Speed Control of a Three-Phase

Asynchronous Motor
EPE 17

Manual with solutions for teachers

SH5007-3E
2nd. edition
Author: Dr. Klaus Löhn

Lehr- und Messgeräte GmbH

Lucas-Nülle

Siemensstraße 2 • D-50170 Kerpen

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Contents

Introduction..................................................................................................................1
Operating.....................................................................................................................2
Set-up and wiring diagram...........................................................................................3
Instruments/components required...............................................................................4
Machine characteristics.............................................................................................. 5
Timing diagrams........................................................................................................ 13
Control characteristics and distortion ........................................................................ 19
 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Introduction

A three-phase asynchronous motor with a squirrel-cage rotor is almost maintenance-free

since there is no sliding-action contact to the rotating shaft. The driving is achieved by a
rotating exciter field that forces the rotor to rotate with a defined amount of slip. The slip thus
determines the actual speed.
An asynchronous motor with a squirrel-cage rotor has three windings in the stator. These
windings can be configured in a delta or star circuit. For technical reasons, a star circuit is
preferred, which again presents two alternatives:

(a) Star point connected to the. (b) No connection to the neutral point
system neutral N
Compare both methods of operating
Method (a) produces a simple curve shape at the cost of a fourth line to the machine.
Transient currents flow in the star connection but the neutral point on the machine is at a
constant potential (N).
In method (b) only a 3-core cable to the motor is necessary, but the time-dependent
variables are more complex. During the voltage periods (0...360°), the star point (neutral) on
the motor assumes various values of voltage that complicates the definition of the timing
diagram.

Danger!
In all exercises that use mains voltage, dangerously high voltages are present. Therefore,
use safety leads only and ensure that there are no short-circuits.
Check the wiring of the user modules before applying any voltage.
If possible, use a robust analog ammeter in the current circuit.
As protection from rotating machine parts, always fit shaft-end and coupling guards.

EPE 17 INTRODUCTION 1
 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Operation

Connect the drive according to the diagram given on P. 3 and if possible, use the analog
ammeter SO5127-1L as a check instrument.
The channels of the differential amplifier SO3636-2V are assigned as follows:
Channel A Output voltage Switch setting 400 V/2.5 V
Channel B Input voltage Switch setting 400 V/2.5 V
Channel C Input current Switch setting 2·5 V/2.5 V
Channel D Output current Switch setting 2·5 V/2.5 V
The current is measured across a 0.5Ω series resistor (two 1Ω resistors connected in parallel
on the components module). Input and output currents are equal.
In the set-up diagram (Fig. 1), the motor is connected in a star circuit. Since the star (neutral)
point on the motor is not initially connected to the system neutral N, the star point can
fluctuate to any voltage.
The input voltage (phase L1) is measured with reference to N; the output voltage however, is
measured with reference to the star (neutral) point on the motor and thus shows the voltage
drop across the windings.
For other measurements, the neutral point on the motor can be connected to the system
neutral N using an additional safety lead plugged into the 0-socket of the input and output.
The amplifier is connected to the digital universal control unit, SO3636-1A.
This unit exchanges the measured data and control information with the PC via the RS 232
serial interface (the connection to the PC is not shown in Fig. 1); the switch on the digital
universal control unit should be set to ‘RS232’.
The control characteristics of the three-phase asynchronous motor are automatically
detected with the “ActiveASMA” software (SO6001-4A). The program displays various
measured variables as a function of motor speed. For this task, the motor speed is adjusted
in steps, at the load module.
All timing digram measurements are made with the software package ”PHACON” (SO6001-
1A).
The settings required in the program, are summarised in the relevant exercise.
Because of the special shape of the torque-control characteristic, measurements cannot be
made with a constant value of torque. In the case here, a special load curve is set, known as
a square-law torque characteristic, sometimes referred to as a fan characteristic (as used in
a ventilator).

2 EPE 17 OPERATING
 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Set-up and wiring diagram

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Fig. 1 Wiring diagram

In the wiring diagram shown here, the ammeter (SO5127-1L) at the top right of the diagram
is not a direct part of the configuration and is therefore not included in the parts list given
below. However, it is strongly recommended for safety reasons to use such a meter as an
additional instrument to provide a check on the current flow.

EPE 17 ASSEMBLY AND WIRING PLAN 3

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Set-up and wiring diagram

Fig. 1 Wiring diagram

EPE 17 SET-UP AND WIRING DIAGRAM

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Set-up and wiring diagram

Fig. 1 Wiring diagram

EPE 17 SET-UP AND WIRING DIAGRAM

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Instruments/components required
Qty. Description Order no.
1 Digital universal control unit (microcontroller) SO3636-1A
1 Converter components, 8 thyristors, 6 diodes, 1 triac SO3636-1F
1 Four channel differential amplifier SO3636-2V
1 Three-phase asynchronous machine, 0.3kW SE2663-1K
1 Rubber coupling sleeve SE2662-2A
1 Coupling guard SE2662-2B
1 Shaft-end guard SE2662-2C
1 Digital control unit for servo drive/servo brake SO3636-6R
1 Servo brake SE2663-6A
1 Three-phase supply 400 V/16 A SO3212-1B
1 DC power supply, 15 V/2 A SO3538-8D
1 Software package, Power electronics (GB) SO6006-1A
1 Software package, Fourier analysis and synthesis SO6006-1H
with DDE V1.0 (GB)
1 Software package, ActiveASMA asynchronous SO6006-4A
machine characteristics with servo brake V1.0 (GB)
1 RS232/485 interface module for frequency converters LM8925
and universal drive amplifier
1 PC connection lead for RS232/485 interface module LM9028
LM8925, 5m long
1 Serial interface cable LM9040
1 Connection lead (measuring amplifier - control unit) LM6120
1 Set of safety leads SO5126-1H
20 Safety connection plug 19/4mm SO5126-9X
10 Safety connection plug 19/4mm, tapped SO5129-9Z
1 Manual, EPE 17 Speed Control of a Three-phase SH5007-3E
Asynchronous Motor

4 EPE 17 INSTRUMENTS / COMPONENTS REQUIRED

 Speed Control of a Three-Phase Asynchronous Motor

Machine characteristics

Experiment objectives
On completion of this exercise, students should be able to:

• Correctly connect the drive

• Operate the drive system
• Record and interpret the machine characteristics

Exercise
• Assemble the drive as in the circuit diagram
• Configure the ActiveASMA test program
• Record the more significant motor characteristics as a function of the motor speed at
given values of control angle.

Introduction
A three-phase asynchronous motor operates in the nominal range at a speed just less than
the synchronous speed, determined by the frequency of the mains supply ω∼ and the pole-
pair number p:
ω
ωN < ωs = ~ .
p

Lower speeds are produced by the slip of the rotor in the rotating field of the stator that re-
sults from the mains input. Since the slip is also dependent on the loading, the speed is not
only determined by the reduced operating voltage but also by the loading torque.
First, the machine characteristics are recorded. The specially developed program
“ActiveASMA” measures machine data such as voltage, current and power and the associ-
ated derived values in steps at given speeds with a predefined value of primary voltage. The
data recorded in this way may not only be displayed in a speed chart but also in terms of
other variables such as slip.
For this measurement the controller for the servo brake is set to servo-drive mode’ using the
ASMA software.

EPE 17/1 MACHINE CHARACTERISTICS 5

 Speed Control of a Three-Phase Asynchronous Motor

The primary voltage for the machine is set by means of the built in AC power controller.
Circuit layout

L1

L2
M
L3

The defined control angle is set by the “PHACON” program that is running at the same time;
the “ActiveASMA” program does not recognise a phase angle for the triggering. The primary
voltage P1 for the machine is actually the secondary voltage P2 from the PHACON program.
The supplied secondary power P2 from “ActiveASMA” is the mechanical power delivered to
the load.
The use of a star circuit instead of a delta circuit, implies some changes in angle definitions
that are described here:
In the “Three-phase” mode of 400
V
/

operation using a star circuit, for

U
300

technical reasons, the control 200

angle α in PHACON is displayed u1

30° smaller, i.e. a display of 50° 100

in the angle settings field actually 0

represents a control angle α of -100

80°. Throughout this handbook, -200

the angle displayed is given as 0° −−> α

“∆” or ‘Delta’; e.g. Control angle,
-300
0° −−> ∆
α = ∆ + 30°.
-400
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

Degrees

Also, the reference points for switch-on and switch-off angles (the zero pass of the input volt-
age) is shifted by 30° from the left hand edge of the chart. When the switch-on angle is read
from the scale of the X-axis, it must be reduced by 30° to obtain the real value of control an-
gle.
The control characteristic is also given in angles that are ∆-angles reduced by 30°. When
comparing values with those in the literature, 30° must be added to the angles measured on
the control characteristics.

6 EPE 17/1 MACHINE CHARACTERISTICS

 Speed Control of a Three-Phase Asynchronous Motor

Machine characteristics: star points not connected

To set fixed control angles, in addition to “ActiveASMA” you will also
require the PHACON program set to three-phase operation via the
“Settings | Presets | Operating mode” menu items.
Using the PHACON software, set phase-control angles of ∆ = 100° - 80° - 60° - 40° ( in this
sequence) and record the resulting machine characteristics by selecting the menu “View |
Machine Chars.”. All the recorded curves can be displayed on the same chart and displayed
singly or as a family of curves by pressing the “Characteristics” button.
For the following diagram it is only necessary to select values for voltage and stator current
from the “Active ASMA“ menu item “Chart | Properties | Axes”. The X-axis is the speed by
default.
/AI
2,5 250
/V
U
40°

2,0 200
∆ = 40° U

60°
1,5 150

80°

1,0 100

I
0,5 50

100°
100°
0,0 0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
RPM

Fig.1.1 Fully-controlled three-phase AC power controller with asynchronous motor

as load, control angle ∆ = 40° - 60° - 80° - 100°, star point not connected

The nominal speed of the motor used here is 1360 rpm. Compare the starting current of the
motor (speed 0 rpm) with the nominal currents at the given values of control angle:

Control angle Nominal current IN [ A Starting current Ratio IA / IN

Delta [Degrees] ] IA [ A ]
40 0.75 2.2 2.9
60 0.55 1.5 2.7
80 0.3 0.7 2.3

EPE 17/1 MACHINE CHARACTERISTICS 7

 Speed Control of a Three-Phase Asynchronous Motor

Without making any new measurements, display the torque characteristic in Fig. 1.2. In the
diagram, draw a load characteristic to describe the expression:
M = M N ⋅ ( nn ) 2

Use the parameters : nN = 1360 rpm, MN = 2.3 Nm.

FAN

RPM
Fig.1.2 Fully-controlled three-phase AC power controller with asynchronous motor as load, star point not con-
nected. Fan characteristic as load (in the Teachers’ section here, several curves are shown).
The curve drawn is typical of a fan characteristic. Mark the intersection points of the fan
characteristic with the lines of constant torque. The result is, points on the control character-
istic for a fan as mechanical load on the controlled asynchronous motor.
The nominal speed of the motor used here is 1360 rpm. Compare the maximum pull-out
torque with the nominal torque:
Control angle Nominal torque M [ N Pull-out torque Ratio M / M
K N

Delta [Degrees] Nm ] M [ Nm ]
K

40 1.5 2.6 1.7

60 0.8 1.25 1.6

80 0.22 0.27 1.1

According to standard specifications, the pull-out torque M should be > 1.5 ... 1.6 M , to
k N

avoid instability due to transient changes in the load.

8 EPE 17/1 MACHINE CHARACTERISTICS

 Speed Control of a Three-Phase Asynchronous Motor

Without making any new measurements, set the X-axis to ‘Slip’ and in Fig. 1.3 with ∆ = 40°,
show the variables Efficiency (Eta), Active power (P1), Mechanical power (P2) and Power
factor (cos ϕ).
100 so1,0 1000 1000
/%at c /W
1P /W
2P
E 90 0,9 900 900 cos

80 0,8 800 800

70 0,7 700 700 Eta P1
60 0,6 600 600
50 0,5 500 500 ∆ = 40°

40 0,4 400 400

30 0,3 300 300
P2
20 0,2 200 200
10 0,1 100 100
0 0,0 0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
s/%
Fig. 1.3 Fully-controlled three-phase AC power controller with asynchronous motor as load, ∆ = 40° , star point not
connected. Input and output power, efficiency and power factor.

At what value of slip is the machine used here at its maximum efficiency ?
Maximum efficiency at a slip of approximately 10%.

What is the value of slip at maximum mechanical power?

Maximum power of motor at 22% slip .

How does the power factor (cos ϕ) respond to the slip?

Above 10% slip, the power factor is almost constant

What is the power loss when the motor is stationary?

The slip when stationary is 100%, the power loss is thus 900 W.

Now connect the star point of the motor to the neutral of the mains (N) (it is easiest to simply
use a cable to connect the ground sockets of channels A and B).

EPE 17/1 MACHINE CHARACTERISTICS 9

 Speed Control of a Three-Phase Asynchronous Motor

Machine characteristics: star point connected

Make another set of measurements with ‘ActiveASMA’ using
‘PHACON‘ to set the following angles in sequence (∆ = 100° - 80° -
60° - 40°): Reset the X-axis to ‘Speed’ and set the torque M and mechanical power P2 to
display the following diagram:
W400 m 4,0
/2 N
/
P M
350 3,5
∆ = 40° P2
300 3,0 M
250 2,5
60°
200 2,0

150 1,5
80°
100 1,0

50 0,5
100°
0 0,0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
RPM

Fig. 1.4 Torque M and power output P2 for asynchronous motor (star points connected).

Use the same measurements for the individual angles ∆ (e.g. 40°) to obtain a graph of input
power, power factor and efficiency as functions of slip (instead of speed).
%/a100 so1,0
c /W
1500
/W
1500
tE 1P 2P
90 0,9 1350 1350 cos
80 0,8 1200 1200
70 0,7 1050 1050 Eta P1
60 0,6 900 900
50 0,5 750 750
40 0,4 600 600 ∆ = 40°

30 0,3 450 450

20 0,2 300 300 P2
10 0,1 150 150
0 0,0 0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
s/%
FIg. 1.5 Power data for asynchronous motor (star point connected) at ∆ = 40°.

10 EPE 17/1 MACHINE CHARACTERISTICS

 Speed Control of a Three-Phase Asynchronous Motor

ActiveASMA SETTINGS
The machine characteristics are dis-
played via the “View” menu in ASMA.

The signals to be dis-

played and their scaling
on the X and Y axes,
are selected via the
“Chart | Properties” win-
dow of the “Axes” menu.
The following can also
be altered:
Font, Markings, Grid
style, and Zero lines.
Grid and axes are
matched with the “Scal-
ing” menu item.

The preset input values given in “Settings | Presets”, ‘Machine‘ or ‘Measurement

range’ should not be altered.

EPE 17/1 MACHINE CHARACTERISTICS 11

 Speed Control of a Three-Phase Asynchronous Motor

12 EPE 17/1 MACHINE CHARACTERISTICS

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Timing diagrams

Experiment objectives
On completion of this exercise, students should be able to:

• Correctly connect the drive

• Operate the drive system
• Record and interpret timing diagrams (“Time charts”)

Exercises
• Assemble the drive as in the circuit diagram
• Configure the PC test program

Introduction
When the motor’s star point is connected to the system neutral (N),
the three-phase asynchronous motor functions act as a combination
of three, single-phase motors with a phase shift of 120° and 240°
between the phases. The phase-control response for each phase is
equivalent to an inductive-resistive load on a simple AC power con-
troller.

When the motor’s star point is not connected, the voltage difference
between two phases (e.g. L1 and L2) measured across two series
phases determines the phase voltage for the stator. The third phase
of the motor is left open. The phase shift betweeen the phase volt-
ages and currents is illustrated along with the trigger times for the
switches in Fig. 2.4. It can there be seen that the phase current in L1 consists of two compo-
nents, the first of which flows via the phase at L3 and the second of which flows through L2.
In terms of the switching, these two components are 60° apart
Depending on the combination of load and control angle and depending on the length of an
individual pulse, it is possible for the current to have one or two peaks that may in extreme
cases become completely separated. In such a case, it is necessary to apply a another con-
trol pulse, shifted by 60°; otherwise there would be no path for the current to reach the op-
posing phase.
Therefore as an example, in this exercise a timing diagram will first be recorded when the
neutral N is connected, then two variations of the timing diagram for an unconnected star

EPE 17/2 TIMING DIAGRAMS 13

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

point as well as an example of the time response of the voltage at the motor’s star point will
be measured. Triggering of the phases of the power converter is always achieved using two
control pulses separated by 60°.

The servo brake for these measurements, is set to “Fan characteristic”.

Here, the relationship between torque and speed is given by the following expression.

M = M N ⋅ ( nn ) 2

The gradient of the characteristic should be set (by modifying the number at line 0940 of the
code via the LCD operating module) to a preset torque (2.3 Nm) at a nominal (1360 rpm) for
∆ = 10° as specified in the instruction manual for the servo brake.

Timing diagrams
Connect the motor star point to the system neutral, N.
From the PHACON program “Settings | Presets” menu select the
item “Operating mode”, set the mode to “Three-phase” then select
the “View | Timing diagram”,
Adjust the control angle to 80° ( ∆ = 50° ) and start the measurement.
The signals to be displayed are selected via the menu “Chart | Signals”: RMS value of input
and output voltages and the input current (= output current). Comment on the curve dis-
played
/AI 4 /V400
U
3 300

u1 ∆ = 50°
2 200

u2
1 100

i1
0 0

-1 -100

-2 -200

-3 -300

−−> ∆
-4 -400
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360
Grad
Degrees

Fig. 2.1 Fully-controlled AC power controller with universal motor as load, Fan characteristic, star point con-
nected, control angle 80° (= ∆ + 30°).

14 EPE 17/2 TIMING DIAGRAMS

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Determine the switch-on and switch-off angles of the triac (or thyristor), measured from
where the primary voltage crosses zero:
Switch-on angle: 80° Switch-off angle: 15° (+180° = 195°)
What determines the switch-on angle?
The selected angle of control
What type of load does the universal motor represent?
The universal motor represents an inductive-resistive load

Remove the connection to the star point. Retain all other settings
and complete a new measurement. In your interpretation of the
chart, note that the output voltage u2 is measured with respect to
the moor’s star point. The steps in u2 reflect the steps in the voltage
at the star point of the motor that themselves arise from the alter-
nate switching of phases L2 and L3 by the AC power controller.

AI/ 4 V/ 400
U
3 300

u1 ∆ = 50°
2 200

1 100
u2

0 0

i1
-1 -100

-2 -200

-3 -300

−−> ∆
-4 -400
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360
Grad
Degrees

Fig.2.2 Fully-controlled AC power controller with universal motor as load, Fan characteristic,
star point not connected, control angle 80° (= ∆ + 30°). U1: voltage at motor star point

Determine the switch-on and switch-off angles of the three-phase converter

Switch-on angle: 80° Switch-off angle: 30° (+180° = 210°)

EPE 17/2 TIMING DIAGRAMS 15

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

What determines the switch-off angle?

Where the current waveform passes through zero

The current waveform with its two peaks is caused by compensating currents in phases L2
and L3 being conveyed via the controller’s switching element. As long as the minimum be-
tween the two peaks does not go down below zero, thyristor L1 continues to conduct when
the second of the two peaks arrives since the current then rises again.
If the current pulses become shorter, though, as they do at larger phase angles, the thyristor
for L1 will turn off and the second peak then forms a second trigger 60° after the first one.

Change the control angle to 120° ( ∆ = 90° ).

/AI 4 /V400
U
3 300

u1 ∆ = 90°
2 200

1 100
u2

0 0

i1
-1 -100

-2 -200

-3 -300

−−> ∆
-4 -400
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360
Grad
Degrees

Fig. 2.3 Fully-controlled a.c. power controller with universal motor as load, Fan characteristic, Control angle 120°.

16 EPE 17/2 TIMING DIAGRAMS

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

The diagram below, shows timing diagrams for the current and voltage curves of all three
phase lines. In each chart, draw the position of the ignition pulses.

Degrees

Fig. 2.4: Waveforms of the phase line voltages and currents of the universal motor, Fan characteristic as me-
chanical load, Control angle 90°.

PHACON SETTINGS
The timing diagrams are displayed in
PHACON via the “View” menu.
Select “Display measurements“ with
the parameters given in the next
section.

Under “Chart | Signals...” output vol-

tage U2, output current I2, power
output P2 and reactive power output
Q2 should be displayed with respect
to the control angle α.
Scale the X and Y axes using the
„Axis parameters“ option as in the
illustration alongside.

EPE 17/2 TIMING DIAGRAMS 17

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Make sure to set the

right measuring ran-
ges under “Settings |
Presets‘.
Operating mode
should be
“Three-phase”.
The “Control charac-
teristic” setting is not
relevant for this exer-
cise.

18 EPE 17/2 TIMING DIAGRAMS

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Control characteristics and distortive power

Experimental objectives
On completion of this exercise, students should be able to:

• Operate the drive system

• Record and interpret the control characteristics and frequency functions

Exercise
• Assemble the drive as in the circuit diagram
• Configure the PC measurement program
• Record the control characteristics.
• Record the distortive reactive power and conduct a Fourier analysis.

Introduction
The control characteristics of the asynchronous motor depend mainly on the slip and thus, on
the load characteric. A typical load characteristic for asynchronous motors is that of a fan
(square-law), the mathematical formulation for which was explained in the section dealing
with machine characteristics.

In addition to recording the output voltage from the three-phase power controller as a
function of the control angle, the torque and power characteristics can also be recorded, in
particular the distortive power that is largest around the middle of the range of control.

The control characteristics for operation with and without the neutral point connected (motor
star point and system neutral, N) are different and also show different distortive power
maxima. To complete the situation, Fourier analysis is applied to the three-phase power
controller input current as a general comparison for both modes of operating.

EPE 17/3 CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTORTIVE POWER 19

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Control characteristics: star point connected

Connect the star point of the motor to the system’s neutral point (N),
using a safety lead.
Select the RMS value of output voltage from the PHACON program menu "Chart | Signals".
Click on "Settings | Record Control Chars" and start the measurements.
During the measurement, note the value of the angle ∆, at which the motor comes to a stop.

Fig. 3.1 Control characteristic of asynchronous motor, star point connected, Fan characteristic as load: output
voltage

Between which control angles α is the control characteristic, as plotted in Fig. 3.1, active with
the given fan characteristic as the load?
Start of control characteristic, at α = 40°. End of control characteristic, at α = 180°.
If possible, compare the control characteristic with that of the universal motor studied in
EPE 16.

20 EPE 17/3 CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTORTIVE POWER

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Without making a new measurement, plot the curves of consumed active power (P1) and
consumed distortive power (Qd1), on the same chart as the voltage.

Fig.3.2 Control characteristic of asynchronous motor, star point connected, Fan characteristic as load: active
power output P1 and distortive power Qd1.

At which control angle α does the three-phase power controller circuit develop the maximum
distortion in the given configuration (star point connected, fan characteristic)?
The maximum distortion occurs at a control angle of α = 110°

What is the amplitude of active power and distortive power, at this control angle?
Distortive power at this angle is about 410 Var, active power is 310 W
At what control angle α does the active power reduce to zero?
Active power reduces to zero at α = 150° ,(∆= 120°).

What is the motor voltage at this control angle?

Motor voltage = 40 V.
During the measurements, what angle is shown when the motor comes to a stop?
Motor stops at ∆= 115°

EPE 17/3 CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTORTIVE POWER 21

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Control characteristics : star point not connected

• Remove the connection between the motor star point and
the system’s neutral (N).
• Select the RMS value of output voltage from the PHACON program menu "Chart |
Signals".
Click on "Settings | Record Control Chars" and start the measurements.
• During the measurement, note the value of the angle ∆, at which the motor comes to
a stop.

Fig. 3.3 Control characteristic of asynchronous motor, star point not connected, Fan characteristic as load: output
voltage

Between which control angles α is the control characteristic active with the given Fan
characteristic as its load?
Start of control characteristic at α = 40° . End of control characteristic at α = 180° .
Compare these values with those for the control characteristic with the star point connected.

If possible, compare the control characteristic with that of the universal motor studied in
EPE 16.

22 EPE 17/3 CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTORTIVE POWER

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Without making a new measurement, plot the curves of consumed active power (P1) and
consumed distortive power (Qd1) on the same graph as the voltage.

Fig. 3.4 Control characteristic of the asynchronous motor, star point not connected ,Fan characteristic as load:
consumed active power P1 and distortive power Qd1.

At which control angle α does the three-phase power controller circuit, in the given
configuration (star point not connected, fan characteristic), develop the maximum distortion?
The maximum distortion occurs at a control angle of α = 110°

What is the amplitude of active power and distortive power at this control angle?
Distortive power = 410 Var (approx.) with an active power of 310 W.
At what control angle α does the active power reduce to zero?
Active power reduces to zero at α = 150° , ( ∆ = 120°) .
What is the motor voltage at this control angle?
Motor voltage = 40 V.
During the measurements, what angle is shown when the motor comes to a stop?
Motor stops at at ∆ = 115°

EPE 17/3 CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTORTIVE POWER 23

 Speed Control of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor

Deactivate the selection of "Settings | Record Control Chars" and in

PHACON, record the time chart for the value ∆ = 70°. Set the
PHACON to "Vector Chart " and display the power vectors diagram.
State rounded values of active power, fundamental reactive power
and distortive power:

Active power, P = 200 W ,

Fundamental reactive power, Q1 = 600 Var ,
Distortive power, Qd = 250 Var.

Fig. 3.5 Asynchronous motor with star point disconnected and

Fan characteristic load: Vector diagram for a phase angle of
∆ = 70°.

Connect the star point of the motor back to the neutral of the
mains (N) and perform the same measurements again and
displaying them in the same format.
State rounded values of active power, fundamental reactive
power and distortive power:
Active power, P = 400 W,
Fundamental reactive power, Q1 = 600 Var ,
Distortive power, Qd = 400 Var.

Abb. 3.6 Asynchronous motor with star point connected and fan
characteristic load: Vector diagram for a phase angle of
∆ = 70

24 EPE 17/3 CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTORTIVE POWER

 Speed Control of a Three-Phase Asynchronous Motor

Working together with you and for you:

Your personal experience and observations can contribute to improvements to this product
and the elimination of any errors. Your comments will be of considerable importance to us in
future revisions of our manuals.

We wish to thank you for your interest and your

cooperation.

Reg.: Manual
Notes:

Date:

Copyright © 2006 LUCAS-NÜLLE GmbH. All rights reserved.

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