Qatar University

Department of Electrical Engineering

ELEC 313 Electric Machines Lab

Experiment 8: Load Characteristics of a Three Phase Induction Motor

1. Introduction
The objective of the experiment is to observe the response of a three phase induction motor with
increasing load in terms of speed, efficiency, power factor and current.

2. Theory
The load test is commonly used to study the behavior of an induction motor under load. When the
induction motor runs under no-load, the slip is small and hence it draws very small current. As the
mechanical load on the motor increased, the speed drops due to its retarding effect and the current
and power factor increases.

The effect of load on different quantities is shown in the figure below. The induction motor is
loaded electrically with a coupled dc generator.

Output power of dc generator,

Po / p( gen )=V dc I dc

Input power to the dc generator,

Po / p( gen )
Pi/ p( gen )=
η( gen) η( gen )=65 0 0
Assume the

Output power of induction motor,

Po / p( motor )=Pi/ p ( gen)

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Input power to the induction motor,
Pi/ p( motor )=√ 3 VI cos φ=W

Efficiency of the motor,

P o/ p( motor )
η= ×100
P i/ p( motor )

3. Equipment List
Equipment Quantity
Three phase autotransformer 1
Three phase induction motor, 230/400 V 1
DC shunt generator, 190 V 1
Resistance load box 1
Three phase digital wattmeter 1
Digital tachometer 1
Digital multimeter 2

4. Schematic Diagram

5. Procedure
1. Connect as shown in the schematic.
2. Switch off all load switches on the load box.
3. Energize the field of dc generator.
4. Start the induction motor using auto transformer and run to its normal speed by applying
rated voltage.
5. Load the dc generator using the load resistance box.
6. Note the generator current and voltage, motor current, voltage, pf and speed. Record the
values in Table 1.
7. Repeat steps 5-6 until the max. rating of the motor or generator are reached, whichever
occurs earlier.

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 6. Measurements

Table 1:
DC Generator Induction Motor
Vdc Idc V I pf nr
155. 0.00 0.23969230 0.2396923 0.2 115.65665
0.1558 379.4 0.8 1488 0.2072447
8 1 8 1 2 3
152. 0.15 36.3653846 36.365384 0.2
23.6375 379.4 0.81 1483 138.3937 26.276763
5 5 2 6 6
150. 0.30 70.2006153 70.200615 159.72712
45.6304 379.5 0.81 0.3 1477 43.95034
1 4 8 4 7
147. 0.44 101.868307 101.86830 0.3 183.16236
66.2144 379.3 0.82 1472 55.616397
8 8 7 8 4 4
145. 0.58 132.117230 132.11723 0.3 202.02048
85.8762 379.8 0.83 1461 65.397938
8 9 8 1 7 3
143. 0.72 160.613538 160.61353 220.97365
104.399 379.7 0.84 0.4 1461 72.684473
8 6 5 8 6
142. 188.141538 188.14153 0.4 243.07445
0.86 122.292 379.5 0.86 1456 77.400787
2 5 8 3 1
140. 0.99 215.315692 215.31569 0.4 262.98745
139.955 379.4 0.87 1451 81.872989
8 4 3 2 6 9
139. 1.12 241.269230 241.26923 0.4 283.28411
156.825 379.3 0.88 1446 85.168641
4 5 8 1 9 5
138. 1.25 266.214307 266.21430 0.5 307.37943
173.039 379.2 0.9 1441 86.607716
1 3 7 8 2 6
136. 290.649230 290.64923 0.5 326.12299
1.38 188.922 379 0.92 1435 89.122581
9 8 1 4 7

7. Calculations (10%)

From table, V dc =145.8 , I dc =0.589 ,V =379. 8 , I =0.83 , pf =0.37

Po / p ( gen )=V dc I dc =145.8× 0. 589=85.876 W

P ( ) 85.876
Pi / p gen= o/ p gen = =132.117W
η( gen ) 0.65
Po / p motor =Pi / p gen=132.117W
Pi / p motor =√ 3VIpf =√ 3 ×379.8 ×0.83 × 0.37=202.02 W
P o/ p motor 132.117
η= × 100= ×100=65.43 %
Pi / p motor 202.02

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8. Post Lab (5%)
Obtain the torque-speed characteristic of the given three phase induction motor using
Matlab/Simulink. (Use the model used in post lab of experiment 6)

Torque Speed Characteristic

1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
Torque (Nm)

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Speed (rpm)

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9. Discussion (30%)

Load Characteristics
1.2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Series2 Series4 Series6 Series8

The discussion focuses on analyzing the performance of a three-phase induction motor under
varying load conditions. By examining the relationships between speed, efficiency, power factor,
and current, the experiment provides valuable insights into the behavior of the motor and its
alignment with theoretical expectations. Additionally, the advantages, disadvantages, and practical
applications of induction machines are explored to highlight their relevance and significance in
real-world scenarios. This analysis aims to deepen our understanding of the induction motor’s
operational characteristics and its role in various engineering applications.

The load characteristic matches what is expected for an induction motor. For speed, there is a
small drop at higher power outputs, which is normal for induction motors. This drop is smaller
compared to other motor types, showing one of the benefits of induction motors. The power factor
and current are linked when the power factor increases the fastest, the current rise slows down.
This happens because the current partly depends on the power factor. Finally, the efficiency
follows the usual pattern for electric machines, with the highest efficiency slightly below the
motor’s full power.

Advantages of Induction Motors: They include low cost, high efficiency, high starting torque, and
safe operation without sparks.
Disadvantages of Induction Motors: They include lack of self-starting torque in single-phase
motors, poor power factor at light loads, and difficulty in speed control.
Induction generators are used in regenerative braking systems and windmills for converting wind
energy into electrical energy.

The experiment showed how a three-phase induction motor works when the load increases. The
changes in speed, power factor, current, and efficiency matched what was expected based on
theory. It also highlighted the motor's strengths, such as being stable and efficient under different
loads. However, the experiment also showed some weaknesses, like the need to improve the power
factor and efficiency in real-world uses.

10.References (5%)
References include any outside reading you have done and must be cited in discussion. You have
to use the IEEE style of referencing as given below.

[1]"Induction Generator," Electrical4U. [Online]. Available:

https://www.electrical4u.com/induction-generator/. [Accessed: 19-Nov-2024].

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[2]"Advantages and Disadvantages of Induction Motors," Electrical4U. [Online]. Available:
https://www.electrical4u.com/induction-motor-advantages-and-disadvantages/
#:~:text=Advantages%20of%20Induction%20Motors%3A%20They,and%20difficulty%20in
%20speed%20control. [Accessed: 19-Nov-2024].