I.

Synchronous Motor Characteristics and operations

I.I Introduction
Synchronous motors are motors that run at constant speeds related to supply frequency and
pole pair numbers. Synchronous motors never get self-starting while induction motors do.
Synchronous motors are popular due to their accurate speed control and improved power
factor correction in several applications [1].
I. II Characteristics of Synchronous Motors
The synchronous motors have some typical properties, unlike other AC motors [1]:
1. The rotor speed is constant and synchronized with the stator magnetic field, given as ,
where is the supply frequency and is the number of poles.
2. Not self-starting. Along with a damper winding, one may need an external prime mover to
drive the rotor up to near synchronous speed before final machine excitation.
3. Power factor control. The synchronous motor can be made to operate at lagging, unity, or
leading power factor by suitably varying the field excitation, which can then improve the
efficiency of the entire system.

I.III Principle of Operation

When a three-phase stator winding is energized, it creates a rotating magnetic field at
synchronous speed. If the rotor, once brought to near-synchronous speed, is excited with DC,
it interlocks with the rotating field, causing the motor to operate synchronously. The torque
developed depends on the phase difference between stator flux and rotor poles [1].

I.IV Power Flow and Equivalent Circuit

The power input to the motor is given by:
where is the line voltage, is the line current, and is the power factor angle. The internal
voltage equation is:

where is the back EMF, is armature resistance, and is synchronous reactance. The mechanical
power developed is:
where is the load angle [1].
Effect of Excitation on Performance
• Under-Excitation: , resulting in a lagging power factor.
• Normal Excitation: , yielding unity power factor.
• Over-Excitation: , causing a leading power factor, which aids in power factor correction [1].

I.V Torque Characteristics

The maximum torque is created at a load angle of 90 degrees, termed the pull-out torque. The
equation for developed torque is below:

where is the synchronous speed in RPM [1].

Starting Methods
Various approaches are implemented for synchronous motors, as they are not self-starting:
[1]
1. Induction Motor Effect: Starting torque is provided by the damper winding.
2. Pony Motor: A small motor continuously accelerates the synchronous motor until getting
close to synchronous speed and then when the alternator is excited.
3. Using Variable Frequency Drive (VFD): A VFD slowly increases frequency in bringing the
motor to synchronous speed.

II. Detailed motor parts, its constructions and functions

A synchronous motor is an electric motor that operates at synchronous speed and transforms
electrical energy into work. It is based on the principle of interaction of the rotating magnetic
field of stators with that of the rotor [2]

II.I Types of Synchronous Motors

Synchronous motors are generally grouped into two broad categories, namely:
1. Non-Excited Synchronous Motors: The rotors of these motors find natural alignment with
the stator’s magnetic field, allowing rotation without an external supply of DC.
2. Excited Synchronous Motors: These motors need external assistance to supply power,
through DC, to allow rotor excitation to enable synchronization.

II.II Construction of Synchronous Motor

The synchronous motor is built of many electrical parts that are responsible for efficiency
and performance [2]:
1. Stator: A stationary part made out of silicon-steel stampings that contains internal slots for
windings.
2. Stator Winding: A three-phased star or delta-connected copper winding fitted into the slots
of the stator.
3. Rotor: A cylindrical shell with poles on it, also made of silicon-steel stampings.
4. Rotor Winding: Copper windings fitted on the poles, which are excited by DC supply from
the exciter.
5. Exciter: A small DC shunt generator, mounted on the rotor shaft, which supplies excitation
to the rotor winding.
6. Slip Rings and Brushes: Two slip rings made of phosphor bronze, which are provided with
DC excitation through brushes.

II.III Additional Motor Components and Functions

Electric motors contain various essential components that contribute to their operation and
efficiency, these include [3]:
1. Armature: Consists of wire windings on a ferromagnetic core. Electric current passing
through the wire generates a magnetic field, causing torque on the rotor.
2. Air Gap: The air gap between the stator and rotor is inseparable from the efficiency and
electrical properties of the motor.
3. Commutator: It is the device that serves as a rotary switch for periodically reversing the
current in the rotor windings to maintain steady torque.
4. Bearings: These support the rotor and allow for its smooth rotation with reduced friction.
5. Shaft: The shaft extends outside the motor and transmits mechanical power to external
loads.
Collectively, the above components allow the motor to convert electrical work to mechanical
work efficiently, making synchronous motors suitable for industrial applications [3].

III. Characterisation of the starting torque and its improvement

Synchronous motors are not self-starting and would therefore require an external force to set
them in motion. Their starting torque is developed by means such as damper windings or an
external prime mover. The methods employed to improve the starting torque are:
1. Damper Windings: Copper bars embedded within the rotor produce initial torque, similar
to that of an induction motor, to bring the motor close to synchronous speed before excitation
[4].
2. External Prime Mover: A secondary motor starts the rotor, achieving synchronous speed
before switching to synchronous operation [4].
3. Variable Frequency Drive (VFD): Implements preset voltage settings and frequency
alteration during startup, therefore reducing inrush current and facilitating smooth
acceleration [4].
The aforementioned tactics cause the synchronous motors to attain good efficiency and
perform well at startup and therefore can be used in a variety of industrial applications.

IV. Torque and speed characteristics

Torque is the factor that assures smooth working of the synchronous motor at a constant
speed. The torque equation for a synchronous motor is [5]: where is the load angle, and pull-
out torque is the maximum torque reached at , which is a significant phenomenon.
IV.I Pull-Out Torque
This is the torque which represents the maximum torque that a motor can handle while being
in synchronism. If the motor exceeds this value, the rotor will fall out of synchronism and
therefore perform badly [5].
IV.II Methods to Improve Starting Torque
Auxiliary Motor: It is used to bring the motor up to synchronous speed.
Damper Windings: These help in the generation of initial torque.
Variable Frequency Drive: This will increase the voltage and frequency slowly, and keep the
startup smooth.
V. Application of Synchronous motors give example for each application.
Synchronous motors are used commonly in every industry owing to their higher efficiency
and ability to provide constant speed. They drive large generators in power generation plants,
providing a steady supply of energy into the grid and to industrial plants [1]. They drive
compressors, pumps, and conveyors through the use of synchronous motors in industrial
machinery, allowing for precise speed control for the efficient manufacture of product lines
[2]. In turn, synchronous motors provide mixing and pumping capabilities in chemical
processing plants where continuous operation is crucial for the maintenance of product
quality [3]. Others use synchronous motors in their HVAC systems in larger air conditioning
and ventilation applications to increase energy efficiency and provide airflow consistency
[4]. Synchronous motors are applied in computer telephony and networks of signal
processing and data transmission, permitting synchronize the telecommunications
infrastructure [5].
VI. Advantage and Disadvantage of Synchronous motors over other motors.
Synchronous motors have several advantages over other motor types, which suits specific
applications all the more. Among the advantages would be its constant speed operation,
rendering them apt for more accurate applications like industrial automation and power
generation [2]. In addition, due to lower rotor losses, it works at high efficiencies. This in
return tends to reduce energy input during long periods of operation [3]. Another main
advantage is power factor correction, which allows it to operate with a leading power factor
in an industry, which helps in reducing reactive power consumption and enhances overall
efficiency [1]. Nevertheless, there are some disadvantages associated with synchronous
motors that include: it requires external excitation in some types, which introduces certain
complications and also calls for maintenance [4]. They are also not self-starters, thereby often
necessitating other starting devices such as pony motors and damper windings [3].
Regardless of these limitations, they became important in various industries owing to their
advantages of speed stability, energy efficiency, and power factor correction [5].
References
[1] Electrical Technology, "Synchronous Motors," Chapter 38, pp. 1490-1512.
[2] Mechtex, "Introduction of Synchronous Motor,"
https://mechtex.com/blog/introduction-of-synchronous-motor.
[3] Wikipedia, "Electric Motor,"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_motor.
[4] GeeksforGeeks, "Synchronous Motor,"
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/synchronous-motor/.
[5] Mechtex, "Understanding the Torque of Synchronous Motor,"
https://mechtex.com/blog/understanding-the-torque-of-synchronous-motor.