Speed Control of Three Phase Induction Motor

A three phase induction motor is basically a constant speed motor so it’s

somewhat difficult to control its speed. The speed control of induction motor is
done at the cost of decrease in efficiency and low electrical power factor. Before
discussing the methods to control the speed of three phase induction motor one
should know the basic formulas of speed and torque of three phase induction
motor as the methods of speed control depends upon these formulas.
Synchronous Speed

Where, f = frequency and P is the number of poles

The speed of induction motor is given by,

Where,
N is the speed of the rotor of an induction motor,
Ns is the synchronous speed,
S is the slip.
The torque produced by three phase induction motor is given by,

When the rotor is at standstill slip, s is one.

So the equation of torque is,

Where,
E2 is the rotor emf
Ns is the synchronous speed
R2 is the rotor resistance
X2 is the rotor inductive reactance
The Speed of Induction Motor is changed from Both Stator and Rotor Side. The
speed control of three phase induction motor from stator side are further
classified as :
 V / f control or frequency control.
 Changing the number of stator poles.
 Controlling supply voltage.
 Adding rheostat in the stator circuit.
Understanding Closed-Loop Fan Speed Control
UNDERSTANDING CLOSED-LOOP FAN SPEED CONTROL By Ken W. Gay,
SMSC When implementing cooling solutions for electronic equipment, system
designers are confronted with a complex set of variables. The cooling
requirements are

Staff
OCT 07, 2008

UNDERSTANDING CLOSED-LOOP FAN SPEED CONTROL

By Ken W. Gay, SMSC

When implementing cooling solutions for electronic equipment, system designers

are confronted with a complex set of variables. The cooling requirements are
typically dynamic, and ambient temperatures can vary widely. Airflow can be
affected by different system configurations or external restrictions. Additional
variables are introduced when cooling fans are utilized, including a variation of
fan speed from fan to fan. Aging also affects fan speed, resulting in a wide range
of actual fan speeds produced by a particular fan drive setting.

Figure 1 illustrates the difference between open- and closed-loop speed control
as different fans are driven to a target speed from the OFF condition. Closed-loop
control can drive fans with a wide variety of response characteristics to the same
target speed.
The acoustic noise produced by a fan increases with fan speed, and this variation
makes it difficult to optimize cooling efficiency while minimizing acoustic noise.
Eliminating fan speed variation helps meet product performance and acoustic
requirements and provides a competitive advantage in the market.

To help reduce the challenges associated with cooling solutions, engineers can
utilize closed-loop fan speed control ICs (FSC-ICs) over open-loop fan drive ICs.
The small geometry IC fabrication processes available today make it possible to
provide a rich feature set at an economical cost.

Benefits of Closed-Loop Fan Speed Control

Many types of consumer and industrial products rely on brushless DC fans for
cooling, including desktop and notebook computers, projectors and projection
TVs and communications networking equipment. The rpm rating for a DC fan is a
typical value at full-rated voltage and under specific air-pressure conditions. The
actual fan speed will vary due to a variety of factors including:
Heater of tee is open or closed control system

A control system manages, commands, directs, or regulates the behavior of other

devices or systems using control loops. It can range from a single home heating
controller using a thermostat controlling a domestic boiler to large industrial control
systems which are used for controlling processes or machines.

The centrifugal governor is an early proportional control mechanism.

For continuously modulated control, a feedback controller is used to automatically control

a process or operation. The control system compares the value or status of the process
variable (PV) being controlled with the desired value or setpoint (SP), and applies the
difference as a control signal to bring the process variable output of the plant to the
same value as the setpoint.
For sequential and combinational logic, software logic, such as in a programmable logic
controller, is used.
.
The automatic washing machine is the example of the open loop
system. The operator manually sets the operating time of the
machine. The machine stops operating after the set time, even the
desire cleanliness of clothes are not obtained. This happens because
the machine has no feedback system which signals the control action
of the system for desired output.

The open loop system is simple, require less maintenance. Also, it is

fast in operation and very economical. But the accuracy of the system
is less, and it is less reliable.

Closed Loop Control System

The closed-loop control system means the output of the system

depends on their input. The system has one or more feedback loops
between its output and input. The closed-loop system design in such a
way that they automatically provide the desired output by comparing it
with the actual input. The closed-loop system generates the error
signal which is the difference between the input and output.

Example 1: Suppose in the above example of closed dryer we are

using the transducer which senses the dryness of the clothes and
provides the feedback signal to the controller relating to dryness. Here
the dryness is the output of the system. The sensor act as a feedback
. Contactor vs Control Relay: Difference between Contactor and
Control Relay

190

Contactors and Control relays are electrically operated switches used for switching of loads and
for controlling the electrical circuit respectively. Generally the medium of quenching of arc is
air, so they are called air break contactors & air break control relays. Since both he switches are
used in same control panel, so it is confusing for the people to understand the difference between
a contactor and control relay.

So what’s similarity between a Contactor and a Control Relay?

Contactor and Control Relay work on same principle. They are basically electrically operated
solenoid switches that are designed for the switching or control the loads. Moreover, both of
them are constructed in a similar way:

1. Both, contactor and control relay, have a top housing which have set of normally open or
normally closed contacts. The bottom housing in both cases, have a set of magnet and coil with
external cover to protect all the internal parts.

What’s the difference between a Contactor and a Control Relay?

The key difference between control relays and contactors is the rating of current that they are
designed to handle. Contactors are used for loads that have comparatively higher currents and
higher system voltages.

Here’s a brief definition of Contactor & Control Relay that will help you understand the key
difference between the two:

Control Relay: It is a device through which contacts in one circuit are operated by an alteration
in conditions in the same circuit or in associated circuits.

Contactor: It is a device which is used for repeatedly establishing and interrupting an electric
circuit under normal conditions.

Below table illustrates four major differences between a Contactor and a Relay:

Criteria Control Relay Contactor

Control Relays are

comparatively smaller or same in Contactors are larger in size
1 Size of the Device
size (upto contactor rating of when compared to Control relays
12A)

Control Relays are generally

Current Switching A Contactor would be used for
2 classified as carrying loads of
Capacity loads greater than 10A
10A or less

3 Application
Control Relay is more commonly
Contactors are typically built for
used in control circuits which are
switching 3-phase load.
single phase circuits.

A Control Relay consists of at
4 Auxiliary Contacts
least two NO/NC contacts
A Contactor consists of a
minimum one set of three phase
power contacts and in some cases
additional in built auxiliary
contacts are also provided.

Control Relays can and often are
Open/Closed Contact both Normally Open and/or
5
Standards Normally Closed depending on
the desired function.
Contactors, on the other hand,
are almost exclusively designed
to operate with normally open
(Form A) contacts.

Control Relays are usually rated Contactors are commonly rated

6 System Voltage
to only 250V for up to 1000V

Below are some other criteria that really differentiate the two devices:

Safety Features

 Spring-Loaded Contacts: Contactors are designed to carry high current, and hence contain
additional safety features like spring-loaded contacts to ensure that the circuit is broken when de-
energized – preventing the circuit from being energized when it is supposed to be off, spring
loaded contacts also prevents the contact bouncing which result in long life of contacts. Since
Control relays are designed for lower power, spring-loaded contacts are not so common.
 Arc Suppression: Due to the high loads contactors typically carry, they consist of arc
suppression to quench the arc faster. As Control relays aren’t designed for high loads, arc
suppression is not common on Control relays.

Choosing Between Contactors and Control Relays for Application

When selecting between a contactor and a Control relay; always consider some crucial points.

When to Use a Control Relay When to Use a Contactor

1 10A or less current 9A or more current

 2 1 phase 1 or 3 phase

3 Up to 250VAC Up to 1000VAC

At C&S Electric, we design and manufacture robust and versatile range of contactors and
Control relays that are designed using modern technologies to deliver complete protection and
safety with long mechanical and electric life. We offer a range of high reliability Contactors and
Control Relays including RobusTa Contactors & Overload Control Relays, Mini Contactor, D-
Range Contactors, 2 Pole & 4 Pole Contactors, exceeD Contactors, Robusta2 Contactors,
Capacitor Duty Contactors and Definite Purpose Contactors.