Unit III

Three Phase Induction Motor

Introduction:

The induction machine is an important class of electric machines, which finds wide application as

a motor in industry and in its single-phase form in several domestic applications. More than 85%

of industrial motors in use today are induction motors. It is substantially a constant-speed

motor with a shunt characteristic i.e. a few percent speed drop from no-load to full-load. It is

a singly fed motor (stator- fed), unlike the synchronous motor, which requires ac supply on

the stator side and dc excitation on the rotor. The torque developed in this motor is due to

current induction in the rotor (Hence the name Induction Motor), which is possible only at

non-synchronous speed. (Hence it is also called as asynchronous motor). It is a singly-fed

machine i.e. it draws its input power from the mains to set up the rotating magnetic field in the

air-gap which is essential for its operation and no external field supply is required.

3.1 Induction motor construction

A 3-phase induction motor consists of two main parts, namely stator and rotor.

1.Stator: It is the stationary part of the motor. It has three main parts, namely.
(i) Outer frame, (ii) Stator core and (iii) Stator winding.

(i) Outer frame: It is the outer body of the motor. Its function is to support the stator core and
to protect the inner parts of the machine.

(ii) Stator core: When AC supply is given to the induction motor; an alternating flux is set-up
in the stator core. This alternating field produces hysteresis and eddy current loss. To minimise
these losses, the core is made of high-grade silicon steel stampings.

Each stamping is insulated from the other with a thin varnish layer. The thickness to the stamping
usually varies from 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

(iii) Stator winding: The stator core carries a three-phase winding, which is usually supplied
from a three-phase supply system. The six terminals of the winding (two of each phase) are
connected in the terminal box of the machine. The stator of the motor is wound for definite
number of poles, the exact number being determined by the requirement of speed. It will be seen
that greater the number of poles, the lower is the speed and vice-versa, since

The three- phase winding may be connected in star or delta externally through a starter.

3.2 Types of rotors

Rotor: The rotating part of the motor is called rotor. Two types of rotors are used for 3-phase
induction motors. (i) Squirrel cage rotor (ii) Phase wound rotor.

(i) Squirrel cage rotor

The motors in which these rotors are employed are called Squirrel cage induction motors.
Because of simple and rugged construction, the most of the induction motors employed in the
industry are of this type. A squirrel cage rotor consists of a laminated cylindrical core having
semi-closed circular slots at the outer periphery. Copper or aluminium bar conductors are
placed in these slots and short circuited at each end by copper or aluminium rings, called
short circuiting rings, as shown in Fig. 9.3. Thus, in these rotors, the rotor winding is
permanently short-circuited and no external resistance can be added in the rotor circuit. Figure
9.3 clearly shows that the slots are not parallel to the shaft but these are skewed. The skewing
provides the following advantages:

(a) Humming is reduced, that ensures quiet running.

(b) At different positions of the rotor, smooth and sufficient torque is

obtained.

(c) It reduces the magnetic locking of the stator and rotor,

(d) It increases the rotor resistance due to the increased length of the rotor
bar conductors.
 (ii) Phase wound rotor
It is also known as slip ring rotor and the motors in which these rotors are employed are known as
phase wound or slip ring induction motors. This rotor is also cylindrical in shape, which consists
of large number of stampings. A number of semi-closed slots are punched at its outer periphery. A
3-phase insulated winding is placed in these slots. The rotor is wound for the same number of
poles as that of stator. The rotor winding is connected in star and its remaining three terminals
are connected to the slip rings. The rotor core is keyed to the shaft. Similarly, slip rings are also
keyed to the shaft but these are insulated from the shaft. (see Fig. 9. 4).

In this case, depending upon the requirement any external resistance can be added in the rotor
circuit. In this case also the rotor is skewed.

A mild steel shaft is passed through the centre of the rotor and is fixed to it with key. The purpose
of shaft is to transfer mechanical power.

3.3 Principle of operation

When 3-phase supply is given to the stator winding of a 3-phase wound induction motor, a
revolving field is set up in the stator core. The revolving field is cut by the stationary rotor
conductors and an emf is induced in the rotor conductors. Since the rotor conductors are short
circuited, current flows through them. The rotor picks up speed and tries to attain the
synchronous speed but fails to do so. It is because if the rotor attains the synchronous speed
 then the relative speed between revolving stator field and rotor will be zero, no emf will be
induced in rotor conductors. No emf means no current, no rotor field Fr and hence no torque is
produced. Thus, an induction motor can never run at synchronous speed. It always runs at a
speed less than synchronous speed.

Since, the principle of operation of this motor depends upon electromagnetic induction, hence
the name induction motor.

3.4 Slip
In an induction motor, the speed of rotor is always less than synchronous speed.The difference
between the speed of revolving field (N s) and the rotor speed (N) is called slip. The slip is
usually expressed as a percentage of synchronous speed (Ns) and is represented by symbol S.

3.5 Cogging and crawling

Cogging in Three-phase Induction Motors
In an induction motor, the magnetic circuit is completed through stator and rotor. It is the tendency of a
magnetic circuit to align itself in a position of minimum reluctance. Thus, if the number of stator slots is
equal to the number of rotor slots, there exists a position of minimum reluctance when the teeth of rotor
and stator are aligned opposite to each other. The radial alignment forces become very strong when the
machine is at rest and rotor and stator teeth are aligned. These forces may exceed the tangential forces of
acceleration thereby preventing the motor from starting.

Thus, the phenomenon by which the radial alignment forces exceed the tangential accelerating forces
and the machine (induction motor) refuses to start is called cogging.

Due to cogging, the rotor of induction motor is locked which may overheat the motor winding.

To avoid cogging the number of rotor slots are never made equal to the number of stator slots. Moreover,
the rotor is always skewed for smooth running of the rotor.
 Crawling in Three-phase Induction Motors

Sometimes, squirrel cage induction motors exhibits a tendency to run at very slow
speeds (as low as one-seventh of their synchronous speed). This phenomenon is called as
crawling of an induction motor.

This action is due to the fact that, flux wave produced by a stator winding is not purely
sine wave. Instead, it is a complex wave consisting a fundamental wave and odd harmonics like
3rd, 5th, 7th etc. The fundamental wave revolves synchronously at synchronous speed Ns
whereas 3rd, 5th, 7th harmonics may rotate in forward or backward direction at Ns/3, Ns/5,
Ns/7 speeds respectively. Hence, harmonic torques are also developed in addition with
fundamental torque.
3rd harmonics are absent in a balanced 3-phase system. Hence 3rd harmonics do not
produce rotating field and torque. The total motor torque now consist three components as: (i)
the fundamental torque with synchronous speed Ns, (ii) 5th harmonic torque with synchronous
speed Ns/5, (iii) 7th harmonic torque with synchronous speed Ns/7 (provided that higher
harmonics are neglected).
Now, 5th harmonic currents will have phase difference of
. 5 X 120 = 600° =2 X 360 - 120 = -120°.
. Hence the revolving speed set up will be in reverse direction with speed
Ns/5. The small amount of 5th harmonic torque produces breaking action and can be
neglected.
The 7th harmonic currents will have phase difference of
7 X 120 = 840° = 2 X 360 +120 = + 120°.

Hence they will set up rotating field in forward direction with

synchronous speed equal to Ns/7. If we neglect all the higher harmonics,
the resultant torque will be equal to sum of fundamental torque and 7th
harmonic torque. 7th harmonic torque reaches its maximum positive value
just before1/7th of Ns. If the mechanical load on the shaft involves
constant load torque, the torque developed by the motor may fall below
this load torque. In this case, motor will not accelerate up to its normal
speed, but it will run at a speed which is nearly 1/7th of its normal speed
as shown in Fig: 3.40. This phenomenon is called as crawling of
induction motors.

The resultant torque-speed curve combined with 7th harmonic and fundamental frequency is
shown in Fig. 9.48. Torque due to harmonic flux causes dip in the torque-speed characteristics.
When dip in the torque occur due to 7th harmonic and is insufficient to pick the load, the
motor can not accelerate to its full speed but starts crawling at the speed corresponding to
point ‘a ’.

Thus, when a 3-phase induction motor continues to rotor at a speed little lower than the 1/7th
synchronous speed, it is said to be crawling.

Such operation of a motor is unstable, a momentary reduction in load may permit the motor
to accelerate to the rated speed. In fact, the crawling effect can be eliminated by proper
choice of coil pitch and distribution of coils while designing the winding. This reduces the
harmonic flux in the air gap to very low value.

3.6 Equivalent circuit

It is seen that when stator winding of a 3-phase induction motor is connected to 3-
phase supply, the rotor circuit being closed (or short circuited), torque is developed
and rotor rotates. Thus, energy is transferred from stator winding to rotor winding
through magnetic flux. Therefore, an induction motor is similar to a transformer with
a rotating secondary. The induction motor may be viewed as shown in Fig. 9.32.
where per phase values have been considered.
This circuit can be further represented as shown in Fig. 9.33. Here, stator and rotor
winding is shown just as it is the primary and secondary of a transformer.
Phasor Diagram
The complete phasor diagram of an induction motor is shown in Fig. 9.34. It is
exactly similar to that of a transformer except that in this case the magnetising current
I0 is very large due to air gap between stator and rotor.

Simplified Equivalent Circuit of an Induction Motor

To simplify the circuit, all the quantities which are represented on the rotor side can
be referred to the stator side in the similar method as these are transferred (or referred)
from secondary to primary for a transformer. Then, the simplified equivalent circuit of
the induction motor will become as shown in Fig. 9.35. Here, RL represents the equivalent
electrical resistance represent gross mechanical load on the motor (or mechanical power
developed in the rotor)
 The equivalent circuit of an induction motor can further be
simplified as shown in Fig. 9.36.

Rotor Impedance
The total opposition offered to the flow of rotor current by the rotor circuit is called the rotor
impedance.

Rotor impedance, = R2 +j X2 = R2 + j SX2s

 Magnitude of rotor impedance, Z = √(R )2 + (SX )2
2 2 2s

Rotor Current
The rotor circuit diagram of an induction motor is shown in Fig. 9.12.

3.7 Torque Developed by an Induction Motor and Condition

for maximum Torque
We have already seen that the electrical power of 3-phase induction motor converted into
mechanical power is given by the relation;
(Correction: or T = 3/ωs ------)
ωs = ω / (1-S)
Thus, the maximum torque is independent of rotor resistance but it is inversely proportional to rotor
reactance at standstill (i.e., X2s). Therefore, to achieve higher value of maximum torque, the
leakage reactance of the rotor should be kept minimum. This is achieved (i) by placing the rotor
conductors very near to the outer periphery of the rotor and (ii) by reducing the air gap between
stator and rotor to smallest possible value.

Frequency of Rotor Currents

The frequency of rotor currents depends upon the relative speed between rotor and stator field.

When the rotor is stationary, the relative speed between stator revolving field and
stationary rotor conductors is (Ns– 0 = Ns) the frequency of rotor currents is the
 same as that of the supply frequency.

But once the rotor starts rotating, the frequency of rotor currents decreases depends upon relative
speed or slip speed (Ns – N).

Let at any speed N, the frequency of rotor currents be fr .

Then fr = (Ns-N )P/120 = Ns(Ns-N )P/Ns*120

= [(Ns-N) /Ns ] * Ns*P/120 = s *f

Therefore fr = s*f

Example 9.1: A 3-phase, 4 pole induction motor is connected to 400 V, 50 Hz supply.

Determine: (i) Synchronous speed.

(ii) Actual speed of the motor when running at 4% slip (iii) Frequency of emf induced in
rotor.

Solution: Synchronous speed, Ns = 120 f/P =120 *50 /4= 1500 rpm (Ans.)

Actual speed of motor, N = Ns (1 – s) where, s = 0·04

N = 1500 (1 – 0·04) = 1440 rpm (Ans)

Frequency of rotor emf, fr = s*f = 0.04 × 50 = 2 Hz (Ans)

Example:9.2 A 3-phase, 10 HP squirrel cage induction motor is wound for 6 poles. When the
motor is connected to 230 V, 50 Hz supply, at full-load, it operates at 4% slip. Determine (i) full
load speed. (ii) full load torque in Newton-metre. (iii) frequency of rotor current under this
condition and (iv) speed of rotation of the stator mmf .

Solution: Synchronous speed, Ns = 120 f/ P = 120* 50/ 6 = 1000 rpm

Full load speed, N = Ns (1 – s) = 1000 (1 – 0.04) = 960 rpm (Ans)

Output = ω T = 10 × 735.5 W (where ω = 2π N/ 60)

Or T = 10 *735.5 *60/ 2 π 960 = 73·16 Nm (Ans)

 Rotor current frequency, fr = s* f = 0.04 × 50 = 2 Hz (Ans)

Speed of rotation of stator mmf = Ns = 1000 rpm (Ans)

Example 9.2.b: In a 6 pole, 3 phase, 50 Hz Induction motor with star connected Rotor, the rotor
resistance per phase is 0.3 Ω, the reactance at standstill is 1.5Ω per phase and the e.m.f between
the slip rings on open circuit is 175 V. Calculate:(i) Slip at a speed of 960RPM (ii) Rotor e.m.f
per phase (iii) Rotor frequency and reactance at speed of 950 RPM.

Solution: Given data: R2 = 0.3 Ω, X2 = 1.5 Ω, P = 6, f = 50 Hz, E 2(line @standstill) = 175 V

E2ph = 175/√3 = 101.0362 V (@ standstill)

. i) Synchronous speed Ns = 120f/P = 120x50/6 = 1000 RPM.

. Slip ‘s’ at 960 RPM = (Ns-N)/ Ns = (1000-960)/1000 = 0.04 i.e. 4% ii) Rotor e.m.f. per phase at
the speed of 960RPM = E2r = s E2ph

. = 0.04 × 101.362 = 4.0414 Viii) For N = 950 RPM ,

. slip ‘s’ = (1000-950)/1000 = 0.05

. Rotor frequency fr = s f = 0.05 × 50 = 2.5 Hz X2r =sX2 =0.05×1.5=0.075Ω

3.8 Torque-slip Curve

(i) At synchronous speed (Ns); slip, s = 0 and torque T = 0.

(ii) When rotor speed is very near to synchronous speed i.e., when the slip is very low the
2 2 2
value of the term (sX2s )2 is very small in comparison to R2 [i.e., (sX2s) < < R2 )] and is
2 2 2
neglected. {T α sR2 /(R2 + s X2s )}

Therefore, torque is approximately proportional to slip s and the torque-slip curve is a straight
line, as shown in Fig. 9.22.
Fig: Torque-slip Characteristics
(iii) As the slip increases torque increases and attains its maximum value when S = R 2/X2s.

This maximum value of torque is also known as break down or pull out torque.

(iv) With further increase in slip due to increase in load beyond the point of maximum torque
2 2
i.e., when slip is high, the value of term (sX 2s) is very large in comparison to R2 .Therefore,
2 2
R2 is neglected as compared to (sX 2s) and the torque is given by the expression T is
inversely proportional to s.

The torque-slip curve is a rectangular hyperbola.

Thus, with the increase of slip beyond the point of maximum torque, due to increase in load,
torque decrease.

The result is that the motor could not pick-up the load and slows down and eventually stops.
This results in blocked rotor or short circuited motor.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.9 Losses and efficiency

Main Losses in an Induction Motor
The major losses in an induction motor are:

1. Stator losses:

(i) Stator copper losses – I12 R1 (per phase)

(ii) Stator iron losses- These are the hysteresis and eddy current
losses.

2. Rotor losses:

(i) Rotor copper losses – l22 R2 (per phase)

(ii) Rotor iron losses- Since under normal running condition rotor
frequency is very small, therefore, these losses are so small that
they are neglected.
 3. Mechanical losses: The sum of windage and friction losses is
called mechanical losses.

Constant and Variable Losses in an Induction Motor

Various losses which occur in an induction motor during energy conversions are given below:

(i) Constant losses (ii) Variable losses.

(i) Constant losses: The losses, which are independent of the load and remain constant
irrespective of the load variation, are called constant losses. These losses may be:

(a) Core losses: These include hysteresis and eddy current losses in stator as well as in rotor core.
Eddy current loss in rotor core is negligible since rotor current frequency is very small of the order
of 0·5 to 2 Hz. These losses are constant or fixed losses since these depend upon voltage and
frequency, which is practically constant.

(b) Friction and windage losses: These losses are also constant as these losses depend upon the
speed of the induction motor. The speed of induction motor is approximately constant (for
normal running, slip is very small). These losses occur in the machine because of power loss due
to friction at the bearings and to overcome wind resistance. Additional sliding friction loss
occurs in the slip ring induction motor.

(ii) Variable losses: The losses, which depend on the load and change with the variation in load
is called variable losses. These losses are:
(a) I2R loss in stator winding

(b) I2 R loss in rotor winding

These losses occur due to the resistance of stator winding as well as resistance of rotor
winding. This loss is also called copper loss. It is proportional to the square of the current
flowing in the stator as well as in rotor winding.

(c) Brush contact loss: This loss occurs only in slip ring induction motors. This is occurring
because of contact resistance between brushes and slip rings. Its magnitude is very small since
contact resistance is made minimum.

(iii) Stray losses: These losses are occurring in iron as well winding of the machine. These
cannot be determined exactly but are accounted for when the efficiency of the machine is
calculated, by suitable factor.
 Performance Curves of Induction Motors

The behaviour of an induction motor at different loads is different. The graphical representation
of various quantities of an induction motor with respect to its output represents its performance
curve.

1. Speed-output characteristics: The speed–output (or slip-output) characteristics of a 3-phase

induction motor are shown in Fig. 9.49. It shows that the speed of the motor decreases slightly
from no-load to full-load but slip increases. Hence, it is almost a constant speed motor, similar
to a DC shunt motor.

2. Power factor characteristics: The power factor–output characteristics of a 3-phase

induction motor are shown in Fig. 9.49. At no-load, motor draws magnetising current Imag
which is very large component due to high reluctance of the air-gap and no-load current Io lags
behind the voltage by a large angle and thus power factor of the motor is very low at no-load.
As the load increases, motor draws more current from the supply to meet with the load and the
percentage of magnetising current component decreases with respect to the total load current
drawn by the motor and thus power factor improves and goes on improving with the load, as
shown in Fig. 9.49.
Under operating conditions, at any load, there are certain fixed losses (such as iron losses and
mechanical loss) and variable losses i.e., stator and copper losses which vary as square of the load.
At light loads, fixed losses are more in comparison to variable losses whereas, at heavy loads (near to
full load) variable losses are more in comparison to fixed losses. But at certain load fixed losses are
equal to variable loss. At this load the efficiency of the machine is maximum. Thus, at light loads
efficiency is low but increases rapidly in the earlier stages becomes maximum and then again
decreases as shown in Fig. 9.50.

4. Stator current characteristics: The stator current–output characteristics of a 3-phase induction

motor are shown in Fig. 9.50. At no-load, motor drawn current to meet with the losses and to set-up
magnetic field in the core and air-gap which is nearly 20 to 30% of full-load which may be more for
small motors. When load on an induction motor increases, slip decreases and motor drawn extra
current from the mains. Because of high value of magnetising current this curve is not a straight line
curve.

3.10 Load test - No load and blocked rotor tests

Main Tests Performed on an Induction Motor

To determine losses, power factor, efficiency and other characteristics of an induction
motor various tests viz stator resistance test, no-load test, blocked rotor test etc., are performed on
an induction motor.
 Stator Resistance Test
This test is performed to determine the resistance of stator winding. In this test,
resistance between two terminals of the stator winding is measured by voltmeter-
ammeter method using DC supply as shown in Fig. 9.25 this gives the resistance
of two phases in series. To obtain the resistance of each phase, the measured value
is divided by 2. Let the resistance measured between two terminal be R’ , where

No-load Test
This test, as the name indicate, is performed on induction motor when it is running without
load. This test tells us the magnitude of constant losses occurring in the motor.

The machine is started in the usual way and runs without load at normal voltage. On the
stator side, suitable instruments are connected between supply mains and motor terminals
to measure power, line current and line voltage as shown in Fig. For power and power
factor measurement wattmeter readings W1 and W2 are taken.

Total power drawn by the motor is then the difference of the two wattmeter readings. The

readings of wattmeters are taken with various values of applied voltage and then curve is

plotted against power and input voltage. From this curve windage and friction losses are

determined.

Since motor is at no-load the input power supplied to the motor is utilised to meet with the losses

only. Losses are occurring in iron core of the stator as well as rotor which are called core losses.

Small amount of copper loss is also occurring in stator winding. This can be neglected since

stator current is very small. Therefore, total power is the sum of rotor iron loss + copper loss in

stator + friction and windage loss. The readings noted at normal voltage and at rated

frequency are considered to find out the fixed core losses.

 The procedure to separate the various losses is given below:

Total power measured by two readings of the wattmeter = P0= (W1–

W2-) watt, Copper losses in stator winding = 3I02R1

where I0 is the no-load current measured by ammeter at normal voltage and rated
frequency of supply and R is the stator winding resistance per phase and

is the applied voltage per phase.

Total constant losses = (P0 – 3I02R1) watt

Now to determine the friction and windage losses the curve drawn between applied voltage and

input power is extended till it cuts the vertical axis. The point where it intersects the vertical

axis, represent the losses at zero applied voltage. When applied voltage is zero the core losses and

stator copper losses are zero. Therefore, power input at no-load and zero voltage represents the

windage and friction losses. Other calculation is given below:

 Blocked Rotor Test
This test is performed by locking the rotor (by holding the rotor not to rotate). This is carried out to

know the copper loss at short circuit, power factor at short circuit and total equivalent resistance

and reactance of the motor referred to stator side. This test is just equivalent to short circuit test

of a transformer.

Starting with zero voltage across the stator, the applied voltage is gradually increased in steps till

motor draws the full-load current. The readings of voltmeter, ammeter and wattmeters are noted.

Total power = W1 + W2
The equivalent circuit of the induction motor referred to stator side is shown in Fig.
9.30

Usually, the stator reactance per phase X1 is assumed to be equal to rotor reactance per
phase as referred to stator side, i.e.,
 In case of phase wound motors, the stator and rotor winding resistances per phase

can be measured separately and the resistance determined by the test is divided in the

same ratio.

In case of squirrel cage motor, the rotor resistance per phase, as referred to stator,

can be determined by subtracting R1 (calculated from stator resistance test) from Req1,

i.e.,

The equivalent circuit is shown in Fig. 9.31.

The total power input to motor when rotor is locked is absorbed as total copper losses in the

motor as well as small iron losses (usually neglected). The iron losses are small since small

voltage only 10 to 15% of normal voltage is applied to circulate full load current in the motor.

Psc = total Cu loss in motor.

If Isc = full load current of motor then Psc is total copper loss on full load.
 = P0/ (3*V* I0) = 600/( 3 * 400 *1.443)

= 600/ 1731.6 =0.3465 (lag) (Ans.)

= 1.443 * 0.3465 = 0.5 A (Ans.)

2 2
= √(1.443 – 0.5 ) = 1.3536 A (Ans.)

Exciting resistance, R0 = V/ Iw = 400 / 0.5 =800 A (Ans.)

Exciting reactance, X0 = V / Imag = 400 / 1.3536 = 295.51 A (Ans.)

 3.11 Circle diagram and Separation of losses

Construction of a Circle Diagram for an Induction Motor

The circle diagram of an induction motor may be drawn by using the data obtained from (i) stator
resistance test, (ii) no-load test and (iii) blocked rotor test. From stator resistance test, the stator

winding resistance per phase R1 is determined.

 Results Obtainable from Circle Diagram
Let us assume that the motor is drawing a current of I1 ampere at any load. Draw an arc wi
radius

OL = I1 with O as its centre. From L, draw a line LM parallel to y-axis, as shown in Fig. 9.42
 which intersects various lines at points N,K and J. Then JM represents fixed losses, JK as stator

copper loss, KN as rotor copper loss, KL as rotor input, Nl as rotor output and LM as total mot
input.

Various analysis can be done by using the following relations:

3.13 Double Cage Induction Motor

Construction

A double cage induction motor consists of a rotor, which has two independent cages one above

the other in the same slot. A double cage rotor is shown in Fig. 9.54. The upper slot conductors

form the outer cage and the lower slot conductors form the inner cage. The outer cage consists

of bars of high resistance (resistance of outer cage in nearly 5 to 6 times the resistance of

inner cage), generally bars of brass alloy of smaller area of cross-section, are employed. The

inner cage consists of bars of low resistance, generally bars of copper metal of larger area of

cross section, are employed. Since the inner cage is embedded deep in the iron, it has relatively
 more leakage flux as shown in Fig. 9.55 and has high reactance.

Thus, the outer cage has high resistance and low reactance whereas, the inne
cage has low resistance and high reactance. A slit is provided between uppe
and lower slot so that it offers high reluctance for the stator field. Thus th
stator field instead of linking with only outer cage, links both the cage
simultaneously.

. Operation : at start, the reactances (2πfL) of the two cages are high as compare
their resistances. The divisions of the rotor current between the cages is determined
their relative impedance (reactance). Therefore, at start, comparatively a small cur
flows through inner cage bars while a large current flows through the outer cage in s
of its high resistance. Thus, at start the torque is mainly produced by the outer cage
shown in Fig. 9.56.
. As the motor picks up speed, the rotor current frequency decreases and is very low
rated speed. Under this condition the reactance of the two cages are very low
compared to their resistances. Therefore, the division of the rotor current between
cages is determined by their relative resistance and most of the current flows thro
the inner cage while a small current flows through the outer cage.

. Thus, under normal running condition, the torque is mainly produced by the inner c
as shown in Fig. 9.56.
. The torque-speed curves of outer and inner cages as well as double cage induc
motor are shown in Fig. 9.56 separately.

.
.
. 3.14 Induction generators

3.14 Induction Generator

An induction machine is in generating mode for s < 0 (negative
slip). An induction generator is asynchronous in nature
because of which it is commonly used as windmill generator as
a windmill runs at non-fixed speed. These are used in remote
areas to supplement power received from weak transmission
links. A transmission line connected to an induction generator
feeding a local load is drawn in Fig. 9.65. The prime mover
must be provided with automatic control to increase the
generator speed when it is required to meet increased load.
 Figure 9.66 shows the circle diagram of an induction machine
extended to the generating region i.e., below the OX co-
ordinate, which is the negative slip region. At slip = sl g, the
motor draws current I1m which lags the applied voltage V1 by
δ1m > 90°. This means negative pf (cos δ1m) or that the electric
power flows out of the machine resulting in generating
operation. The generating current fed to the line is then

with a leading pf cos F1m. This alternately means that the

machine draws a 90°-lagging current component to provide its
magnetizing current need. The transmission line has then to
feed the lagging current component of the load as well as the
magnetizing current of the induction generator. This places a
severe lagging VARs load on the already weak lines. This
burden must be relieved by connecting balanced shunt
capacitors (in delta) across the induction generator terminals.
These draw leading current or equivalently feed lagging
magnetizing current of the generator.

It is to be observed here that the operating frequency of the

system of Fig. 9.65 is fixed by the line frequency.

When a squirrel cage induction motor is energized from a three phase power
system and is mechanically driven above its synchronous speed it will deliver power
to the system. An induction generator receives its excitation (magnetizing current)
from the system to which it is connected. It consumes rather than supplies reactive
power (KVAR) and supplies only real power (KW) to the system. The KVAR
required by the induction generator plus the KVAR requirements of all other loads
on the system must be supplied from synchronous generators or static capacitors on
the system.
 Operating as a generator at a given percentage slip above synchronous speed, the
torque, current, efficiency and power factor will not differ greatly from that when
operating as a motor. The same slip below synchronous speed, the shaft torque and
electric power flow is reversed. Typical speed torque characteristic of induction
generator is shown in Fig: 3.41.

Principle of operation

If the rotor is made to rotate at a speed more than the synchronous speed, the slip
becomes negative. A rotor current is generated in the opposite direction, due to the
rotor conductors cutting stator magnetic field in the other direction. This generated
rotor current produces a rotating magnetic field in the rotor which will now
push(forces in opposite way)the stator field. (When the machine was working at
lesser than the synchronous speed, the rotor magnetic field was trying to follow the
stator magnetic field) This causes a stator voltage which pushes current flowing out
of the stator winding against the applied voltage. Thus, the machine now works as an
induction generator (asynchronous generator).

This basic concept of an Induction machine working as a motor (with a positive slip)
and as a generator (with negative slip) is illustrated in the following Torque slip
characteristics.

1. Motoring mode: 0 < s < 1 : For this range of slip, the load
resistance in the circuit model of Fig. 9.36 is positive, i.e.
mechanical power is output or torque developed is in the
direction in which the rotor rotates.

2. Generating mode: s < 0 Negative slip implies rotor running

at super-synchronous speed (n > ns). The load resistance is
negative in the circuit model of Fig. 9.36 which means that
mechanical power must be put in while electrical power is put
out at the machine terminals.

3. Braking mode: s > 1 The motor runs in opposite direction to

the rotating field (i.e. n is negative), absorbing mechanical
power (braking action) which is dissipated as heat in the rotor
copper.
 Applications: Induction generators produce useful power even at
varying rotor speeds. Hence they are suitable for wind turbines.

Advantages: Induction or asynchronous generators are more rugged

and require no commutator and brush arrangement (as needed in case of
synchronous generators.)

One of the major disadvantages of induction generators is that they take quite a
large amount of reactive power from the Grid.

3.15 Synchronous Induction Motor

It is slip ring induction motor which can be operated as
synchronous motor when the rotor excited with a dc source.
One phase of slip ring carries a current Ia and the other two
phases carry a current of (- Ia/2) . The dc excitation gives
alternate North and South poles on the rotor. This
configuration is similar to the working principle of synchronous
motor.

The synchronous induction motor is started as an induction

motor with external resistances in the rotor circuit as shown in
Fig. 9.76. The throw-over switch is in position 1, 2, 3. As the
resistance is cut out the motor speed reaches close to
synchronous, the switch is thrown to position 1’, 2’, 3’
connecting the rotor to dc source. The rotor gets pulled into
synchronism and the motor runs as a synchronous motion. For
the dc supply a permanent magnet dc generator is coupled to
the motor and connected to attached terminals (1’, 2’, 3’)
through a buck/boost converter. The voltage of the converter
can be varied to control the pf of the motor.

The synchronous induction motor provides a high starting

torque and low starting current and pf control when running as
synchronous motor.

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