EXERCISE 1

AC SINGLE PHASE 2 POLE SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR

1.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. To study the basic construction of AC single phase, 2 poles synchronous
motor
2. To study the concept of synchronisation
3. To conduct the variable excitation test on a single phase 2 pole
synchronous motor during no-load and loaded conditions

2.0 CONTENT

2.1 THEORY
The single-phase synchronous motor has a field which is supplied from a DC
source and an armature is supplied from an AC source as shown in Figure 2.1. It
is usual, as in this assembly, to have a rotating field and stationary armature,
although this arrangement can be reversed.

Synchronous motors are not self starting and the method used to bring them to
running speed depends on the size of the motor. To avoid using a separate drive
machine, some motors have a low resistance squirrel cage winding embedded in
the rotor poles and are brought up to near synchronous speed as an induction
motor. Smaller motors may spin by hand to a speed above synchronism and will
pull into step as the shaft speed fails.

Figure 2.1 : AC Single Phase Synchronous Motor Circuit Diagram

2.2 EQUIPMENT LIST

1. 1 × base unit of dissectible machine
2. 2 × L1 coils
3. 1 × 12-slot Wound Stator
4. 1 × rotor hub

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 5. 4 × rotor poles
6. 1 × commutator/slip ring
7. 2 × brushes and brush holders
8. 1 × Flexible coupling
9. 2 × joint connector
10. 1 × variable speed motor : 1/3 hp, 1200 rev/min
11. 1 × AC supply : 135 V, 5 A single phase
12. 1 × DC supply : 0 – 20 V, 5 A
13. 1 × 0 – 200 V AC Voltmeter
14. 1 × 0 – 5 A AC Ammeter
15. 1 × 0 – 50 V DC Voltmeter
16. 1 × 0 – 5 A DC Ammeter
17. 1 × Friction (Prony) brake : 0 – 1 Nm at 1500 rpm

2.3 ACTIVITIES

Motor Assembling
1. Mount the wound stator in the frame ring, fixing it in position with three 1
3/8 inch long cap head screws in the 12, 4 and 8 o’clock position, with coil
no.1 at the top.
2. Assemble the two-pole rotor as shown in the wiring diagram in Figure 2.2.
3. Place two L1 coils round the rotor hub and fasten poles B, C and D to it,
using the three 1 inch long cap head screws and arrange the coils so that
two coils sides are held in the space between poles B and C.
4. Insert the shaft through the hub to bring the non-drive end on the same
side as coil terminals.
5. Insert pole A and clamp the rotor to the shaft by the 1 ¾ inch long cap
head screw which engages with the threaded hole in the shaft.
6. Slide the commutator/slipring over the shaft and tighten the set screw
which holds the sliprings to the shaft – the final position can be adjusted
when the rotor is mounted in its bearings. Join one coil lead to each
slipring via a commutator segment as given in Figure 2.3.
7. The rotor shaft may now be fitted into the bearing housing and the
removable housing is screwed to the base plate. NOTE: Before tightening
down, check that the shaft rotates freely and move axially against the pre-
loading washer.
8. Attach the drive motor base plate to that of the base unit, align the two
shafts and connect them by the flexible coupling.
9. Make the connections as shown in the wiring diagram in Figure 2.3 in
accordance with the panel connections as shown in Figure 2.4.

2.3.1 Activity 1 (Synchronisation)

The operating speed “n” of a synchronous motor is dependent on supply
frequency “f” and the number of poles “p” as given by following formula:

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 120 𝑓
𝑛=
𝑝

For example, in the 2-pole assembly, p = 2, and f = 50 Hz

Therefore,
120 × 50
𝑛=
2
= 3000 rpm

1. To start the motor, switch ON the drive machine, bring the shaft speed to
3000 rpm (in reverse mode), then switch ON the AC single-phase supply
to the stator windings and adjust the voltage level to 135 V.
2. Switch ON the synchronous motor rotor DC supply and adjust the current
to 2.5 A DC. The motor should pull into synchronism and run steadily at its
synchronous speed.
3. The drive machine can now be switched off, but as shaft remains coupled
to the synchronous motor, it will now be driven by it.
4. Take the reading for this no-load test and record it in the Table 3.1.

2.3.2 Activity 2 (Variable Excitation Test)

1. With no shaft load, vary the rotor excitation current from 2 A to 8 A, and observe
the variation of the AC supply current to the stator current.
2. Tabulate the result in Table 3.2.
( Precaution : Make sure that the AC current does not exceed 2 A)
3. Plot the curve IDC vs. IAC given in Figure 2.5, for the obtained observations in the
table 3.2.

2.3.3 Activity 3 (Questions)

1. Discuss plotted the shape of the curve in Figure 2.5?
2. Argument in both cases whether the motor speed varied or not up to the
point where stall occurred.
3. Write down the observed value of the pull-out torque.

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 Figure 2.2 : Rotor Wiring Diagram

Figure 2.3 : AC Single Phase Synchronous Motor Wiring Diagram

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Figure 2.4 : Connection for synchronous motor

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3.0 OBSERVATIONS

Table 3.1

Shaft Speed
Stator Rotor (50 Hz)

Volts AC Amps AC Volts DC Amps DC RPM

Table 3.2

IDC 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0
(A)
IAC
(A)

IAC
(A)

IDC
(A)

Figure 2.5

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