∧E R)

Xs
tanƟ=
Ra
If Ra is negligible, then Ɵ=90
V= Applied voltage/phase

Motor Input = V Ia cos Ø ------ per phase

Total Motor Input, P = √ 3 V L I L cos Ø
Pm= Mechanical power developed in the rotor
Pm = back emf X armature current X cosine of the angle between the two i.e. angle between
Ia and and Eb reversed
= Eb Ia cos (-Ø) ---------per phase
P= Pm + Ia2Ra

Different power stages in a synchronous motor :

Equivalent Circuit of a Synchronous Motor

Power Developed by a Synchronous Motor

Ra= negligible

AB=Eb sin =Ia cos Ø

Eb V
V Ia cosØ = sin❑
Xs
Eb V
Pin= sin❑ ------- per phase
Xs
Since stator copper losses have been neglected, P in also represents the gross mechanical power (P m)
developed by the motor:

Eb V
Pm= sin❑ ------- per phase
Xs
The gross torque developed by the motor is:

60 P m
Tg= x , N −m
2 π Ns

Problem:
1. A 75-kW, 3-φ, Y-connected, 50-Hz, 440-V cylindrical rotor synchronous motor operates at
rated condition with 0.8 p.f. leading. The motor efficiency excluding field and stator losses, is
95% and XS = 2.5 Ω. Calculate (a) mechanical power developed (b) armature current (c) back
e.m.f. (d) power angle and (e) maximum or pull-out torque of the motor.
Synchronous Motor with Different Excitations

A synchronous motor is said to have normal excitation when its Eb = V. If field excitation is
such that Eb < V, the motor is said to be under-excited. In both these conditions, it has a lagging
power factor. On the other hand, if d.c. field excitation is such that Eb > V,

then motor is said to be over-excited and draws a leading current, as shown in Figure below. There

will be some value of excitation for which armature current will be in phase with V, so that power
factor will become unity, as shown in Figure below.

The value of  and back e.m.f. Eb can be found with the help of vector diagrams for various
power factors, shown in Figures below

Effect of Increased Load with Constant Excitation

Effect of increased load on a synchronous motor under conditions of normal, under and
over-excitation (ignoring the effects of armature reaction). With normal excitation, Eb = V, with
under excitation, Eb < V and with over-excitation, Eb > V. Whatever the value of excitation, it would
be kept constant for different loadings. It would also be assumed that Ra is negligible as compared to
Xs so that phase angle between ER and Ia i.e., θ = 90º.
1. Normal Excitation
Figure below shows the condition when motor is running with light load so that (a) torque angle is small
(b) so ER1 is small (iii) hence Ia1 is small and (iv) Ø is small so that cos Ø is large. Now, suppose that load on the
motor is increased as shown in Figure below. For meeting this extra load, motor must develop more torque by
drawing more armature current. Unlike a d.c. motor, a synchronous motor cannot increase its Ia by decreasing its
speed and hence Eb because both are constant in its case. What actually happens is as under :

1. rotor falls back in phase i.e., load angle increases to α2,

2. the resultant voltage in armature is increased considerably to new value ER2,
3. as a result, Ia1 increases to Ia2, thereby increasing the torque developed by the motor,
4. φ1 increases to φ2, so that power factor decreases from cos φ1 to the new value cos φ2.

Since increase in Ia is much greater than the slight decrease in power factor, the torque
developed by the motor is increased (on the whole) to a new value sufficient to meet the extra load
put on the motor. It will be seen that essentially it is by increasing its Ia that the motor is able to carry
the extra load put on it.

2. Under-excitation
As shown in Figure below, with a small load and hence, small torque angle α1, Ia1 lags behind
V by a large phase angle φ1 which means poor power factor. Unlike normal excitation, a much
larger armature current must flow for developing the same power because of poor power factor.
As load increases, ER1 increases to ER2, consequently Ia1 increases to Ia2 and p.f. angle decreases
from φ1 to φ2 or p.f. increases from cos φ1 to cos φ2. Due to increase both in Ia and p.f., power
generated by the armature increases to meet the increased load. As seen, in this case, change in
power factor is more than the change in Ia.
 3. Over-excitation

When running on light load, α1 is small but Ia1 is comparatively larger and leads V by a larger
angle φ1. Like the under-excited motor, as more load is applied, the power factor improves and
approaches unity. The armature current also increases thereby producing the necessary increased
armature power to meet the increased applied load (Figure below). However, it should be noted
that in this case, power factor angle φ decreases (or p.f. increases) at a faster rate than the armature
current thereby producing the necessary increased power to meet the increased load applied to the
motor.

Summary

The main points regarding the above three cases can be summarized as under :
1. As load on the motor increases, Ia increases regardless of excitation.
2. For under-and over-excited motors, p.f. tends to approach unity with increase in load.
3. Both with under-and over-excitation, change in p.f. is greater than in Ia with increase in load.
4. With normal excitation, when load is increased change in Ia is greater than in p.f. which
tends to become increasingly lagging.

Problems
1. A 20-pole, 693-V, 50-Hz, 3-φ, Δ-connected synchronous motor is operating at no-load with
normal excitation. It has armature ressistance per phase of zero and synchronous reactance of 10
Ω. If rotor is retarded by 0.5º (mechanical) from its synchronous position, compute. (a) rotor
displacement in electrical degrees (b) armature emf / phase (c) armature current / phase (d)
power drawn by the motor (e) power developed by armature How will these quantities change
when motor is loaded and the rotor displacement increases to 5º (mechanical) ?

Effect of Changing Excitation on Constant Load

Suppose a synchronous motor is operating with normal excitation (Eb = V) at unity p.f. with a
given load. If Ra is negligible as compared to Xs, then Ia lags ER by 90º and is in phase with V because
p.f. is unity. The armature is drawing a power of V.Ia per phase which is enough to meet the
mechanical load on the motor. Now, let us discuss the effect of decreasing or increasing the field
excitation when the load applied to the motor remains constant.
1. Excitation Decreased
As shown in Figure b, suppose due to decrease in excitation, back e.m.f. is reduced to Eb1 at
the same load angle α1. The resultant voltage ER1 causes a lagging armature current Ia1 to flow. Even
though Ia1 is larger than Ia in magnitude it is incapable of producing necessary power VIa for carrying
the constant load because Ia1 cos φ1 component is less than Ia so that VIa1 cos φ1 < VIa. Hence, it
becomes necessary for load angle to increase from α1 to α2. It increases back e.m.f. from Eb1 to Eb2
which, in turn, increases resultant voltage from ER1 to ER2. Consequently, armature current increases
to Ia2 whose in-phase component produces enough power (VIa2 cos φ2) to meet the constant load on
the motor.

2. Excitation Increased
The effect of increasing field excitation is shown in Figure c where increased Eb1 is shown at
the original load angle α1. The resultant voltage ER1 causes a leading current Ia1 whose in-phase
component is larger than Ia. Hence, armature develops more power than the load on the motor.
Accordingly, load angle decreases from α1 to α2 which decreases resultant voltage from ER1 to ER2.
Consequently, armature current decreases from Ia1 to Ia2 whose in-phase component Ia2 cos φ2 = Ia. In
that case, armature develops power sufficient to carry the constant load on the motor.
Hence, we find that variations in the excitation of a synchronous motor running with a given
load produce variations in its load angle only.

Different Torques of a Synchronous Motor

Various torques associated with a synchronous motor are as follows:

1. starting torque
2. running torque
3. pull-in torque and
4. pull-out torque

1. Starting Torque
It is the torque (or turning effort) developed by the motor when full voltage is applied to its
stator (armature) winding. It is also sometimes called breakaway torque. Its value may be as low as
10% as in the case of centrifugal pumps and as high as 200 to 250% of full-load torque as in the case
of loaded reciprocating two-cylinder compressors.

2. Running Torque
As its name indicates, it is the torque developed by the motor under running conditions. It is
determined by the horse-power and speed of the driven machine. The peak horsepower determines
the maximum torque that would be required by the driven machine. The motor must have a
breakdown or a maximum running torque greater than this value in order to avoid stalling.

3. Pull-in Torque
 A synchronous motor is started as induction motor till it runs 2 to 5% below the synchronous
speed. Afterwards, excitation is switched on and the rotor pulls into step with the synchronously
rotating stator field. The amount of torque at which the motor will pull into step is called the pull-in
torque.

4. Pull-out Torque
The maximum torque which the motor can develop without pulling out of step or
synchronism is called the pull-out torque.

Normally, when load on the motor is increased, its rotor progressively tends to fall back in
phase by some angle (called load angle) behind the synchronously-revolving stator magnetic field
though it keeps running synchronously. Motor develops maximum torque when its rotor is retarded
by an angle of 90º (or in other words, it has shifted backward by a distance equal to half the distance
between adjacent poles). Any further increase in load will cause the motor to pull out of step (or
synchronism) and stop.

Power Developed by a Synchronous Motor

In the Figure, OA represents the supply voltage per phase i.e., V and AB (= OC) is the induced or back
e.m.f. per phase i.e., Eb at an angle α with OA. The armature current I (or Ia) lags V by φ.

Mechanical power developed is,

= Eb I cos ∠ DOI
Pm = Eb . I × cosine of the angle between Eb and I

= Eb I cos (π − ∠ COI)
= − Eb I cos (θ + γ)
ER
= − Eb( ¿ (cos θ cos γ − sin θ sin γ )
Zs

∴ sin γ = V sin α / ER
∴ cos γ = (Eb − V cos α)/ER
From ΔOAB ; V/sin γ = ER / sin α
From Δ OBC ; ER cos γ + V cos α = Eb
cos θ = Ra / Zs
sin θ = Xs / Zs

Eb ER R a Eb−V cos ❑ X s V sin ❑

Pm = - ( . - . ¿
Zs Zs ER Zs ER

2
Eb V Eb R a
Pm = 2 (Ra cos  + Xs sin ) - 2
Zs Zs
 Ra = Zs cos Ɵ
Xs = Zs sin Ɵ
Eb V
Pm = cos ¿ ¿
Zs

Condition for maximum power developed:

d Pm Eb V
=0=- sin ¿ ¿
d❑ Zs

Sin(Ɵ-) = 0
Ɵ=
If Ɵ = 900
Eb V
Pm (max) = cos ¿ ¿
Xs

Problems:
1. A 2,300-V, 3-phase, star-connected synchronous motor has a resistance of 0.2 ohm per
phase and a synchronous reactance of 2.2 ohm per phase. The motor is operating at 0.5
power factor leading with a line current of 200 A. Determine the value of the generated
e.m.f. per phase.

2. A 3-phase, 6,600-volts, 50-Hz, star-connected synchronous motor takes 50 A current. The

resistance and synchronous reactance per phase are 1 ohm and 20 ohms respectively. Find
the power supplied to the motor and induced emf for a power factor of (a) 0.8 lagging and
(b) 0.8 leading.
 3. A 1,000-kVA, 11,000-V, 3-φ, star-connected synchronous motor has an armature resistance
and reactance per phase of 3.5 Ω and 40 Ω respectively. Determine the induced e.m.f. and
angular retardation of the rotor when fully loaded at (a) unity p.f. (b) 0.8 p.f. lagging (c) 0.8
p.f. leading.
4. A 1-φ alternator has armature impedance of (0.5 + j0.866). When running as a synchronous
motor on 200-V supply, it provides a net output of 6 kW. The iron and friction losses amount
to 500 W. If current drawn by the motor is 50 A, find the two possible phase angles of
current and two possible induced e.m.fs.
5. A 2200-V, 3-φ, Y-connected, 50-Hz, 8-pole synchronous motor has ZS = (0.4 + j 6) ohm/phase.
When the motor runs at no-load, the field excitation is adjusted so that Eb is made equal to V.
When the motor is loaded, the rotor is retarded by 3º mechanical. Draw the phasor diagram
and calculate the armature current, power factor and power of the motor. What is the
maximum power the motor can supply without falling out of step?
6. A 1−φ, synchronous motor has a back e.m.f. of 250 V, leading by 150 electrical degrees over
the applied voltage of 200 volts. The synchronous reactance of the armature is 2.5 times its
resistance. Find the power factor at which the motor is operating and state whether the
current drawn by the motor is leading or lagging.
7. A 6600-V, star-connected, 3-phase synchronous motor works at constant voltage and constant
excitation. Its synchronous reactance is 20 ohms per phase and armature resistance negligible
when the input power is 1000 kW, the power factor is 0.8 leading. Find the power angle and
the power factor when the input is increased to 1500 kW.
8. A 400-V, P=6, 3-phase, 50-Hz, Y-connected synchronous motor has a resistance and
synchronous impedance of 0.5 Ω and 4 Ω per phase respectively. It takes a current of 15 A at
unity power factor when operating with a certain field current. If the load torque is increased
until the line current is increased to 60 A, the field current remaining unchanged, calculate the
gross torque developed and the new power factor.
9. A 3-φ, 3300-V, Y-connected synchronous motor has an effective resistance and synchronous
reactance of 2.0 Ω and 18.0 Ω per phase respectively. If the open-circuit generated e.m.f. is
3800 V between lines, calculate (i) the maximum total mechanical power that the motor can
develop and (ii) the current and p.f. at the maximum mechanical power.
10. A synchronous motor absorbing 60 kW is connected in parallel with a factory load of 240 kW
having a lagging p.f. of 0.8. If the combined load has a p.f. of 0.9, what is the value of the
leading kVAR supplied by the motor and at what p.f. is it working ?