Effect of low voltage on motor

Reported prepared by

1- Dr. Muhammad Shoukat Hussain (Techno-Consult International)

2- Ammara Shoukat (NED University)

During pumping of water from high lift pumping station to filter plant it is noted that after 2 and half
hours continuous working motor # 2 at HLPS heat up, during this time phase to phase low voltage is 350-
370 volt. This is low from recommended value (Name plate value).

(Power) = (Electrical Energy)/(time)=(Voltage)(Current)(CosƟ)

E=VI

E= (0.8V)(I)

1.25E=VI

Therefore 20% decrease of voltage motor need 25% more energy, bear an extra load and produce extra
heat which effect the flux, torque, efficiency. Therefore kindly try to supply and make an arrangement
for a stable voltage for the pumping machinery throughout the water supply system and dedicated
feeder should only be used for water supply system.

The Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA) published an article on “The Effects of High or Low Voltage on
Electric Motors”. According to this article low voltage badly affect the motor performance.

According to NEMA Standard motors are designed to operate within 10% of related. Any change for
more than 10% of rated voltage will affect the performance of the motor. High voltage can actually
improve the performance, but at the same point the core will begin to saturated and heat up quickly.

Low voltage Supply is more dangerous than high voltage as due to less voltage there is less flux in the
winding. Less flux means that winding is not being used to its optimal level, so efficiency and torque are
badly affected.

If a motor is designed for 440 volts then what effects will be produced on motor when voltage variation
is more than 10 %.

Effect on Torque

At 110% of Voltage, torque will increase 21% of normal value.

At 90% of Voltage, torque will decrease 19% of normal value.

Speed

At 110% of Voltage, speed will increase 1% of normal value.

At 90% of Voltage, speed will decrease 1.5% of normal value.

Percent Slip

At 110% of Voltage, Percent Slip will decrease 17% of normal value.

At 90% of Voltage, Percent Slip will increase 23% of normal value.

Percent Slip = (Synchronous speed – Rotational speed)/ (Synchronous speed)

Efficiency

Efficiency drops with either high or low voltage

At 110% of Voltage, Efficiency will decrease 1% of normal value.

At 90% of Voltage, Efficiency will decrease 2% of normal value.

Current

At 110% of Voltage, Current will increase (10-12) % of normal value.

At full load Current will go up 7 % on110% of Voltage

At 90% of Voltage, Current will decrease (10-12) % of normal value.

At full load Current will go up 11% on 90% of Voltage.

Temperature

At 110% of Voltage, Temperature will increase (3-4) % of normal value.

At 90% of Voltage, Current will increase (6-7) % of normal value.

Every 10 oC increase in temperature, Insulation life will be cut in half

Overload Capacity

At 110% of Voltage, Overload Capacity increase 21% of normal value.

At 90% of Voltage, Capacity will decrease 19% of normal value.

Power factor

Power factor improves with lower voltage and drops sharply with higher voltage.

The economic loss from premature motor failure is devastating. In most cases, the price of the motor
itself is trivial compared to the cost of unscheduled shutdowns of processes. Both high and low voltages
can cause premature motor failure, as will voltage imbalance. Here, we'll look at the effects of low and
high voltage on motors and the related performance changes we can expect when you use voltages
other than those noted on the nameplate.

Effects of low voltage.

When you subject a motor to voltages below the nameplate rating, some of the motor's characteristics
will change slightly and others will change dramatically. To drive a fixed mechanical load connected to
the shaft, a motor must draw a fixed amount of power from the line. The amount of power the motor
draws has a rough correlation to the voltage 2current (amps). Thus, when voltage gets low, the current
must increase to provide the same amount of power. An increase in current is a danger to the motor
only if that current exceeds the motor's nameplate current rating. When amps go above the nameplate
rating, heat begins to build up in the motor. Without a timely correction, this heat will damage the
motor. The more heat and the longer the exposure to it, the more damage to the motor.