De Lima Chriscarl M.

ELECTRO 3

1. Site the differences between three-phase Induction and synchronous motors in terms of
construction and operation?

The three phase supply, when given to the stator windings, creates a rotating magnetic field.
Now, the rotor of an induction machine is a group of short circuited windings where the
rotating magnetic field is to act. The underlying principle is electromagnetic induction,
similar to transformers the rotor gets an induced current, that means - a current carrying
loop inside the magnetic field. This makes the rotor rotate. But, if both rotating magnetic
field and rotor rotate in the same synchronous speed, there will be no induced EMF inside
the rotor, because the field will be then constant w.r.t the rotor, and for rotation, change in
flux should be there. Thus, the rotation happens with a “slip” between the rotor and the
stator. The slip refers to the inability of the rotor to catch up with the (speed of) rotating
stator magnetic field. Thus rotor will rotate, and output is obtained, if there is slip between
the rotor and stator magnetic field. This is the principle of working of an induction machine.

Now, consider am utilizing the rotating magnetic field by making an electromagnet rotate
as a rotor, which is fed with a DC supply. In such a case, the machine will run in synchronous
speed, and this machine is called a synchronous machine. However, it is to be noted that
due to inertia of the rotor, the rotor electromagnet cannot immediately respond to the
rotating magnetic field. This means that the synchronous machine does not start by itself.
To provide the starting torque, additional winding called “damper winding” is provided in
rotor, which make the synchronous machine similar to an induction machine during starting.
As the machine starts, the rotor naturally locks up with the rotating magnetic field and
rotates in synchronous speed. This means that during normal running conditions, the
damper winding will carry no current. Similar to the rotor winding in an induction machine
at synchronous speed.

Induction machine works on the principle of electromagnetic induction, similar to the three
phase transformers. The short circuited rotor winding acts as a current carrying loop inside a
varying magnetic field, where the magnetic field varies due to the difference in the speed
between the rotor and stator magnetic field. The synchronous machine works on the
De Lima Chriscarl M. ELECTRO 3

principle on exciting the rotor using DC and making it behave as an electromagnet, so that
it is made to lock with the synchronous speed of the magnetic field.,

In construction, Synchronous motor: Stator has axial slots which consist stator winding
wound for a specific number of poles. Generally salient pole rotor is used on which rotor
winding is mounted. Rotor winding is fed with a DC supply with the help of slip rings. A
rotor with permanent magnets can also be used. Induction motor: Stator winding is similar
to that of a synchronous motor. It is wound for a specific number of poles. A squirrel cage
rotor or a wound rotor can be used. In squirrel cage rotor, the rotor bars are permanently
short-circuited with end rings. In wound rotor, windings are also permanently short-
circuited, hence no slip rings are required.

In operation, Induction motor: Stator winding is similar to that of a synchronous motor. It is

wound for a specific number of poles. A squirrel cage rotor or a wound rotor can be used. In
squirrel cage rotor, the rotor bars are permanently short-circuited with end rings. In wound
rotor, windings are also permanently short-circuited, hence no slip rings are required.
Induction motor: When the stator is fed with two or three phase AC supply, a Rotating
Magnetic Field (RMF) is produced. The relative speed between stator's rotating magnetic
field and the rotor will cause an induced current in the rotor conductors. The rotor current
gives rise to the rotor flux. According to Lenz's law, the direction of this induced current is
such that it will tend to oppose the cause of its production, i.e. relative speed between
stator's RMF and the rotor. Thus, the rotor will try to catch up with the RMF and reduce the
relative speed.