MMME2104 Design & Selection of Mining Equipment Electrical Component

Variable Voltage / Variable Frequency Induction Motor Speed Control

Lecture 6a 9 October 2003

Induction Motors: Torque/Speed Curve

Induction motors run near synchronous speed

Speed Control of Induction Motors

Recall the equation for synchronous speed: Ns = 120 f / p Therefore, to control the speed of an induction motor, we can control the frequency of the supply. Changing the frequency changes the nominal speed of the machine.

Speed Control of Induction Motors

However, we also want to keep the flux () in the machine at the design value. Recall the flux linking equation: V = 4.44 N f Clearly, is proportional to V / f. Therefore, as we vary the frequency, we must also vary the voltage in proportion. (Volts per Hertz Rule)

Speed Control of Induction Motors

The effect of VVVF speed control is to retain the shape of the torque-speed curve, but shift it along the speed axis.

Speed Control of Induction Motors

For VVVF control, because the shape of the torque-speed curve is the same at all frequencies, it follows that the torque of an induction motor is the same whenever the slip speed (rpm) is the same. Slip speed = Synchronous Speed Actual Speed

Speed Control of Induction Motors

With VVVF control, the speed range possible is from about 10% to 150% of rated speed. Below 10% of rated speed, the volts per hertz ratio has to be progressively increased to compensate for the IR drop in the stator. This is because at very low frequencies the stator resistance dominates the magnetising reactance (= 2 f L). Above rated the speed is limited by centrifugal forces on the rotor.

Speed Control of Induction Motors

To implement VVVF control we need a VVVF AC supply A supply of this nature is realised with power electronics