Three phase induction motor

Induction motor
 Introduction
• An electrical motor is such an electromechanical device
which converts electrical energy into mechanical
energy.
• The three phase induction motor is the most widely
used electrical motor. Almost 80% of the mechanical
power used by industries is provided by three phase
induction motors because of its simple and rugged
construction, low cost, good operating characteristics,
absence of commutator and good speed regulation.
• In three phase induction motor the power is
transferred from stator to rotor winding through
induction.
• This is also called asynchronous motor as it runs at a
speed other than the synchronous speed.
 Constructional details

• induction motors have two main parts namely

stator and rotor.
• Stator: This is a stationary part of induction
motor. A stator winding is placed in the stator
of induction motor and the three phase
supply is given to it.
• Rotor: This is a rotating part of induction
motor. The rotor is connected to the
mechanical load through the shaft.
 Constructional detail
The other parts, which are required to complete the
induction motor, are:
• Shaft
– for transmitting the torque to the load. This shaft is made
up of steel.
• Bearings
– for supporting the rotating shaft.
• fan
– for cooling.
• Terminal box
– For connection to supply.
• air gap
– 0.4 mm to 4 mm.
 Constructional details

Stator:
• The stator of the three phase induction motor
consists of three main parts:
– Stator frame,
– Stator core,
– Stator winding or field winding.
 Stator Frame

• It is the outer most part of the three phase induction

motor. Its main function is to support the stator core
and the field winding. It acts as a covering and it
provide protection and mechanical strength to all the
inner parts of the induction motor.
• The frame is either made up of die cast or fabricated
steel. The frame of three phase induction motor should
be very strong and rigid as the air gap length of three
phase induction motor is very small, otherwise rotor
will not remain concentric with stator, which will give
rise to unbalanced magnetic pull.
 Stator Core

• The main function of the stator core is to carry

the alternating flux. In order to reduce the eddy
current loss, the stator core is laminated. These
laminated types of structure are made up of
stamping which is about 0.4 to 0.5 mm thick. All
the stamping are stamped together to form stator
core, which is then housed in stator frame. The
stamping is generally made up of silicon steel,
which helps to reduce the hysteresis
loss occurring in motor.
 Stator Winding or Field Winding
• The slots on the periphery of stator core of the three phase
induction motor carries three phase windings. This three
phase winding is supplied by three phase AC supply.
• The three phases of the winding are connected either in
star or delta.
• The squirrel cage motor is mostly started by star-delta
starter and hence the stator of squirrel cage motor is delta
connected.
• The slip ring three phase induction motor are started by
inserting resistances so, the stator winding of slip ring
induction motor can be connected either in star or delta.
• The winding wound on the stator of three phase induction
motor is also called field winding and when this winding is
excited by three phase ac supply it produces a
rotating magnetic field.
 Constructional detail
Rotor:
• The rotor of the three phase induction motor are
further classified as-
– Squirrel cage rotor,
– Slip ring rotor or wound rotor or phase wound rotor.
• Depending upon the type of rotor used the three
phase induction motor are classified as-
– Squirrel cage induction motor
– Slip ring induction motor or wound induction motor
or phase wound induction motor
• The construction of stator for both the kind of
three phase induction motor remains the same
 Squirrel cage three phase induction motor
• The rotor of the squirrel cage three phase induction motor is
cylindrical in shape and have slots on its periphery. The slots are not
made parallel to each other but are bit skewed as the skewing
prevents magnetic locking of stator and rotor teeth and makes the
working of motor more smooth and quieter.
• The squirrel cage rotor consists of aluminum, brass or copper bars.
These aluminum, brass or copper bars are called rotor conductors
and are placed in the slots on the periphery of the rotor. The rotor
conductors are permanently shorted by the copper or aluminum
rings called the end rings.
• The squirrel cage rotor winding is made symmetrical. As the bars
are permanently shorted by end rings, the rotor resistance is very
small and it is not possible to add external resistance as the bars are
permanently shorted.
• The absence of slip ring and brushes make the construction of
Squirrel cage three phase induction motor very simple and robust
and hence widely used three phase induction motor. These motors
have the advantage of adapting any number of pole pairs.
Squirrel cage induction motor
 Squirrel cage three phase induction motor

Advantages:
• Its construction is very simple and rugged.
• As there are no brushes and slip ring, these
motors requires less maintenance.
Applications:
lathes, drilling machine, fan, blower, printing
machines, mills etc
Slip ring or wound three phase induction motor
• In this type of three phase induction motor the rotor is wound for the
same number of poles as that of stator.
• The rotor consists of numbers of slots and rotor winding are placed inside
these slots. The three end terminals are connected together to form star
connection.
• It consists of slip rings connected on same shaft as that of rotor. The three
ends of three phase windings are permanently connected to these slip
rings. The external resistance can be easily connected through the brushes
and slip rings.
• These brushes are further connected to three phase star connected
resistances. At starting, the resistance are connected in rotor circuit and is
gradually cut out as the rotor pick up its speed.
• When the motor is running the slip ring are shorted by connecting a metal
collar, which connect all slip ring together and the brushes are also
removed. This reduces wear and tear of the brushes.
• Due to presence of slip rings and brushes the rotor construction becomes
somewhat complicated therefore it is less used as compare to squirrel
cage induction motor.
Slip ring motor
Slip ring or wound three phase induction motor

Advantages:
• It has high starting torque and low starting
current.
• Possibility of adding additional resistance to
control speed.
Application:
• Slip ring induction motor are used where high
starting torque is required
– i.e in hoists, cranes, elevator etc.
 Working of Three Phase Induction Motor
Production of Rotating Magnetic Field
The stator of the motor consists of winding offset by an
electrical angle of 120°. When the primary winding or the
stator is connected to a 3 phase AC source, it establishes a
rotating magnetic field which rotates at the synchronous
speed.
EMF induction and rotor current
According to Faraday’s law an emf is induced in any circuit
is due to the rate of change of magnetic flux linkage
through the circuit. As the rotor winding in an induction
motor are either closed through an external resistance or
directly shorted by end ring, and cut the stator rotating
magnetic field, an emf is induced in the rotor conductor
and due to this emf a current flows through the rotor
conductor.
 Working of Three Phase Induction Motor
• Here the relative speed between the rotating flux and static rotor
conductor is the cause of current generation; hence as per Lenz's
law the rotor will rotate in the same direction to reduce the cause
i.e. the relative velocity.
• Thus from the working principle of three phase induction motor it
may observed that the rotor speed should not reach the
synchronous speed produced by the stator. If the speeds equals,
there would be no such relative speed, so no emf induced in the
rotor, and no current would be flowing, and therefore no torque
would be generated.
• Consequently the rotor can not reach the synchronous speed. The
difference between the stator (synchronous speed) and rotor
speeds is called the slip.
• The rotation of the magnetic field in an induction motor has the
advantage that no electrical connections need to be made to the
rotor.
 Slip, Induced EMF, Rotor Current & Its Frequency

• The rotating magnetic field produced by the stator cuts the rotor
conductor which are at rest initially, hence, emf is induced on conductor
due to electromagnetic induction.
• As the rotor conductors are shorted, current will circulate within the
conductors. Now, these current carrying conductor lies under the
magnetic field of the stator. Hence, the force will develop on the rotor
conductors. So the rotor starts rotating under the action of force.
• The direction of rotation can be determined by using Lenz’s law. The
direction of force will be in such a way that it oppose the cause by which
the emf was induced in the rotor conductor. The main cause of rotor emf
is relative speed between the rotating magnetic field and rotor.
• Therefore in order to reduce this relative speed, the rotor will rotate in the
same direction of the rotating magnetic field. The rotor will try to catch up
the speed of rotating magnetic field (Ns) but it never success to do so and
always run at a speed less than the synchronous speed.
• If the rotor catches up the speed Ns the relative speed between rotating
field and rotor will be zero and hence the no current will flow in the rotor
conductor and no force will develop in a rotor.
 Slip

• The difference between the synchronous

speed (Ns) and the actual rotor speed (Nr).

where,
Ns = Synchronous speed
Nr = Rotor speed
 Motor at standstill condition
• Standstill condition is the condition at the instant of starting at
which the rotor is at rest. At this time speed of the rotor is zero, so
the relative speed Ns- N is maximum and slip is maximum (s = 1). So
the maximum emf will be induced in rotor circuit without changing
the frequency.
• The stator winding is analogous to the primary winding of
transformer and rotor winding is analogous to the secondary
winding of the transformer.
Consider,
• V1 = Supply voltage to stator winding per phase
• I1 = Stator current per phase
• I0 = No load current per phase
• E1 = Stator emf per phase
• E2 = Rotor emf per phase at standstill condition
• R1 = Stator winding resistance per phase
• X1 = Stator leakage reactance per phase
• R2 = Rotor winding resistance per phase
• X2 = Rotor winding leakage reactance per phase
• I2 = Rotor current per phase
• N1 = No. of turns per phase in stator
• N2 = No. of turns per phase in rotor
Now,
Rotor emf per phase at standstill condition

Rotor current per phase at standstill condition,

This current I2 lags with E2 by an angle of Φ2

The torque developed by the rotor at standstill condition is

proportional to the product of stator flux per pole and active
component of I2.

Where ψ = stator flux per pole

 Motor at standstill condition

• Similar in Transformer ψ remains constant and

independent to I1 and I2 . It depends only on
E1.
 Motor at Running Condition
• When the rotor rotates, the relative speed between rotating
magnetic field and rotor will decrease, there by reducing the
rate of cutting the flux. Therefore, the magnitude of induced
emf on the rotor will decrease with compare to emf at a
standstill.
 Motor at Running Condition
• The magnitude of emf induced in the rotor at running
condition is,
ER = sE2
• As the relative speed decrease, the frequency of rotor emf
will also decrease with compare to that at standstill condition.
• The frequency of rotor is
 Motor at Running Condition

• At standstill condition s =1, but at running condition ‘s’ is less than

1. So the value of rotor leakage reactance is given by
XR = sX2
• XR is shown variable because it is changed w.r.to the speed of the
rotor. Rotor current at running condition,

• IR lags with ER by an angle ΦR

 Motor at Running Condition

• Torque developed by rotor at running

condition is,
Condition For Maximum Torque
 Conclusion

• From the above equations it is concluded that the

maximum torque is directly proportional to
square of rotor induced emf at the standstill.
• The maximum torque is inversely proportional to
rotor reactance.
• The slip at which maximum torque occur depends
upon rotor resistance, R2. So, by varying the rotor
resistance, maximum torque can be obtained at
any required slip.
Example:
A 3-phase, slip-ring, induction motor with star-connected rotor
has an induced e.m.f. of 120 volts between slip-rings at
standstill with normal voltage applied to the stator. The rotor
winding has a resistance per phase of 0.3 ohm and standstill
leakage reactance per phase of 1.5 ohm. Calculate

(i) rotor current/phase when running short-circuited with 4

percent slip and
(ii) the slip and rotor current per phase when the rotor is
developing maximum torque.
Solution;
(i) Induced emf/rotor phase;
Er = sE2 = 0.04 x 120/√3 = 2.77 V
Rotor reactance/phase;
Xr = s X2 = 0.04 x 1.5 = 0.06 Ω
Rotor impedance/phase;
Zr = R22 + sX22 = 0.32 + 0.062 = 0.306 Ω
Rotor current/phase;
Ir = 2.77 / 0.306 = 9 A

(ii) For developing max torque; R2 = sX2 ; or

s = R2/X2 = 0.3 / 1.5 = 0.2
Xr = s X2 = 0.2 x 1.5 = 0.3 Ω
Zr = R22 + sX22 = 0.32 + 0.32 = 0.42Ω
Er = sE2 = 0.2 x 120/√3 = 13.86 V
Rotor current/phase;
Ir = 13.86 / 0.42 = 33 A
 Torque Slip Characteristics of Three Phase
Induction Motor
• The torque slip curve for an induction
motor gives us the information about the
variation of torque with the slip.
• The slip is defined as the ratio of difference of
synchronous speed and actual rotor speed to the
synchronous speed of the machine.
• The variation of slip can be obtained with the
variation of speed that is when speed varies the
slip will also vary and the torque corresponding
to that speed will also vary.
 Torque Slip Characteristics of Three Phase
Induction Motor
• There are three regions of operation of
induction machine i.e. when
s<0 Generating mode
s >1 Braking mode
0<s<1 Motoring mode

S = (Ns – N)/Ns
 Motoring Mode (0 < s < 1)
• As the slip is less than 1, this means that the speed of rotor is less
than synchronous speed and the rotor is rotating in the direction of
rotating magnetic field. Also, electromagnetic torque for this region
of operation of induction motor is positive. This means that, this
region of operation, is the normal operation of machine and that
too, as Induction Motor.
• It must be noted that, when s = 0, electromagnetic torque is zero
just because the machine rotor is rotating at the synchronous speed
in the direction of rotating magnetic flux, hence the relative speed
between them is zero which causes no emf to be developed in the
rotor and hence no torque is produced.
• Also, note that, at the starting i.e. s = 1, there exists some finite
torque, this finite torque corresponds to the no load torque
requirement of the machine due to inertia of rotor and windage,
friction and bearing losses.
 Generating Mode (s < 0)
• As the name suggest, the machine should be producing
electrical power. But electrical energy can only be produced
if we supply input mechanical energy, this means in
Generating mode, we must be using prime mover to rotate
the rotor and stator is connected to constant frequency
voltage source.
• Now if the rotor is rotated at a speed more than the
synchronous speed, the slip will be negative and
electromagnetic torque will be negative which means that
electromagnetic torque is opposing the prime mover
torque. This opposition is necessary for the conversion of
mechanical energy to electrical energy.
• It shall be noted that, even though rotor is rotated a super
synchronous speed but stator is not connected to constant
voltage source then there will not be any generation action.
 Braking Mode (s > 1)
• Slip more than 1 means the rotor is revolving opposite to the direction of
rotating magnetic field; this means the electromagnetic torque will act in a
direction opposite to the direction of rotation of rotor.
But how this is achieved (s>1)?
• The practical application of s>1 is exploited in quick stopping to induction
motor by just changing any of the two phase leads.
• Suppose the rotor of induction motor is revolving in clockwise direction
which means magnetic flux is also rotating in clockwise direction.
Meanwhile we change any two phase leads. Changing the phase leads will
cause change in direction of rotation of magnetic field i.e. anticlockwise
direction. This change in direction of magnetic flux will cause
electromagnetic torque to reverse its direction but due to inertia the rotor
will continue to rotate in clockwise direction. Thus, electromagnetic
torque is anticlockwise and rotor is rotating in clockwise direction.
Therefore rotor will rotate in deceleration and will soon come to a stop.
But as soon as the motor come to a stop, the stator must be disconnected
from supply else the rotor will start rotating in anticlockwise direction.
This method of Braking is known as Plugging.
 Induction Generator
• A same induction machine can be used as an induction
motor as well as an induction generator, without any
internal modifications. Induction generators are also called
as asynchronous generators.
• In an induction motor, the rotor rotates because of slip (i.e.
relative velocity between the rotating magnetic field and
the rotor). Rotor tries to catch up the synchronously
rotating field of the stator but never succeeds.
• If rotor catches up the synchronous speed, the relative
velocity will be zero, and hence rotor will experience no
torque.

• But what if the rotor is rotating at a speed more than

synchronous speed?
 How Induction Generators Work?
• Consider, an AC supply is connected to the stator terminals of an
induction machine. Rotating magnetic field produced in the
stator pulls the rotor to run behind it (the machine is acting as a
motor).
• Now, if the rotor is accelerated to the synchronous speed by means
of a prime mover, the slip will be zero and hence the net torque will
be zero. The rotor current will become zero when the rotor is
running at synchronous speed.
• If the rotor is made to rotate at a speed more than the synchronous
speed, the slip becomes negative. A rotor current is generated in
the opposite direction, due to the rotor conductors cutting stator
magnetic field.
• This generated rotor current produces a rotating magnetic field in
the rotor which pushes (forces in opposite way) onto the stator
field. This causes a stator voltage which pushes current flowing out
of the stator winding against the applied voltage. Thus, the machine
is now working as an induction generator (asynchronous
generator).
 How Induction Generators Work?
• Induction generator is not a self-excited machine. Therefore,
when running as a generator, the machine takes reactive
power from the AC power line and supplies active power back
into the line. Reactive power is needed for producing rotating
magnetic field. The active power supplied back in the line is
proportional to slip above the synchronous speed.
Self-Excited Induction Generator / Voltage build up

• An induction machine needs reactive power for excitation,

regardless whether it is operating as a generator or a
motor.
• When an induction generator is connected to a grid, it takes
reactive power from the grid. But what if we want to use an
induction generator to supply a load without using an
external source (e.g. grid)?
• A capacitor bank can be connected across the stator
terminals to supply reactive power to the machine as well
as to the load.
• When the rotor is rotated at an enough speed, a small
voltage is generated across the stator terminals due to
residual magnetism. Due to this small generated voltage,
capacitor current is produced which provides further
reactive power for magnetization.
 Self-Excited Induction Generator

• Applications of induction generators: Induction generators

produce useful power even at varying rotor speeds. Hence,
they are suitable in wind turbines.
• Advantages: Induction or asynchronous generators are more
rugged and require no commutator and brush arrangement
(as it is needed in case of synchronous generators).
• One of the major disadvantage of induction generators is
that they take quite large amount of reactive power.
Self-Excited Induction Generator
 Power stages in induction generator

• [Power Output] = [Active Power ] – [ Power Loss In

Stator] – [ Power Loss in rotor] – [Friction Loss]
 Isolated and Grid Connected Mode

• If the power generating station is directly connected to

the load then such mode is said to be Isolated mode. It
is generally used in rural electrification (Micro hydro).
• But the recent trend is to interconnect the different
power station to the transmission line Grid and to
distribute to the load which is called Grid connected
mode. It has many advantages over the isolated
system.
• It reduces reserve margin. In this mode both efficient
and non- efficient generators can be used, specially
non-efficient generator is used during peak load
condition. It is more reliable and can take care of a load
diversities and time zone differences.