3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.

Tech,

Unit-IV : Three phase Induction Motors

3-phase Induction Motors - Construction Details of Cage and Wound Rotor Machines-Production of a Rotating
Magnetic Field - Principle of Operation - Rotor Emf and Rotor Frequency - Rotor Reactance, Rotor Current and Pf at
Standstill and During Operation.- Torque Equation - Expressions for Maximum Torque and Starting Torque - Torque
Slip Characteristic - Losses and Efficiency

Advantages of 3-Ph Induction Motor:

The Induction motor is an ac machine which converts AC electrical energy into mechanical
energy. The 3-Ph induction motor is commonly used ac motor for industrial/commercial applications
because of the following advantages:
i. It is cheaper in cost
ii. Its construction is simple and robust i.e mechanically strong.
iii. It has more Effiency and more reliable.
iv. It requires less maintenance and has more overload capacity.
v. Its starting (Tst) torque is more.
Construction of 3-Ph Induction Motor:
The 3-Ph induction motor mainly consists of two parts: (i) Stator (ii) Rotor
Stator: Stator is a stationary part. It is made-up of high grade steel
laminations to reduce eddy current losses. The laminations are
insulated from each other and slots are provided as shown in fig (i)
to place the 3-ph stator winding in the stator slots. The stator
winding is made of copper material and the stator winding may be
star or delta connection. Here the stator poles are created by
providing the stator slots. When the 3-ph ac supply is given to the
stator, a 3-ph alternating flux will setup in stator core and this
120 f
stator flux is running with synchronous speed ( N s = ) along with stator core.
P
Rotor: Rotor is rotating part. The rotor is in cylindrical shape and is laminated to reduce the eddy current
losses. The rotor has rotor slots to place the rotor winding. Constructionally, the rotors are classified as
two types. Those are
(i) Squirrel cage rotor (ii) Phase wound or Slip ring rotor.
Squirrel cage rotor:
The motor which is having squirrel cage rotor are called Squirrel Cage Induction Motor
((SCIM). Most of the induction motors are Squirrel Cage Induction Motor because of simple rugged
construction of rotor. The Squirrel Cage rotor consists of cylindrical laminated core with slots nearly
parallel to shaft as shown in fig called skewed. At each end of the rotor, the rotor bar conductors are
short circuited with end rings as shown in fig(2). Thus the rotor winding is permanently short circuited;
it is not possible to add any external resistance to the rotor circuit. The skewing of rotor offers the
following advantages:
(i) The reduces the magnetic locking of the stator and rotor.
(ii) It reduces the humming noise during the operation.
(iii) More torque produced i.e noise is reduced during the operation.
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

Phase wound:
The phase wound rotor is also known as Slip Ring rotor and the motor having slip ring rotor is
called Slip Ring Induction Motor ((SRIM). This type of rotor consists of three slip-rings which are
mounted on the shaft with brushes as shown in fig (3). The brushes are connected to star connected
variable resistor. The main use of brushes and slip-rings are to connect the external resistance to rotor.
The use of connecting external resistance to rotor circuit is
(i) It increases the starting torque and decreases the starting current.
(ii) It controls the speed of the motor.

Production of Rotating Magnetic Field:

When the 3-ph AC supply is given to stator, a rotating magnetic flux is developed and is rotating
with a speed of synchronous speed Ns.
Let Φm = Maximum flux, ΦR , ΦY and ΦB are fluxes due to R, Y and B phases and are given by
ΦR = Φm Sinwt, ΦY = Φm Sin(wt - 120)
ΦB = Φm Sin(wt - 240)
(i) When wt = 0o i.e
3 3
ΦR = 0, ΦY = −
m and ΦB = m
2 2
From the vector diagram (fig.a)
Resultant flux Φr =  2B + (− Y ) 2 − 2 B (− Y ) cos(60)

=  2B +  2Y + 2 B  Y cos(60)

3 3 3 3 1
= ( m )2 + (  m ) 2 + 2(  m )( m )
2 2 2 2 2
9
= m
4
3
m
=
2
Resultant flux Φr = 1.5Φm

(ii) When wt = 60o i.e

3 3
ΦR = m , ΦY = − m and ΦB = 0
2 2
From the vector diagram (fig.b)
Resultant flux Φr =  2R + (− Y ) 2 − 2 R (− Y ) cos(60)
=  2R +  2Y + 2 R  Y cos(60)
=
3 3 3 3 1
( m )2 + (  m ) 2 + 2(  m )( m )
2 2 2 2 2
9
= m
4
3
m
=
2
Resultant flux Φr = 1.5Φm
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

(iii) When wt = 120o i.e

3 3
ΦR = m , ΦY = 0 and ΦB = − m
2 2
From the vector diagram (fig.c)
Resultant flux Φr =  2R + (− B ) 2 − 2 R (− B ) cos(60)

=  2R +  2B + 2 R  B cos(60)
3 3 3 3 1
= ( m )2 + (  m ) 2 + 2(  m )( m )
2 2 2 2 2
9
= m
4
3
=m
2
Resultant flux Φr = 1.5Φm

(iv) When wt = 180o i.e

3 3
ΦR = 0 , ΦY = m and ΦB = − m
2 2
From the vector diagram (fig.d)
Resultant flux Φr =  2Y + (− B ) 2 − 2 Y (− B ) cos(60)

=  2Y +  2B + 2 Y  B cos(60)
3 3 3 3 1
= ( m )2 + (  m ) 2 + 2(  m )( m )
2 2 2 2 2
9
= m
4
3
=m
2
Resultant flux Φr = 1.5Φm
From the above analysis, it is clear that at any instant of time the resultant flux is 1.5 time the
max. flux. The direction of the rotating magnetic field in the stator core is in clockwise direction and this
magnetic field is rotating with a speed of Ns = 120f /P.

Comparison between Squirrel cage & Slip ring rotor:

Squirrel cage rotor Slip ring rotor
1. Simple and robust construction 1. Difficult in construction
2. It requires less maintenance because of
2. It requires more maintenance.
absent of brushes.
3. No possibility of connecting external 3. Additional resistance can be connected to rotor
resistance to rotor circuit because the rotor circuit to increase the starting torque and to
bars are short circuited. reduce the starting current.
4. Effiency decreases due to power losses in
4. Higher Effiency and higher power factor
additional resistance in rotor.
5. Its cost is low due to absent of brushes,
5. Its cost is more.
slip-rings etc.
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

Operating or Working principle or why the 3-ph induction motor is self starting machine:

When the 3-ph AC supply is given to stator of induction motor, a rotating magnetic field with
synchronous speed of Ns = 120f /P will setup in stator core. This rotating magnetic field cuts the
stationary rotor conductor and an emf is induced across the rotor conductors. Since the rotor conductors
forms a closed circuit, a current will passes through the rotor conductors called rotor current. Now
around the current carrying rotor conductors a magnetic field will setup in the form of concentric circles
as shown in fig.(b). The direction of the magnetic field around the rotor conductors is determined by
skew rule or right hand thumb rule.

Now, because of interaction of stator flux and flux around the current rotor conductors, the flux
is strengthens right side and weakens on left side of the rotor conductors as shown in fig. (c). This result
in movement in the rotor in anti clock wise direction.
From the above discussion it is clear that an induction motor is a self starting motor.

Slip: The Slip of the 3-Ph Induction Motor can be defined as ‘the difference between the synchronous
speed (Ns) and rotor speed (Nr) and expressed in terms of synchronous speed (Ns) ’ i.e
Synchronou s speed - Rotor speed Ns - Nr
Slip (s) = = or
Synchronou s speed Ns
120 f
Rotor speed (Nr) = Ns (1-s) rpm and Synchronous Speed (Ns) = rpm
P
Practically, at no load the value of slip(s) may be 1% to 2%. and at running, slip(s) may be 4% to 6 %.

Rotor Frequency (fr) :

At stand still or when the rotor is stationary, the frequency of the rotor current is the same as the
supply frequency (f). But when the rotor is rotating the frequency depends on the slip speed i.e if
120 f Ns P
Synchronous Speed (Ns) = and frequency (f) = ------------------- (1) also
P 120
(Ns - Nr ) P
Rotor frequency (fr) = ------------------- (2)
120
Dividing (2) by (1), we get
fr Ns - Nr f
= ➔ s= r
f Ns f
 Rotor frequency fr = sf Hz
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

Rotor resistance, reactance and emf:

The rotor resistance R2 = ρl/a, where l = length of rotor conductor, a = area of rotor conductor.
Here the rotor resistance does not depends on frequency, so the rotor resistance under running and stand
still (stationary) is same i.e R2s = R2r.
Let X2s = Rotor reactance under standstill (stationary) = 2π f L2
X2r = Rotor reactance under running = 2π fr L2
= 2π (s f) L2
= s (2π f L2)
= s X2s
Similarly the rotor emf under running is E2r = S E2s
Rotor Current and Rotor power factor:
Let R2s = Rotor resistance/ph at stationary, X2s =Rotor reactance/ph at stationary = 2πfL2
f = supply frequency E2s = Rotor emf/ph at stationary,
I2s = Rotor current/ph at stationary
R2r = R2s = Rotor resistance/ph, X2r =Rotor reactance/ph at running
E2r = Rotor emf/ph at running = SE2s, I2r = Rotor current/ph at running
Rotor reactance/ph under running is X2r = 2π (sf) L2 = SX2s where f = supply frequency

Rotor Impedance under running is Z2r = R 2s 2 + X 2 r 2 = R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2

E2r sE 2s
Rotor current/ph under running is I2r = =
Z2rR 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
R2s R 2s
Rotor power factor under running is cosϕ2r = =
Z2r R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
Similarly at stand still i.e slip (s) = 1
Rotor reactance/ph at standstill is X2s = 2π f L2 where f = supply frequency

Rotor Impedance at standstill is Z2s = R 2 s 2 + ( X 2s ) 2

E2s E 2s
Rotor current/ph at standstill is I2s = =
Z2s R 2s 2 + X 2s 2
R2s R 2s
Rotor power factor at standstill is cosϕ2 = =
Z2s R 2s 2 + X 2s 2
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

Torque developed by 3-ph Induction motor:

120 f
Let Φ = Stator flux in wbs and running with speed of Ns =
P
R2s R 2s
Cosϕ2r = Rotor power factor under running = = and
Z2r R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
E2r sE 2s
I2r = Rotor current/ph under running = =
Z2r R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
The torque of the 3-ph induction is proportional to net flux (Φ) due to interaction of the stator and rotor
fluxes, rotor current (Ir) and rotor power factor (cosϕr). i.e Torque (T)  Φ Ir cosϕr
3
Torque developed (under running) T = Φ I2r cosϕ2r where K =
2 Ns
3 sE 2s R 2s
= Φ x
2 Ns R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2 R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
3 sE 2s R 2s
= E2s [  E2s  Φ ]
2 Ns R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2

3 sE 22s R 2s
 Torque at running or Full Load Torque (Tfl) = N-m
2 Ns R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
Similarly
3 E 22s R 2s
Torque (Stand still or starting) Tst = N-m [  E2s  Φ ]
2 Ns R 2s 2 + X 2s 2

Maximum torque developed by 3-ph Induction motor:

120 f
Let Φ = Stator flux in webers and running with speed of Ns =
P
R2s R 2s
Cosϕ2r = Rotor power factor under running = = and
Z2r R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
E2r sE 2s
I2r = Rotor current/ph under running = =
Z2r R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
The torque of the 3-ph induction is proportional to net flux (Φ) due to interaction of the stator and rotor
fluxes, rotor current (Ir) and rotor power factor (cosϕr). i.e Torque (T)  Φ Ir cosϕr
3
Torque developed (under running) T = Φ I2r cosϕ2r where K =
2 Ns
3 sE 2s R 2s
= Φ x
2 Ns R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2 R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
3 sE 2s R 2s
= E2s [  E2s  Φ ]
2 Ns R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
sE 22s R 2s
 Torque at running or Full Load Torque (Tfl) = K N-m ---------- (1)
R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

To get the maximum torque, differentiate equation (1) w.r.t ‘s’ and make it to zero i.e d(Tfl)/ds = 0

d  sE22s R 2s


K =0
ds  R 2s 2 + (sX 2s)2 
 

 R2s = s X2s i.e, the torque is maximum when the standstill rotor resistance is equal to
standstill rotor reactance.
Now substituting R2s = s X2s in equation (1), we get
sE22s sX 2s s2E22s X 2s
Maximum torque Tmax = K =K
(sX 2s)2 + (sX 2s)2 2 s 2 X 2s 2
E2
 Maximum torque Tmax = K 2s N-m
X 2s
From the above equation, it is clear that the maximum torque is independent of rotor resistance
(R2), but the maximum torque is inversely proportional to standstill rotor reactance.

Important questions:
2Marks:
a). Write the advantages of SCIM over SRIM.
b). Write the differences between squirrel cage rotor and wound rotor.
c). What is skewing. What are its advantages?
d). What are the advantages of connecting the variable resistance to rotor ckt of SRIM.
e). Define slip. What is the value of slip at standstill? What is the value of slip at running?
f). Derive the expression for rotor current frequency.
g). write the equations for rotor current, power factor at (i) Standstill (ii) Running.

5Marks:
1) Explain with neat diagram the construction of 3-Ph SCIM.
2) Explain with neat diagram the construction of 3-Ph SRIM.
3) (a) Explain the operating principle of 3-Ph IM with neat diagram.
(b) Related problems on calculation of Ns, Nr, Slip, fr etc.
4) Prove, analytically, that the resultant flux produced in the stator core is 1.5 time maximum flux.
5) Derive the expression for torque developed by induction motor at starting.
6) Derive the condition for maximum torque developed. Also derive the equation for maximum torque.
7) Problems-solution related to rotor current, p.f at both standstill and running. Also Tfl/Tmax and Tst/Tmax
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

Torque developed by 3-ph Induction motor:

120 f
Let Φ = Stator flux in wbs and running with speed of Ns =
P
R2s R 2s
Cosϕ2r = Rotor power factor under running = = and
Z2r R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
E2r sE 2s
I2r = Rotor current/ph under running = =
Z2r R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
The torque of the 3-ph induction is proportional to net flux (Φ) due to interaction of the stator and rotor
fluxes, rotor current (Ir) and rotor power factor (cosϕr). i.e Torque (T)  Φ Ir cosϕr
3
Torque (under running) T = Φ I2r cosϕ2r where K =
2 Ns
3 sE 2s R 2s
= Φ x
2 Ns R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2 R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
3 sE 2s R 2s
= E2s [  E2s  Φ ]
2 Ns R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2

3 sE 22s R 2s
 Torque at running or Full Load Torque (Tfl) = N-m
2 Ns R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
Similarly
3 E 22s R 2s
Torque (Stand still or starting) Tst = N-m [  E2s  Φ ]
2 Ns R 2s 2 + X 2s 2
Maximum torque developed by 3-ph Induction motor:
120 f
Let Φ = Stator flux in wbs and running with speed of Ns =
P
R2s R 2s
Cosϕ2r = Rotor power factor under running = = and
Z2r R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
E2r sE 2s
I2r = Rotor current/ph under running = =
Z2r R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
The torque of the 3-ph induction is proportional to net flux (Φ) due to interaction of the stator and rotor
fluxes, rotor current (Ir) and rotor power factor (cosϕr). i.e Torque (T)  Φ Ir cosϕr
3
Torque developed (under running) T = Φ I2r cosϕ2r where K =
2 Ns
3 sE 2s R 2s
= Φ x
2 Ns R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2 R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
3 sE 2s R 2s
= E2s [  E2s  Φ ]
2 Ns R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
sE 22s R 2s
 Torque at running or Full Load Torque (Tfl) = K N-m ---------- (1)
R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
To get the maximum torque, differentiate equation (1) w.r.t ‘s’ and make it to zero i.e d(Tfl)/ds = 0
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

d  sE22s R 2s


K =0
ds  R 2s 2 + (sX 2s)2 
 

 R2s = s X2s i.e, the torque is maximum when the standstill rotor resistance is equal to
standstill rotor reactance.
Now substituting R2s = s X2s in equation (1), we get
sE22s sX 2s s2E22s X 2s
Maximum torque Tmax = K =K
(sX 2s)2 + (sX 2s)2 2 s 2 X 2s 2
E2
 Maximum torque Tmax = K 2s N-m
X 2s
From the above equation, it is clear that the maximum torque is independent of rotor resistance
(R2), but the maximum torque is inversely proportional to standstill rotor reactance.

Torque – Slip Curves/Characteristics:

The expression for torque developed by the 3-Ph induction motor is
sE 22s R 2s
Torque = K N-m ------- (1)
R 2s 2 + (sX 2s) 2
The torque – slip characteristics of a 3-ph induction motor can explain as follows:
(i) When the rotor speed is equal to synchronous speed i.e Nr = Ns, Slip (s) = 0 and from equation (1)
the torque is zero.
(ii) When the load on the motor is increases, the speed decreases and slip increases. The value of sX 2s
is very small compared to R2 and is neglected for constant rotor emf E2.
s R 2s
From equation (1) Torque = K ➔ Torque  slip(s)
R 2s 2
Hence for low value of slip, the torque – slip curve is represented as a straight line
As the load increases further, the speed decreases and slip increases. This result in increase in torque
and reaches to maximum when slip = R2s / X2s.
(iii) With the increase load beyond maximum torque (Tmax), the slip increases further. Now the value of
sX2 is more compared to R2 and R2 is neglected, so
s 1
From equation (1) Torque = K 2 2
or Torque 
s X 2s slip(s)
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

Hence for high value of slip, the torque-slip curve is falling from maximum torque as shown above.

5(a) Torque slip curve of SCIM 5(b) Torque slip curves of SRIM

The figure 5(a) shows the torque-slip curve of 3-ph Squirrel Cage Induction Motor (SCIM) the
and figure 5(b) shows the torque-slip curve of 3-ph Slip Ring Induction Motor (SRIM). The shape of
this curve represents rectangular hyperbola. The magnitude of the torque at Nr = 0 or slip =1 i.e at stand
still, is called starting torque (Tst).

Performance (or) Load Characteristics of 3-Ph IM:

The performance (or) load characteristics of 3-Ph induction motor are obtained by conducting
load or brake test. The schematic diagram of load or brake test on 3-Ph induction motor is as shown in
fig 6(a). The figure 6(b) shows the performance (or) load characteristics of 3-Ph induction motor.

(a) Load test on 3-h IM (b) Load or performance characteristics

When the load on the 3-Ph induction motor is increase, with increase in load
➢ The load current increased from no load current (ILo).
➢ The torque increases from zero.
➢ The speed of the motor falls from rated speed because of increase in load.
➢ The efficiency increase with increase in load, reaches to maximum and then falls because of
raise in load.
➢ The power factor of motor also increases with increase in load i.e at no load the induction motor
has low power factor (lag), it increases with increase in load.
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

Power flow diagram (or) Losses and Efficiency of 3-Ph IM:

The input electric power fed to the stator of the motor is converted into mechanical power at the
shaft of the motor. The various losses during the energy conversion are: Iron loss, Copper loss and
mechanical loss. The total iron losses are divided into stator iron losses and rotor iron losses. The rotor
iron loss is negligible because the frequency of rotor currents under normal running condition is small.
The combination of stator iron losses and mechanical losses are called fixed losses. The copper losses
also called variable losses. The power flow diagram for 3-ph induction motor is as shown below:

The following points may be noted from the above diagram:

(i) Stator input, P1 = √3VLILCosΦ = Stator output + Stator losses
= Stator output + Stator Iron loss + Stator Cu loss
(ii) Stator output = Rotor input, P2 = Stator input - Stator losses and
Rotor Cu loss, Pcu = 3I22R2 = Rotor input − Rotor output
(iii) Mechanical power developed, Pmech = P2 - Rotor Cu loss
This mechanical power available is the gross rotor output and will produce a gross torque Tg.
(iv) Mechanical power at shaft, Pout = Pm - Friction and windage loss
Mechanical power available at the shaft produces a shaft torque Tsh.
(v) Friction and windage loss or Mechanical losses = Pmech - Pout

Mechanical Power developed Pmech:

The mechanical power developed from any electric motor can be expressed as:
2NT
Pmech =
60
Let Ns is syn. Speed in r.p.m., Tg =Gross torque developed in Nm. Now the mechanical power
developed by the 3-ph Induction Motor is
2N s Tg
Pmech = = 0.1047NsTg
60
3-Ph Induction Motors Prepared by Mr. M. Venkatesh M.Tech,

Relation between Rotor input(P2), Rotor Copper loss (Pcu) and Mechanical Power
developed (Pmech):-
Let T = Gross torque developed by motor in N-m, ω = Angular speed = (2πN)/60 ,
We know that the torque and power are related as, P = T x ω. The power flow diagram of –Ph IM is

The input to the rotor P2 is from stator side through rotating magnetic field which is rotating at
synchronous speed Ns.
So torque developed by the rotor can be expressed in terms of power input and angular speed at
which power is inputted i.e. ωs as,
2N s
Rotor input (P2) = Tg * ωs = Tg *
60
2N s * Tg
 Rotor input (P2) = --------------------- (1)
60
2N r
Mechanical power developed (Pmech) = Tg * ωr = Tg *
60
2N r * Tg
 Mechanical power developed (Pmech) = ---------------- (2)
60
Rotor copper losses (Pcu) = Rotor input (P2) - Mechanical power developed (Pmech)
2N s * Tg 2N r * Tg
= -
60 60
2Tg (N s - N r )
 Rotor copper losses (Pcu) = ------------------- (3)
60
Dividing equations (3) and (1), we get
2Tg (N s - N r )
Rotor copper losses (Pcu) 60
=
Rotor input (P2) 2TgN s
60
Rotor copper losses (Pcu) N -N
= s r =S
Rotor input (P2) Ns

 Rotor copper losses (Pcu) = S * Rotor input (P2)

Rotor copper losses (Pcu) = Rotor input (P2) - Mechanical power developed (Pmech)
= Rotor input (P2) - S * Rotor input (P2)

 Rotor copper losses (Pcu) = (1 - S) Rotor input (P2)

Therefore the relation between rotor input (P2), Rotor copper losses (Pcu) and Mechanical power
developed (Pmech) is P2 : Pcu : Pmech = 1 : S : 1-S