Three Phase Induction

Motor
3. Construction
An induction motor consists essentially of two main parts :
(a) a stator and (b) a rotor.
(a)Stator The stator of an induction motor is, in principle, the same as that
of a synchronous motor or generator.
(b) It is made up of a number of stampings, which are slotted to receive the
windings
(c) The stator carries a 3-phase winding and is fed from a 3-phase supply.
(d) It is wound for a definite number of poles*, the exact number of poles
being determined by the requirements of speed. Greater the number of
poles, lesser the speed and vice versa.
(e)that the stator windings, when supplied with 3-phase currents, produce
a magnetic flux, which is of constant magnitude but which revolves (or
rotates) at synchronous speed ( Ns = 120 f/P). This revolving magnetic
flux induces an e.m.f. in the rotor by mutual induction.
(b) Rotor
(i)Squirrel-cage rotor : Motors employing this type of rotor
are known as squirrel-cage induction motors.
(ii)Phase-wound or wound rotor : Motors employing this
type of rotor are variously known as ‘phase-wound’
motors or ‘wound’ motors or as ‘slip-ring’ motors.
What is an Induction Motor (IM)?
Induction Motor is a singly-excited device that
works on the principle of Mutual Induction. It is
similar to a transformer which also works on
the same principle. The difference between a
transformer and IM is the transformer is a
static device whereas the IM is a rotating
device.
The stator is a stationary part whereas the
rotor is the rotating part. The winding placed
on the stator acts as the primary winding and
rotor as the secondary winding.
The single-phase IM is not a self-starting motor whereas
a three-phase IM is a self-starting motor. The self-
starting of a motor depends upon the production of
torque due to RMF.
Working of Induction Motor
When a three-phase supply is given to the stator winding of the
motor an RMF will be developed at synchronous speed (N s). This
developed RMF will revolve inside the air gap provided between the
stator and rotor. The rotor conductors will be influenced by the RMF
as whenever current-carrying conductors are in a varying magnetic
field an emf will get induced. As the rotor conductors are short-
circuited an emf is induced from stator to the rotor by means
electromagnetic-induction. The RMF is the change of polarities with
respect to the time is shown in the figure below.
The developed RMF produces a unidirectional torque which
helps the rotor to rotate in the same direction as of RMF. The
electromagnetic field induced in rotor conductors tries to
catch the speed of RMF I,e (Ns). But it can never be able to
catch its speed because due to Lenz’s law. According to
Lenz’s law, it opposes the cause that produced it. So, the
rotor rotates at a speed less than (Ns) which is also known as
an asynchronous motor.
Induction Motor Classification
Based on the construction of rotor IM is further classified as
•Squirrel-cage IM, and
•Slip Ring IM.
Squirrel Cage Type
Construction
It consists of the yoke, wound stator, squirrel cage rotor, shaft, bearings, endrings, and a
fan. The yoke is the outer part of the motor which is used as a protecting cover. The
stator is the stationary part of the motor on which armature winding is wound and given
a three-phase supply. The laminated sheet of a squirrel cage motor is shown in the figure
below.
The rotor bars are laminated by the cylindrical core to reduce the eddy current losses.
Squirrel cage rotor is shown in the figure below. The front portion of the motor is covered
by a brush and bearing assemblies. Bearings are used to reduce friction between the
moving parts. The shaft is used as a mechanical output from the motor. Endrings are
provided to short the winding of secondary. A fan is provided to cool the heat generated
inside the motor which is escaped out through a ventilating duct. The entire portion of
the rotor looks like a squirrel cage hence, the name is squirrel cage motor.
Working

When a three-phase supply is given to the stator of IM, the armature

winding develops RMF in the air gap inside the motor. This RMF
rotates at synchronous speed and cuts the rotor conductors. The rotor
conductors experience a force due to the current induced according to
the Lorentz force equation. The squirrel cage motor is shown in the
figure below. This current is induced as the rotor conductors are
influenced by the RMF. The rotor tries to rotate at RMF speed but it
cannot do so because of the opposition caused according to the Lenz
law. The squirrel cage motor consumes high starting current(6-7 times
of full load current), and low starting torque. These disadvantages are
overcome by the introduction of Slip ring IM.
Slip Ring IM
To overcome the disadvantages of a squirrel-cage motor, slip rings are
attached to the end of the circuit. It is used as an external circuit which has
high resistance connected in series with the circuit. The external circuit of the
slip ring IM is shown in the figure below. Because of this high resistance
high starting current is limited as the high resistance opposes the current
intake. It also provides a good starting torque to the motor. After the smooth
run of the motor, the external circuit is removed to avoid running losses. So,
it acts as an external circuit to maintain high starting torque and consumes
low current while starting. Apart from this, all the working conditions of slip
ring IM is the same as that of a squirrel type.
Advantages of IM
•Low cost
•Highly reliable
•Less maintenance
•Rugged construction.

Applications
•Used for domestic purposes.
•Used in Industries.

Advantages of Slip Ring IM over Squirrel Cage

•Slip ring has high starting torque
•It consumes less starting current.

Disadvantages of Slip Ring IM

•High capital requirement
•Operational losses
•Design is complex
•High Maintenance cost.
Torque Slip Characteristics of Induction Motor
To draw the torque slip characteristics of induction motor (three phase) following points
are considered:
•At synchronous speed (Ns); slip, s = 0 and torque, T = 0.
•When rotor speed is very near to synchronous speed i.e. when the slip is very low the value
of the term (sX2)2 is very small in comparison to R22 and is neglected. Therefore, torque is
given by the expression:
•T = ksE22R2 / R22
In the above expression, all quantities are constant except slip s.
Therefore, T α s
Torque Slip Characteristics of Induction Motor

Thus, at low values of slip, torque is approximately proportional to slip s and the torque
slip characteristics of induction motor is a straight line as shown in the figure.

The region (from s = 0 to s = sm) is called the stable region of operation and operating
point of the motor should be in this region.

In the stable region, the value of slip is small. Hence this region is also called as the low slip
region.
•As the slip increases torque increases and attains its maximum value when s = R 2/X2. This maximum value of torque is also
known as break down or pull out torque.
•When a further increase in slip occurs due to increase in load beyond the point maximum torque

i.e. when slip is high, the value of term (sX2)2 is very large in comparison to R22.

Therefore, R22 is neglected as compare to (sX2)2 and torque is given by the expression:
•T = ksE22R2 / (sX2)2

or T = kE22R2 / (sX22)

In the above expression, all quantities are constant except s.

Therefore, T α 1/s

Thus at higher values of slip (i.e. the slip beyond that corresponding to maximum torque) torque is approximately
inversely proportional to slip, s and the torque slip characteristics of induction motor is rectangular hyperbola as shown
in the figure.

The region (extending from s = sm to s = 1) is called unstable region. In this region with the increase in load, slip increases
but torque decreases.

The result is that the motor could not pick up the load and slows down and eventually stops. In the unstable region, the
value of slip is large so this region is also called as the high-slip region.
 Effect of Rotor Resistance on Torque Slip
Characteristics
To see the effect of rotor resistance
on torque slip characteristics of
induction motor, consider a slip ring
induction motor in which additional
resistance in the rotor circuit can be
introduced through slip rings. The
rotor reactance at stand still
X2 remains constant.
The maximum value of the torque
developed by an induction motor is
independent of rotor resistance R2.
Therefore, the effect of change in rotor resistance is the change in slip at
which this maximum torque takes place; greater the rotor resistance, greater
the value of slip at which the maximum torque occurs since
s = R2/X2

The torque slip characteristics of induction motor (three phase) are shown in
the figure for various values or rotor resistance R 2 keeping rotor reactance
X2 constant. The maximum value of the torque can be obtained even at the start
by adding that much resistance in the rotor circuit so that R 2 becomes equal to
X2.

When R2 = X2; s = R2/X2 = 1 i.e. at start torque will be maximum.

 ADVANTAGE

The three-phase induction motors are the most

commonly used AC motors in the industry because they
have simple and rugged construction, low cost, high
efficiency, reasonably good power factor, self-starting
torque and require little maintenance. Almost more
than 90% of the mechanical power used in industry is
provided by three-phase induction motors.
 Induction Motor Working Principle

A simple circuit diagram of the squirrel cage induction motor is shown in

the figure. The stator winding can be either delta-connected or star-connected.
The stator winding is connected to the three phase supply terminals. The rotor
is represented as shown in the figure and no resistance can be inserted in the
rotor circuit.
The figure shows the simple circuit diagram of a slip ring induction motor.
The stator can be either delta-connected or star-connected. The rotor is
always star connected and any resistance can be inserted in the rotor circuit
as shown in the figure.

The external resistance is usually known as starting resistance because it

is generally inserted in rotor circuit at the start to limit the heavy rush of
current and increase the starting torque.
 Induction Motor Working Principle

When a three-phase stator winding of an induction motor is connected to the AC supply, current starts flowing in the stator conductors. Due to
this current, a rotating magnetic field of constant amplitude and a constant speed is set up in the air gap between stator and rotor.

The rotor winding is still stationary. So rotating magnetic field cuts the motionless rotor conductors and induces an EMF in the rotor winding.
Voltage induced in the rotor gives rise to rotor currents.

The direction of the rotor current is such that it will oppose the cause that produces the current (Lenz’s law). And the cause behind producing the
rotor current is the ‘relative velocity’ between the rotor and rotating magnetic field.

So the rotor current will flow in such a direction that the rotor will experience a force that accelerates it in the same direction as that of the
rotating magnetic field. At the no-load rotor rotates at slightly less speed than Ns.

The speed of the rotor (N) is always less than N s. Because as soon as N = Ns, the relative velocity between rotor and rotating magnetic field
becomes zero, and motor slows down. This happens every time when N tends to become equal to N s. Therefore, the rotor in an induction motor
cannot rotate at the synchronous speed.

When we put a load on the motor, its speed (N) decreases to produce the required torque. The reduction in speed of motor (N) will stop as soon as
torque produced by the motor is exactly equal to load torque. The stator winding of induction motors can be either delta connected or
star connected.
 Causes of Low Power Factor of Induction Motor
When a 3-phase supply is given to a 3-phase wound stator of an induction motor, a revolving
field is set up in the stator. This field (flux) is also set up in the air gap between stator and rotor.
To set up this air gap flux, induction motor draws magnetizing current from the mains which
lag behind the voltage vector by 90o.

The magnitude of this current is quite large because of a high reluctance of air gap between
stator and rotor.

The power factor of the induction motor is minimum at no load since this magnetizing current
has its dominating effect.

However, the power factor increases with the increase in load on the induction motor and is
maximum at full load. Therefore, it is advised to operate the induction motor at the full load.
 3. 3 Phase Motor Speed Control Methods
The speed of a three phase induction motor is given by,

N = Ns(1-s)

and Ns = 120f/P
This shows the speed of three phase induction motor depends
upon synchronous speed (Ns) and slip(s). The
synchronous speed of induction motor depends upon supply
frequency and the number of stator poles.

So by changing the supply frequency, the number of stator

poles and slip we can change the speed of 3 phase induction
motor. Therefore, speed control of 3 phase induction
motor can be achieved by following methods:
 Stator frequency — 3 phase motor speed control methods

The synchronous speed can be changed by changing the stator supply frequency (f). But
only change in supply frequency, keeping supply voltage constant has an adverse effect on
the air gap flux. Because air gap flux is proportional to the ratio of supply voltage and
supply frequency.
Hence the ratio of supply voltage and supply frequency is kept constant by changing the
stator voltage and frequency simultaneously. This is necessary to keep the air gap flux
constant. So this method is also known as constant (V/f) control.
In this 3 phase motor speed control method, the AC input of constant voltage and constant
frequency is given to a rectifier which converts AC into DC. The output of the rectifier is
filtered by a capacitor bank and given to an inverter circuit. The inverter converts the DC
voltage into a 3 phase variable voltage variable frequency supply.
This supply is applied to the stator winding of the motor. Thus we get the
constant V/f speed control of induction motor.

In this method, air gap flux remains constant. Therefore smooth speed
control can be obtained. By this method, it is possible to get maximum
torque at all speeds.

Because of large capital outlay, this system is justified only for drives
wherein the rugged, maintenance-free characteristics of the induction
motor are essential. Otherwise, a DC motor with converter control is the
logical and cheap alternative.
 Stator voltage — 3 phase motor speed control methods
In this 3 phase motor speed control method, only stator voltage is varied to vary the speed of
the motor, the stator frequency is kept constant. We can vary the motor speed by varying the
stator voltage. With the increase in stator voltage, the motor speed will increase.
In this speed control method of 3 phase induction motor when the stator voltage is reduced, the
air gap flux and the motor torque both will reduce. The speed control is obtained at the cost of
reduction of motor torque.
In this method, very low starting torque is produced. Therefore, this type of control is not
suitable for constant torque loads. This type of control is preferred in the applications such as
fans, centrifugal pumps and blowers where low starting torque is required. This method is
only applicable for small motors and for fan type loads where the load torque
increases with the speed. The motor tends to get overheated with other loads. It
is a commonly used method for ceiling fans driven by single-phase induction
motors which have large standstill impedance limiting the current drawn by the
motor.
 Stator pole — 3 phase motor speed control methods

By means of a suitable switch, the stator connection may be changed in such

a manner that the number of stator poles is changed. This changes the actual
speed of motor since the actual speed of the motor is approximately inversely
proportional to the number of poles.

By suitable connections, one winding can give two different speeds. If more
than two speeds are required, two separate windings are placed in the same
slot. Now each winding can give two speeds and two windings can give four
different speeds. In a slpring motor, it is necessary to change the rotor poles
accordingly. Therefore it is difficult to apply this method to a slipring
motor.
 Rotor resistance control
As the name indicates, this 3 phase motor speed control method is only applicable to the slip-ring induction motor
.

As we know that sub-synchronous speed (speeds below synchronous speed) control of the slip-ring induction is
possible by introducing a variable resistance in the rotor circuit of the motor. This method is based upon the
general principle that the induction motor slip increases (i.e. speed decreases) as more power loss occurs on the
rotor circuit.
This method provides a wide range of speed and good starting torque. The maximum torque in this case remains
constant. Good regulation of speed can be achieved for both constant-torque and fan-type loads.

The conventional method of rotor resistance control demands simultaneous and precise variation of all the three
balanced resistors in each phase. Often this is difficult to achieve.

To overcome this problem, a high-frequency thyristor chopper which enables external resistance to be varied
simultaneously and sleeplessly is employed.
Figure shows a circuit in which the rotor slip power is rectified in a three-phase bridge
rectifier and fed through a filtering choke to an external resistance.

The thyristor (shown by the switch symbol in Figure) in the chopper connected across the
resistor is switched on and off at a high frequency. The ratio of on-time to off-time determines
the effective value of rotor circuit resistance and thus controls the motor speed by changing its
speed-torque characteristics.

The greatest drawback of this method is its poor efficiency due to power wasted in the
external rotor resistance. Therefore, this method is adopted for a narrow speed range
and usually for a short time duration.

Rather than wasting the slip energy in external rotor resistance, it can be feedback to supply to
increase the efficiency of this speed control scheme. This is achieved by using a converter and
inverter in the rotor circuit as shown in Figure.
By feeding the electric power into the rotor circuit (negative rotor power loss), super
synchronous speed operation (i.e. speeds above synchronous speed) becomes possible.
 Speed Control of Induction Motor by Cascade Method
In this method, two machines are mechanically coupled. Mostly both motors are of the
slipring type. In this case, supply is connected to the stator of one of the induction motors and
induced EMF of the rotor is fed to the stator of another motor.
If P1 and P2 are the numbers of poles of the two machines and f is the supply frequency, then
the set can give following different speeds:
•When machine 1 works alone,
the synchronous speed = 120f/P1
•When machine 2 works alone,
the synchronous speed = 120f/P2
•When machine 1 and 2 is running so that the torque of the two motors is in the same
direction,
the synchronous speed of the set = 120f/(P1 + P2).
•When machine 1 and 2 is running so that the torque of the two motors is in opposite
direction,