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A single-phase induction motor operating as a self-excited induction

generator

Article in Archives of Electrical Engineering · September 2013

DOI: 10.2478/aee-2013-0029

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ARCHIVES OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOL. 62(3), pp. 361-373 (2013)

DOI 10.2478/aee-2013-0029

A single-phase induction motor operating

as a self-excited induction generator*

ALEKSANDER LEICHT, KRZYSZTOF MAKOWSKI

Institute of Electrical Machines, Drives and Measurements, Wroclaw University of Technology

Smoluchowskiego 19, 50-372 Wrocław 51, Poland
e-mail: {aleksander.leicht / krzysztof.makowski}@pwr.wroc.pl

(Received: 26.06.2012, revised: 18.11.2012)

Abstract: The purpose of the paper is the investigation of possibility of utilization of

a single-phase induction machine, designed and normally operating as a single-phase ca-
pacitor induction motor, as a self-excited single-phase induction generator, which can be
used to generate electrical energy from non-conventional energy sources. The paper pre-
sents dq model of the self-excited single-phase induction generator for dynamic charac-
teristics simulation and steady-state model based on double revolving field theory with
two phase symmetrical components – a forward and backward revolving field for per-
formance of the generator under resistive load. Excitation and load characteristics ob-
tained by simulation showed considerable influence of method of capacitor configuration
in the load stator winding on terminal voltage, current and output power of the generator
under load. An specific construction of the stator windings together with capacitor re-
quirements to obtain nominal output power at desired self-regulating terminal voltage
over the operating range will be the aim of further research.
Key words: induction generator, single-phase, circuit modelling, self-excited, induction
motor

1. Introduction

Self-excited single-phase induction generators (SPSEIGs), driven by small wind turbine or

hydro turbine may be successfully utilised as an additional or reserve source of electrical
energy at household or in remote areas. For supplying single-phase loads of power up to
10 kW single-phase self-excited induction generators or three phase self-excited induction
generators with single-phase output may be used. Excitation capacitors should have regulated
capacitance to secure self-excitation and stability of output voltage of generator during load

*
This is extended version of a paper which was presented at the 22th Symposium on Electromagnetic
Phenomena in Nonlinear Circuits, Pula, Croatia, 26.06-29.06 2012.

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362 A. Leicht, K. Makowski Arch. Elect. Eng.

changes. Considerable interest in induction generator was observed in last two decades when
renewable energy sources became alternative to conventional sources [1-8]. Self-excited
induction generators have advantages like simplicity, durability and low costs of manufactur-
ing and maintenance when compared to synchronous, permanent magnet or DC generators.
Theirs main disadvantages are unpredictable residual magnetism, necessary for self-excitation,
and weak voltage self-regulation [1, 4]. Output characteristics of the SPSEIGs may be im-
proved with proper design of the magnetic circuit, windings and adequate choice of capacitors.
The operation range of the SPSEIGs can also be expanded with use of a simple power electro-
nics-based scheme, such as reported in [3]. A single-phase induction motor may operate as the
SPSEIG if the rotor of the machine is driven with synchronous speed or higher with the main
and auxiliary stator windings electrically separated and when the capacitor is connected across
the auxiliary winding (excitation winding) or/and in the main stator winding (load winding).
Due to residual magnetism in the magnetic core of the machine, self-excitation phenomenon
occurs. Its intensity depends on residual flux density left after preceding operation of the ma-
chine, rotor speed, and values of capacitances connected in the excitation and load windings.
The paper presents an influence of different capacitor topologies and number of turns of
stator windings on steady-state and self-excitation performance characteristics of the SPSEIG.
The considered machine is an off-the-shelf single-phase induction machine designed for motor
operation. The steady-state calculations were performed with the use of analytical circuit
model based on double revolving field theory, while the transient analysis was done with the
use of dq model.

2. Steady-state model of the generator

A steady-state model of the SPSEIG which was used for simulation is based on double
revolving field theory and two-phase symmetrical components method – the elliptic field in
the machine’s airgap is decomposed into two waves progressing in opposite directions: a for-
ward and backward revolving field, each associated with an induction machine equivalent
circuit [9, 10]. The equivalent circuit of considered generator is given in Figure 1 and is simi-
lar to the equivalent circuit of the single-phase induction motor, where the load impedance
ZLM replaces supply voltage.
RM and XlM are the resistance and leakage reactance of the main winding, RA and XlA are the
resistance and leakage reactance of the auxiliary winding, referred to the main winding.
Respective rotor parameters, also referred to the main stator winding are denoted as Rr and Xlr.
XCA denotes reactance of the excitation capacitor in the auxiliary winding.
Autonomous induction generator operates in general at variable frequencies, thus phase
impedances are adjusted for the per unit operating frequency denoted as F. Also, slip was
replaced with per unit rotor speed v. Magnetizing reactance Xm is affected by magnetic
saturation (Fig. 2).

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Vol. 62(2013) A single-phase induction motor operating as a self-excited induction generator 363

Fig. 1. Equivalent circuit of a single-

phase self excited induction generator

Fig. 2. Magnetization curve

of the considered machine

The conditions under which the generator self-excites (resonance conditions) are deter-
mined by the relation:
I sf ⋅ Z t = 0. (1)

Since Isf cannot be zero under steady-state self-excitation, the resonance conditions are
derived by equating real and imaginary parts of total impedance of the equivalent circuit, Zt, to
zero [10]. Those equations yield unknown values of Xm and F for given rotor speed v and load
impedance ZLM which can be evaluated using Matlab software. For given Xm and F, cor-
responding value of airgap voltage Ug may be determined from the magnetizing characte-
ristics. Using equivalent circuit, forward and backward components of stator currents, Isf and
Isb are computed, and finally, main and auxiliary winding currents IM, IA and voltages UM, UA
are calculated from the following relations (a denotes machine’s auxiliary-to-main turns ratio)
[9]:
I M = I sf + I sb , (2)

j ⋅ (I sf + I sb )
IA = , (3)
a
U M = I M ⋅ Z LM , (4)

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364 A. Leicht, K. Makowski Arch. Elect. Eng.

−I A ⋅ jX CA
UA = . (5)
F2

3. Dynamic model of the generator

The dq model of the SPSEIG was formulated under following assumptions:

• air-gap is uniform,
• only fundamental harmonic magnetic field is considered,
• core loss and skin-effect in rotor bars are neglected,
• magnetizing inductance is subject to saturation,
• resistances and leakage inductances are constant,
• generator is driven at constant speed.
Using flux linkages as state variables, a set of nonlinear differential equations mapping
dynamics of the generator may be written as follows:
dψ ds R
= udM − M (ψ ds +ψ dm )
dt LlM

′
dψ qs
dt
= uCA
R′
′ − A ψ qs
′
(
′ +ψ qm )
LlA
(6)
′
dψ dr
dt
R′
= − 'r ψ dr (
′ +ψ dm +ψ qr
′ ωr )
L lr

′
dψ qr R′
= − r ψ qr (
′ +ψ qm −ψ dr
′ ωr , )
dt L′ lr

ψ dm =
− Lm
( Llr′ ψ ds + LlMψ dr′ )
LlM Llr′ + Lm ( LlM + Llr′ )
(7)
ψ qm =
− Lm
′ Llr′ + Lm ( LlA
′ + Llr′ )
( Llr′ ψ qs′ + LlA′ ψ dr′ ),
LlA

2 2
ψ m = ψ dm + ψ qm . (8)

Nonlinear dependence Lm = f(ψm) was determined using so-called normal magnetizing

curve for induction machines [11] and was approximated by the 2nd order polynomial as
follows:

Lm = −0.5816ψ m2 + 0.09305ψ m + 1.894. (9)

Having determined the flux linkages, the stator currents are calculated as:

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Vol. 62(2013) A single-phase induction motor operating as a self-excited induction generator 365

ψ ds +ψ dm
idM = −
LlM
(10)
′ +ψ qm
ψ qs
′ =−
iqA .
′
LlA

The voltage across the main stator winding (load winding) may be calculated using the ex-
pressions:
1
u dM = R L ⋅ i dM or u dM =
C Msh
idM dt ∫ (11)

and the voltage across the excitation winding is given by:

1
′ =
uCA
CA ∫
′ dt.
iqA (12)

4. The excitation and regulation capacitor topologies

Computations of performance characteristics of the SPSEIG with excitation capacitor CA

in the auxiliary winding were performed for three configurations in the load stator winding,
i.e. without capacitor, with parallel capacitor and with series connected capacitor, as shown in
Figure 3.

Fig. 3. Generator with excitation capacitor and: a) without capacitor in the load winding,
b) with parallel capacitor in the load winding, c) with series capacitor in the load winding

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366 A. Leicht, K. Makowski Arch. Elect. Eng.

5. Steady-state performance characteristics

The load characteristics of the SPSEIG without and with series and shunt capacitor in the
load winding are presented in Figure 4. In order to make comparison of performance charac-
teristics it was assumed that for each analyzed configuration, the terminal voltage has nominal
value of 230 V for synchronous rotor speed at no-load operation. It required selection of
adequate specific value of capacitor connected in series or parallel to the stator windings. The
ratings and winding parameters of the tested machine are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Ratings and parameters of the tested machine

Rated power 0.09 kW
Rated voltage 230 V
Rated current 0.9 A
Rated speed 2840 rpm
Efficiency 0.55
Power factor 0.9
Frequency 50 Hz
Stator windings resistances RM / R A 48.3 Ω / 156.8 Ω
Stator winding leakage inductances LlM / LlA 59.3 mH / 210.1 mH
Rotor cage resistance Rr 39.2 Ω
Rotor cage leakage inductance L’lr 160.2 mH

It may be observed from Figure 4 that load characteristics of the generator depend on value
of capacitance and method of connection of capacitor to the load stator winding. The series
connected capacitor allows loading the generator up to its maximum power and ensures good
stability of the terminal voltage at rated value of output power. The parallel connected capa-
citor in the load winding brings about reduction of induced voltage in the exciting stator wind-
ing but at the same time causes decrease of maximum output power by about 40%.
A single-phase induction machine designed to operate as a motor can be used as induction
generator, however it’s performance may not be satisfactory. The parameters of the motor
differ from those of the generator for good performance. Among other parameters, the magne-
tizing characteristic and stator windings need to be modified. Figure 5 shows the magnetizing
characteristics for different number of stator winding turns, while the Figure 6-8 presents the
effects of variation of the winding turns on the load characteristics. In this figures, NM and NA
denote the number of turns in the main (load) and auxiliary (excitation) winding, and a is the
auxiliary-to-main turns ratio. The calculations were performed for all the capacitor topologies
presented in Figure 3. The capacitor capacitances were selected to maintain the no-load
nominal voltage for the base winding configuration (NM = 840, NA = 1252, a = 1.56) and was
maintained for the other configurations.

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Vol. 62(2013) A single-phase induction motor operating as a self-excited induction generator 367

Fig. 4. Load characteristics of SPSEIG at unity power factor load for different configurations of load
stator winding: a) terminal/load voltage; b) auxiliary winding voltage; c) main winding/load current;
d) auxiliary winding current

Fig. 5. Magnetizing characteristics

of SPSEIG for different number of
stator windings turns

The magnetizing characteristics give suggestion about requirements of the excitation

capacitor. When the saturated value of Xm is low, the machine needs higher value of capaci-
tance. Lowering the number of turns of the auxiliary winding lowers the voltage UA, which
is beneficial, but it worsens the terminal voltage regulation and the higher value of the capa-
citance is required. Better results were obtained by increasing the number of turns in the main
stator winding – the required capacitance is lower and it results in better voltage regulation.
However, the voltage in auxiliary winding rises.

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368 A. Leicht, K. Makowski Arch. Elect. Eng.

Fig. 6. Load characteristics of SPSEIG at unity power factor load for different stator winding
configurations, for the topology shown in Figure 3a: a) terminal voltage;
b) auxiliary winding voltage; c) main winding current; d) auxiliary winding current

Fig. 7. Load characteristics of SPSEIG at unity power factor load for different stator winding
configurations, for the topology shown in Figure 3b: a) terminal voltage;
b) auxiliary winding voltage; c) main winding current; d) auxiliary winding current

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Vol. 62(2013) A single-phase induction motor operating as a self-excited induction generator 369

Fig. 8. Load characteristics of a SPSEIG at unity power factor load for different stator winding
configurations, for the topology shown in Figure 3c: a) load voltage;
b) auxiliary winding voltage; c) main winding current; d) auxiliary winding current

6. Self-excitation of the single-phase induction generator

Simulations of dynamic operation of the SPSEIG was limited to self-excitation process

with excitation capacitor CA in the auxiliary winding for three basic configurations in the load
winding as shown in Figure 3. As in the Section 5, the excitation capacitor CA across
the auxiliary winding was such selected that no-load terminal voltage across the main winding
reaches about 230 V (the nominal value) at steady-state. The voltage and current waveforms
of the generator excited at no-load operation and after application of 50% rated load are shown
in Figures 9-11.
It is seen that the load stator winding with capacitor connected in series with load im-
proved stability of the terminal voltage under load. The results showed enormous sensitivity of
the terminal voltage to load: switching about 50% of nominal resistive load of the generator
brings about the terminal voltage drop by several percent. Increasing magnetizing inductance
Lm (Fig. 12) by increasing the number of turns of the load winding (M) has profitable impact
on self excitation of the generator and stability of voltage under resistive load. Changing
number of turns of the excitation winding even by (5-10)% does not effect visibly on magne-

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370 A. Leicht, K. Makowski Arch. Elect. Eng.

tizing inductance Lm. However, increasing the number of turns of the excitation winding (A)
brings about considerable increase of the voltage and current in the excitation winding.

Fig. 9. No-load/load terminal voltage, load current and auxiliary winding voltage during self-excitation
for generator without capacitor in load winding (Fig. 3a);
a, c, e NM = 840, NA = 1252, a = 1.56; b, d, f NM = 885, NA = 1252, a = 1.48

7. Conclusions

In the paper, the steady-state and self-excitation characteristics of the single-phase in-
duction generator with different configuration of load stator winding was presented. The re-
sults showed enormous sensitivity of the terminal voltage to method and value of capacitance

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Vol. 62(2013) A single-phase induction motor operating as a self-excited induction generator 371

connected in the load stator winding. The influence of the number of turns of the stator
windings was examined. It was shown that number of turns of stator windings of the single-
phase induction machine operating as an autonomous generator at constant speed should be
chosen to ensure good terminal voltage regulation and to decrease the voltage in the auxiliary
(excitation) winding. The single-phase induction machine operating as a generator should be
designed to work with the auxiliary winding voltage higher than the nominal value. Investi-
gations on specific construction of the generator windings to obtain maximum output power at
desired self-regulating terminal voltage (to remain the terminal voltage at required level) over
the operating range will be the aim of further research.

Fig. 10. No-load/load terminal voltage, main winding current and auxiliary winding voltage during self-
excitation for generator with parallel capacitor in load winding (Fig. 3b);
a, c, e NM = 840, NA = 1252, a = 1,56; b, d, f NM = 885, NA = 1252, a = 1.48

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372 A. Leicht, K. Makowski Arch. Elect. Eng.

Fig. 11. No-load/load terminal voltage, load current and auxiliary winding voltage during self-excitation
for generator with series capacitor in load winding (Fig. 3c);
a, c, e NM = 840, NA = 1252, a = 1.56; b, d, f, NM = 885, NA = 1252, a = 1.48

Fig. 12. Magnetizing characteristics

of a SPSEIG for different number of
stator windings turns

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 Vol. 62(2013) A single-phase induction motor operating as a self-excited induction generator 373

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