SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS Q.1. What do you mean by synchronous speed of a 3-phase induction motor ? Ans. The speed at which the flux produced by 3-phase stator windit Q.2. Why is the field producing winding of a 3-phase induction motor made stationary? Ans. A 3-phase induction motor has two winding Q.3. Why does the rotor ofa 3-phase induction motor rotate in the same direction as the roi Ans. When three-phase stator winding is fed from 3-phase supply, ings of induction MOtOr roa, is called the synchronous speed of the motor. It is given by : N, = 120f P where N, /; = synchronous speed in r.p.m, J = supply frequency in Hz P = number of poles 8 viz. stator winding supported bby the station, part of the machine and the rotor winding placed on the rotor. So far as the basic operationt the motor is concerned, it makes no difference which winding is located on the stator. Te machine will function equally well with field Producing winding as either the stationary Totating element. Making the field winding stationary element eliminates the use of slip ing and brushes and, therefore, will result in a very trouble-free construction. field? a a rotating magnetic field # up which cuts the rotor conductors. Since the rotor circuit is closed, currents start lowilt® the rotor conductors. Now, rotor conductors are carrying currents and are in the magi field. Therefore, mechanical force acts on the rotor, tending to move it in the same direc as the stator field. The fact that the rotor is urged to follow the stator field (ie, rotor mi in the direction of stator field) can be explained by Lenz’s law, According to Lenz's av direction of rotor currents will be such so as to oppose the cause producing them. NowF pnase Induction Motorg cause producing the, TOLOr currents ji re qotot. Hence toredice this mon relative, bet ationaty | sqatot field and tries to cu ‘eed, the roorua ag ee as the of He induction ‘motor run fi explait inQ. a wreck the soa atte Nae avin ahve ff actual practic, rotor ¢#P relative movement between the el (ke Synchronous speed). If it did, there would be nO drive the motor. Hence 3.phaye “eld and rotor conductors and, therefore, no torque +, Whyis their gap bro ae 'nduction motor can never run at synchronous speed. possible? ‘10r and stator ofa 3-phase induction motor kept as short a8 The air gap between the am possible in order that: "O10" and stator of a 3-phase induction motor is made as small a8 () mutual fux may be © making the air-gap between stator and rotor ‘very small w using Partially closed stator and rotor slots, Q7. ee anit ae ina 3-phase induction motor’? spas, Tho rate at Wik lux cuts the rotor conductors is directly proportional to the difference besween the speed of rotting ld (Nand that ofthe rotor (1). Ifthe rlor speed were 0 ‘become equal to the speed of the rotating field, there would be no generated e.m.f. (and hence current) inthe rotor conductors. Consequently there would be no motor action. Thus ts the slip of the rotor (N, ~N) rp.m. which causes e.m.f's to be generated and currents to flow in therotor conductors. This is precisely the principle of operation of 3-phase induction motor. Q.8 What is the difference between squirrel cage rotor and wound rotor ? ‘Ans, Essentially, there is little difference between the squirrel cage and wound rotors. The object of the latter is merely to bring out the ends of polyphase rotor winding to slip rings in order that additional external resistance may be connected in series to improve the starting torque. 9 What is the origin of the name squirrel cage rotor ? ‘Ans, When this type of rotor first appeared, the common squirrel was a frequent house pet, The usual cage that housed him contained a rotating wheel thatthe animal could enter. This wheel afforded exercise and amusement to the pet. Since the rotor resembled squirrel’s exercise cage, it was named squirrel cage rotor. Q.10, Why is the power factor of a 3-phase induction motor low at no-load ? ‘Ans, Because of air-gap, the reluctance of the magnetic circuit of 3-phase induction motor is very high, Consequently, the curentdravmby the motor onno loads largely magnetising current; the no load current lagging the applied voltage by a large angle. For this reason, the p.f. ofa lightly loaded 3-phase induction motor is very low. Q.11, Why isthe power factor ofa fully loaded 3-phase induction motor not very high ? ‘Ans. A.3.phase induction motor draws large magnetising curent because of high reluctance of the magnetic circuit i-gap being the main reason. As load is added, the active component i resulting in higher power factor. However,because of the large value of sng ‘which is present regardless of load, the p.f of 3:phase induction motor Prenat fullioad seldom exceeds 085.ma 444 Principles of Electrical Machines oe ee Mit advantages of skewed slots in the rotor of a squirrel cage motor ? ere ue to use the rotor of a squirrel cage motor with skewed slots 4e,. slots tha lel to the shaft axis, This arrangement offers the following advantages ; Ol Teduces motor noise and vibration. (Gd) Tt increases the starting torque and reduces the starting current. 8 (iti) Tt increases the rotor resistance due to increased length of rotor bars. . 13. How will you design the rotor of a squirrel cage motor to have high starting torque ? Ans, When a high starting torque is required, a squirrel cage machine with specially designed rotor oan be used without much sacrifice of efficiency but with some reduction of rated output, This can be achieved by either of the following two ways : (© The rotor bars can be made very deep so that owing to skin effect, their resistance will be high at starting when the rotor frequency is equal to the supply frequency. (ii) By using double squirrel cage rotor. Q.14.. Why is the maximum torque of a squirrel cage induction motor called pull-out torque ? Ans, The maximum torque of a squirrel cage induction motor is also called pull-out torque because of the way the motor reacts to an overload. After the maximum torque point (which is three to four times the full-load torque), the decrease in rotor p.f: is greater than the increase in rotor current resulting in a decreasing torque and the motor quickly comes to stop. It is generally experienced that a lathe will stall on a heavy cut. The machine will slow down as its cutting load is increased until suddenly it will stall and hum or growl loudly. This condition will persist until the load is removed or a fuse blows. Q.15. When will rotor resistance dominate rotor reactance and vice-versa ? ‘Ans. (i): When a 3-phase induction motor is in normal operation, the rotor frequency (/'= sf where fis the supply frequency) is low and so is the rotor reactance. The current that flows is then largely limited by rotor resistance rather than reactance. (if) When the rotor is stationary (ie,, at standstill), s = 1. This means that rotor sees the full- line frequency (i.e., ” = /) and its reactance is dominant compared to its resistance.