Introduction

Switched reluctance motor “SRM” also called variable reluctance motor is

gaining interest in industrial applications such as electric vehicles and wind
energy systems due to its simple and rugged construction. SRMs have better
efficiency, better reliability, high fault tolerance, high constant power speed
ratio (CPSR), and resistance to high temperatures compared with other types
of motors such as induction motors, permanent magnet synchronous motors,
and brushless DC motors. The development in the power electronics
converters and their latest control techniques are the main reasons for the
increase in the usage of SRMs.

SRM consists of a stator and rotor cores which are made up of a stack of
laminated electrical steel sheets. The coils are wound directly on the stator
tooth or they can be wound on the bobbin and then inserted into the stator
tooth to achieve a higher coil fill factor. The rotor with salient poles is free
from the magnets and windings as shown in the figure below.

In nature, either we have fluids, electric currents, or magnetic fields

they all like to flow through the path of the least resistance nothing but the
least reluctance path which means higher inductance. So that’s the
fundamental working principle of the switched reluctance motors. The reason
it is called switched is that once the stator and the rotor poles are aligned then
it quickly switches to the next phase so that the rotor keeps chasing the phase
that is excited as presented in the animation below. Hence the reluctance
torque is developed in the rotor
Literature
Early Concepts (19th Century): The concept of reluctance, the opposition of
magnetic materials to magnetic flux, has been known since the 19th century.
However, the practical application of this concept to motor design took time
to develop.

1970s - 1980s: The modern development of Switched Reluctance Motors

gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s. During this period, researchers
and engineers began exploring the potential of SRMs as an alternative to
conventional motor designs.

1980s: Theoretical groundwork for SRMs was laid out by researchers like
Thomas Jahns and Robert Lorenz. They developed mathematical models and
control algorithms that paved the way for the practical implementation of
SRMs.

1990s: The 1990s saw increased interest and research in SRMs. The motor's
unique characteristics, such as simplicity, high torque density, and potential
for high-speed operation, started attracting attention from various industries.

1990s - 2000s: Research efforts focused on refining the design, improving

materials, and developing advanced control strategies. These advancements
aimed to enhance the performance, efficiency, and reliability of SRMs.

2000s - Present: SRMs have found applications in various industries, including

automotive, industrial automation, and appliances. Ongoing research
continues to address challenges related to control algorithms, noise reduction,
and optimizing efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions.

Renewed Interest: In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in SRMs,
driven by the need for energy-efficient solutions and the growing emphasis on
electric propulsion in vehicles and renewable energy systems.

Today, SRMs are recognized for their potential advantages in terms of

simplicity, reliability, and adaptability to harsh operating conditions. As
technology continues to advance, SRMs may play an increasingly significant
role in the landscape of electric motors.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
Switched Reluctance Motors (SRMs) operate on the principle of magnetic
reluctance, taking advantage of the tendency of magnetic materials to move
towards positions of lower reluctance. The working of SRMs involves the
interaction of the stator and rotor poles to produce motion. Here is a basic
overview of how SRMs work:

Basic Structure:

Stator: The stator in an SRM typically consists of several salient (protruding)

poles made of ferromagnetic material. Windings are wound around these
poles.

Rotor: The rotor is also made of ferromagnetic material and is typically a

simple structure without windings. It has fewer poles compared to the stator.

Operation Phases: SRMs operate in different phases. In each phase, a subset

of stator windings is energized to create a magnetic field. The stator poles
attract the rotor poles due to magnetic reluctance, attempting to minimize the
air gap between them.

Switching Phases: The key to SRM operation is the precise switching of

current in the stator windings. The windings are energized and de-energized
in a specific sequence to create a rotating magnetic field. Current is switched
on and off rapidly in each winding phase, causing the rotor to align with the
activated stator poles.

Rotor Movement: As the magnetic field is switched, the rotor poles align with
the active stator poles, minimizing reluctance and creating a torque that
drives the rotor. The rotor moves to the next position as the magnetic field
switches to the adjacent stator poles.

Control Algorithms: Advanced control algorithms are employed to optimize

the switching sequence and timing. These algorithms consider factors such as
rotor position, speed, and load conditions to maximize efficiency and
performance.
Variable Speed Operation: One of the advantages of SRMs is their ability to
operate efficiently over a wide range of speeds. The control system can adjust
the switching frequency and timing to match the required speed and torque.

Specifications SRM
Configuration
8/6
(slots/poles)
Based speed 2000 rpm
Peak phase current 200 A
Rated power 9.64 kW
Average torque 46.06 Nm
Stator and rotor core
M27 steel
material
Conductor material Copper
The switched reluctance motor considered for analysis has 8 stator poles and
6 rotor poles made up of M27 grade steel with 0.47 mm lamination thickness.
The designed motor is a four-phase machine, with a based speed of 2000 rpm
and the rated peak phase current is 200 A. The mesh and specifications of the
SRM are shown below

Switched Reluctance Motor Characteristics

The characteristics of the switched reluctance motor include the following.

 This kind of reluctance motor is a 1-phase or 3-phase

 Speed control of this motor is simple.

 The triggering circuit can be changed to get high speed

 It operates with a DC supply once used with an inverter.

 Once the firing angle of any switching device can be changed then
different speeds can be achieved.

 Control of one phase is independent of the other two phases.

 The unutilized energy fed to the motor can be retrieved by using

the feedback diodes. This improves efficiency.
Advantages

The advantages of a switched reluctance motor include the following.

 These motors are very simple & the rotors in this motor are
extremely strong

 These motors are applicable for high-speed applications.

 The VFDs (variable frequency drives) of this motor are somewhat

simpler as compared with conventional VFDs.

 This motor doesn’t use any additional ventilation system when the
stator, as well as rotor slots, is projected. So the airflow can be
maintained among the slots.

 These are less expensive because of the nonexistence of permanent

magnets.

 Fault tolerance is high

 This motor works with a simple two-phase or three-phase pulse

generator.

 Phase losses do not change the operation of the motor.

 Once the phase sequence is changed then the motor direction will
be changed.

 Inertia Ratio or High Torque

 Self-starting without using additional arrangements

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of a switched reluctance motor include the following.

 Switched reluctance motors have less torque capacity & normally

these motors are noisy.

 While operating this motor at high speed, it creates a torque ripple.

 High noise level

 It uses an external rotor position sensor

 These are applicable for medium to high speed, low-cost

applications wherever controllability & shaft or noise torque ripple
are not dangerous.

 This motor generates harmonics when it operates at high speed, so

to reduce this, large size capacitors need to install.

 Since the nonexistence of a permanent magnet, the SRM has to

carry a high i/p current to increase the necessity of converter KVA.
Applications

The applications of switched reluctance motors include the following.

 These types of motors are used as an alternative for induction

motors in different applications wherever the operating conditions
of this motor do not suit them.

 In textile machinery like towel looms, rapier looms, etc

 Used in electric vehicles

 Oilfield machinery like beam pumps, vertical pumps, well testing

machinery, etc.

 Mining machinery like conveyors, shearers, winches, ball mills,

boring machines, coal crushers, etc.

 Machine tools like vertical lathes, planers, drilling machines, etc.

 Coil winding as well as unwinding equipment

 General machinery like pumps, fans, compressors, etc.

 Equipment used in paper mills

 Machinery used for food mixing

 Rolling mill for metals

 Lifting machines such as winches, lifts, conveyors, et

Conclusion

In this blog, the switched reluctance motor's static and dynamic

characteristics were exhibited and analyzed using the FEA tools –
EMWorks2D and MotorWizard. It has been demonstrated that both motor
design tools provide the same accurate results. Switched reluctance motors
can be an alternative solution to fulfill the growing demand for electrification
in the automotive industry without the need for permanent magnets.
Nevertheless, the selection of the motor topology is a trade-off between the
constraints and the performance requirement of electric vehicles