Electrical Machines [Contd…]

Single Phase Induction Motor:

The most common type of electric motor is the single phase type, which finds wide domestic,
commercial and industrial applications. There are two basic reasons for the use of single phase
rather than 3-phase motor. First, for reasons of economy, most houses, offices and also rural
areas are supplied with single phase AC, as power requirements of individual load items are
rather small. The second factor is the economics of the motor and its branch circuit. Fixed loads
requiring not more than 0.5 kW can generally be served most economically with single phase
power and single phase motor. These motors
are simple in construction, reliable, easy to repair and comparatively cheaper in cost, and
therefore, find wide use in fans, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, other
kitchen equipments, blowers, centrifugal pumps, etc.

Construction of 1-phase Induction Motor:

Constructionally, a 1-ϕ induction motor is more or less similar to that of a 3-ϕ induction
motor except that its stator is provided with a single phase winding and a starting
mechanism like centrifugal switch or relay etc.

Rotor Construction:

The rotor construction is identical to that of a 3-ϕ squirrel cage induction motor. It
consists of a laminated core with skewed slots on periphery. The conductors and end
rings are formed by forcing the molten material (copper or aluminum) into the slots. In
fact, the rotor of any 1-ϕ induction motor is inter-changeable with that of a poly phase
induction motor.

Stator Construction:

Its core construction is similar to the stator core of 3-phase induction motor. The stator
slots are distributed uniformly and usually 1-phase double layer winding is employed. A
simple phase single winding would produce no rotating magnetic field and no starting
torque. It is, therefore, necessary to modify or split the stator winding into two parts, such
as running or main winding and starting or auxiliary winding, each displaced in space by
90° on the stator to make the motor self-starting. Figure (below) shows the construction
of a single phase induction motor.

Single phase induction motors are classified into split phase type, capacitor type and
shaded pole type depending upon the starting device employed.
Operating Principle of 1- phase Induction Motor:

Constructionally, this motor is similar to poly-phase induction motor except that (i) its
stator is provided with a single phase winding (ii) a centrifugal switch is used in some
types of motors, in order to cut out a winding only used for starting purpose.

A single-phase induction motor consists of a single phase winding mounted on the stator
and a squirrel cage winding on the rotor as shown in figure (below). The rotor bars are
short circuited by end rings. When the stator is energized with the single phase supply, it
produces an alternating flux and this flux cuts the rotor conductors. During the positive
half cycle, the flux induces a voltage in the rotor and the resulting current produces a
torque. The rotor tends to rotate in one direction. During the negative half cycle, the
torque produced tends to rotate the rotor in opposite direction. Thus, the rotor is subjected
to these rapid flux reversals and due to its inertia it cannot move. This type of torque is
known as pulsating torque. That is why the single-phase induction motor is not self
starting.

Two theories have been suggested to analyze the performance of a single phase induction
motor, namely, the double-revolving field theory and cross-field theory. Both the theories
are fairly complicated, and neither has any advantage over the other in numerical
calculation. Almost similar results are obtained with both the theories. These two theories
explain why a torque is produced in the rotor once it is turning.

Double Field Revolving Theory:

The double field revolving theory of a single phase induction motor basically states that a
Stationary pulsating magnetic field can be resolved into two rotating magnetic fields,
each of equal magnitude but rotating in opposite directions. The induction motor
responds to each magnetic field separately, and the net torque in the motor is equal to the
sum of the torques due to each of the two magnetic fields.

This theory makes use of the idea that any alternating uni-axial quantity can be
represented by two oppositely rotating vectors of half magnitude.
Operating Principle of an Alternator:

The working principle of alternator is very simple. It is just like the basic principle ofa
DC generator. It also depends upon Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction which
says the current is induced in the conductor inside a magnetic field when there is a
relative motion between that conductor and the magnetic field.

When the rotor rotates, the armature conductors are cut by the magnetic flux, hence emf
is induced in them. The magnetic poles are alternatively N and S so, they induce an emf
and hence current in the armature conductors, which first flow in one direction and then
in the other direction. Hence, an alternating emf is produced in the armature conductor,
whose frequency depends on the number of N and S poles moving past in a conductor in
one second. The direction of induced emf is given by Fleming's right hand rule.

Construction of a Synchronous Machine:

The two main parts of a synchronous machine are stator and rotor. The stator is the
stationary part of the machine, and it carries the armature winding, in which the voltage is
generated. The output of the machine is taken from the stator. The rotor is the rotating
part of the machine; it produces the main field flux.
Construction of Stator:

Stator is a hollow cylindrical structure forming the outer cover of a synchronous machine
as shown in figure (above). It is made up or materials ith high permeability and low
hysteresis loss. For low ratings, iron or cast steel is used and for high ratings, silicon steel
is used.
The various parts of the stator are the stator frame, stator core, stator windings and
cooling arrangement. The stator core is built up of thin laminations (about 0.5mm
thickness), which are insulated from each other in order to reduce the eddy current losses.
The stator core has slots on its periphery for housing the armature conductors. Frame
does not carry any flux and serves as the support to the core.

The stator frame with core and stator winding is the heaviest component of the entire
alternator. The frame must be rigid i.e., of good mechanical strength in order to withstand
the forces and torques arising during operation. The stator core is provided with air
passages and ventilating air ducts for cooling purpose. A 3-phase winding is put in the
slot cut on the inner periphery of the stator as shown in figure (above). The winding is
star connected. The winding of each phase is distributed over several slots. When current
flows in a distributed winding, it produces a sinusoidal space distribution of emf. Mostly
semi-closed slots are preferred.

Construction of Rotor:

Depending upon the construction, there are two types of rotors. They are -

(a) Salient pole type or projected pole type rotor

(b) Non-salient pole type or smooth cylindrical type rotor
Salient Pole Type Rotor:

The term salient means projecting. Thus a salient pole rotor consists of poles projecting
out from the surface of the rotor core as shown in figure (below). Salient pole rotors are
normally used for rotors with 4 or more poles. Since the rotor is subjected to changing
magnetic field, it is made up of thin steel laminations to reduce eddy current losses. The
concentrated field winding provided on the pole shoe. The pole faces are usually
provided with slots for damper winding.

The damper bars are short circuited at both the ends by copper rings. These dampers are
used in preventing hunting in alternators and to provide starting torque in synchronous
motors.

Due to salient poles and concentrated winding, the rotor is not mechanically balanced and
so they cannot withstand the centrifugal forces developed at higher speeds. Hence, its
speed is limited to 50-1000 rpm. Constructionally, these rotors have large diameter and
small axial length. The large diameter accommodates a large number of poles. The prime
movers used to drive such rotor are generally water turbines and IC engines.

Smooth Cylindrical Type Rotor:

A cylindrical rotor machine is also called a non-salient pole rotor machine. It has its
rotor, so constructed that it forms a smooth cylinder. The construction is such that there
are no physical poles to be seen as in the salient pole construction. Figure (below) shows
the structure of a cylindrical type rotor. According to design, two-third of the rotor
periphery is slotted to accommodate the field winding and one-third of it is left for the
formation of poles. The field winding used is of distributed type. As the air gap is
uniform, the flux distribution is almost sinusoidal.

The rotor body is made up of solid steel alloy with Nickel, Chromium and Molybdenum
to increase its mechanical strength. Constructionally, these rotors have smaller diameter
and larger axial length. Their operating speed ranges from 1500-3000 rpm. No damper
windings are provided in thesreo tors, as the solid body itself suppresses hunting. The
prime movers used to drive such type of rotors are generally steam turbines, electric
motors, etc.

Difference between Salient pole and Cylindrical type Rotor: