1.

Define Drive and Electric Drive

 Definition of drive
The systems employed for motion control are called as 'drives'.

 Definition of electric drive

It is defined as an electromechanical device for converting electrical energy into mechanical
energy to impart motion to different machines and mechanisms for various kinds and process
control. And this may employ any of the prime movers like - Hydraulic, steam engine, gas-
steam turbines, diesel-petrol engines and most common drive is "Electric Motor". Electric
motors are treated as "Electric drives".

As explained earlier there are vide varieties of motors with different characteristics working
on DC or AC supply and accordingly called as electric "DC drive" or "AC drive"

2. Explain multi motor derives.

In multi motor drive, separate motors are used for operating different parts of same mechanism
(production unit)

e.g. in case of overhead crane, different motor is used for hoisting (up and down motion), long
travel motion and cross travel motion.

3. What are the types of electric drives?

a) Based On Application
1) Group Drive
2) Individual Drive
3) Multi Motor Drive

b) Based On Their Power Supply

1) Ac Drive
2) Dc Drive
3)
4. Draw the block diagram of electric drive

component of electric drive

1) source
2) power modulator
3) motor
4) control unit
5) sensing unit
6) load
5. Give some examples of Electric Drives
Rolling Mills Marine Drive
Textile Mills Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Cranes Sugar Factory
Paper Mills

6. What is meant by “load equalization”?

 The process of smoothing out fluctuations in load is known as load equalization.
 In industrial drives, load varies between very wide limits in very short intervals of times
e.g. steel rolling mill in which the load is very large during the rolling operation and very
little when charges passes by. A typical example of load cycle is shown
 The best way to do this is to increase the moment of inertia of motor by flywheel.

7. What are the parts of electrical drives?

 Electric Motor: Converts electricity to motion.
 Power modulators –Inverter/Converter (AC/DC), variable impedance, switching circuits.
 Power Supply (source) : Provides electrical energy.
 Controller: Manages motor operations.
 Sensors: Provide motor feedback.
 Mechanical Load: Driven device.
 Protection Devices: Ensure safety and reliability.
 User Interface: Allows control and monitoring.

8. State the various classes of duty.

A. Continuous Duty:
 Runs continuously without interruption.
 Operates under a constant load.
 Equipment is designed to handle the load without overheating.
 Examples: Electric motors powering machinery, HVAC systems.
 B. Short-Time Duty:
 Operates under rated load for a limited time.
 Followed by a cooling or resting period.
 Duration and rest times are predefined.
 Used for tasks requiring bursts of power.
 Examples: Industrial processes, power tools.
C. Intermittent Duty:
 Alternates between periods of load and rest.
 Load and rest durations vary.
 Used for tasks with fluctuating requirements.
 Equipment adjusts to changing demands.
 Examples: Cranes, lifts, construction
machinery.

9. Mention the application of electrical drives

Rolling Mills Marine Drive
Textile Mills Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Cranes Sugar Factory
Paper Mills

10. Define cooling time constant.

The cooling time constant, often denoted as "τ" (tau), is a parameter used to describe how
quickly a system or object cools down after being subjected to a change in temperature. It is a
measure of the rate at which the temperature of the system approaches its new equilibrium
temperature after experiencing a temperature disturbance.

11. List the factors affecting the selection of electric drive

Selection of motor or drive for a particular application depends on following factors:
 Requirement of load: Type of torque (constant, intermittent etc.).
 Speed: torque characteristics of motor
 Speed control band or range of motor
 Matching of speed torque characteristics of motor and load
 Starting condition parameters: starting current, starting torque, starting gears used
 Initial cost, running cost, maintenance cost. The summary of motor characteristics and
applications is given in tabular form.

12. State some of the advantages of an electric drive system.

 Electric drives are efficient, converting a higher proportion of input energy into usable output
power, minimizing energy waste.
 Electric drives offer smooth and controlled starting, eliminating abrupt mechanical jolts
during operation
 The precision of electric drives improves process control, allowing for meticulous adjustment
that enhances product quality and consistency.
 The streamlined design with fewer mechanical parts results in reduced maintenance and
repair costs over time.
 Electric drive components are compact, enabling space-efficient installations in various
settings.
 Available in a range of sizes, electric drives can be tailored to suit diverse applications and
industries.
  With reduced carbon emissions, electric drives contribute to environmental sustainability by
lowering the overall carbon footprint.
 Engineered to meet safety standards, electric drives can be deployed in hazardous
environments without compromising security.

13. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Group drive (Shaft drive)?
Advantages of Group Drive

 Single motor of big capacity is used so there is considerable saving in cost.

 Maintenance is less.
 Efficiency and power factor are better if the motor operates near rated capacity.
 If machines are overloaded, the group drive is advantageous because the overload occurring for
main motor is very less

Disadvantages of Group
 Any fault on main motors causes stopping of all small machines connected to the common shaft.
 Machine have to be installed at places which is convenient for shafting.
 There is no flexibility of layout i.e. shifting of a small machine from one location to other is hardly
possible.
 If only few numbers of machines are needed to be operated, the main motor operates with a
very less capacity, hence its efficiency and power factor is poor.
 The appearance due to shaft, pulleys etc. is not good.
 Speed control of individual small machine is cumbersome.
 Considerable amount of power is wasted in power transmission.
 Noise level is high.
 Future expansion is hardly possible.

14. How a motor rating is determined in a continuous duty?

 Load Analysis: Analyse the load's torque and speed requirements to calculate the power
needed to drive the load continuously.
 Thermal Capacity: Evaluate the motor's ability to dissipate heat during continuous operation
by checking its thermal capacity provided by the manufacturer.
 Efficiency: Consider the motor's efficiency at various operating points to ensure energy-
efficient performance over time.
 Ambient Conditions: Account for the environmental conditions where the motor will operate
to prevent overheating and ensure proper cooling.
 Safety Margin: Incorporate a safety margin to ensure the motor operates comfortably within
its thermal limits, avoiding overheating and extending its lifespan.

15. Define heating time constant.

16. How a motor rating is determined in a continuous duty?
(ref. q14)
17. Draw a typical temperature rise –time curve and derive equation for temperature rise in an
electric drive.
 Heat dissipation from motor is possible only if there is difference in the cooling medium and
motor i.e. motor temperature has to be higher than surrounding temperature.
 The rate at which the heat is generated should be equal to the rate at which it is being used
in rising the temperature of motor and rate of heat dissipation taking place from the surface
of motor.
 The amount of heat stored in motor body depends on its heat storing capacity. The
temperature of motor body keeps on rising till a certain limit is reached, afterwards it remains
constant and there is no further storage of heat and all heat generated is dissipated in
surrounding medium, this is called stable condition or thermal equilibrium.
 As long as temperature of motor body keeps on rising, some part of generated heat will be
stored in the body itself and some part will be dissipated in the surrounding medium. This is
called transient condition.

18. How heating occurs in motor drives?

 In motor drives, heating primarily arises from several factors. Copper losses occur due to
the resistance of motor windings, causing heat generation proportional to current. Iron
losses occurs from core magnetization changes, resulting in hysteresis and eddy current
losses.
 Friction, windage, and bearing losses from moving parts lead to mechanical resistance and
subsequent heat. Electronic components like transistors incur switching losses during
rapid transitions, generating heat as they toggle.
 Inefficiencies in components and voltage drops contribute to heat production.
Overloading a motor increases current, increasing copper losses and heating. Ambient
temperature impacts heat dissipation efficiency.
 Continuous operation and high ambient temperatures block cooling, allowing increases
heat. Efficient thermal management, including cooling methods, insulation, and proper
material selection, is vital to prevent overheating, ensure motor reliability, and extend its
operational lifespan.