Electrical Power and Machines

Project Design:
Apply practical knowledge to compare the different types of A.C and D.C electrical machines.
Schematics:

Apparatus:
 Electrical Motor
Set-Up and Testing:
1. Disassemble motors and observe components in each type
2. Test windings for grounds/shorts to frame using ohmmeter.
3. Record data from the name plates of motors.
4. Reassemble, connect and test motors for operation in both directions.
Questions:
1. What device is used to disconnect the starting winding in the split-phase motor after it is
started?
2. How could the direction of rotation of split-phase motor be reversed?
3. Should a starting winding in a split-phase motor fail to energize, what will be possible
causes?
4. How could the direction of rotation of the universal motor be reversed?
5. Should sparking occur at the brushes of the universal motor, what could be the possible
cause?
6. What special feature is the universal motor knows for.
Observation:
The motor that converts the alternating current into mechanical power by using an
electromagnetic induction phenomenon is called an AC motor. This motor is driven by an
alternating current. The stator and the rotor are the two most important parts of the AC motors.
The stator is the stationary part of the motor, and the rotor is the rotating part of the motor. The
AC motor may be single phase or three phases.
A.C. MOTOR CONSTRUCTION
The A.C. Induction Motor has three main parts, rotor, stator and enclosure. The stator and rotor
do the work and the enclosure protects the rotor and stator.
The Stator, Rotor, Brushes and Commutator
Rather than using a permanent magnet, modern commercial electric motors usually rely
completely on electromagnets. A series of small coils arranged in a circular arrangement forms
the stator, and these coils generate a standing magnetic field. A a separate coil wound around
an armature and attached to a shaft forms the rotor, which spins inside the field. Because you
can't attach wires to a spinning coil, the rotor usually incorporates metallic brushes that remain
in contact with a conducting surface on the stator. This surface, along with the stator windings,
is connected to power terminals located on the motor housing.
When you turn on the power, electricity flows into the field coils to create a standing magnetic
field. It also flows through the brushes and energizes the armature coil. DC motors, such as
those that run on a battery, also include a commutator, which is a switch attached to the rotor
shaft that reverses the electric field with every half spin of the rotor. This field reversal is
necessary to keep the rotor spinning in one direction.

Relevant Theory:

Electric motors rely on electromagnetic induction, a phenomenon discovered in the early 1800s
by physicist Michael Faraday. He found that moving a magnet through a toroid, around which he
had wrapped a conducting wire, generated an electric current in the wire. Electric motors use this
idea in reverse. When a current passes through a coil, the coil becomes magnetized, and if it's
attached to a shaft and suspended in the field generated by a permanent magnet, the opposing
magnetic forces create enough force to turn the shaft. Connecting the shaft to a gear mechanism
makes it capable of doing work, and adding bearings reduces friction and increases the efficiency
of the motor
Answer to Questions:

1. The centrifugal switch is used to disconnect the starting winding of the motor
once the motor approaches its normal operating speed.

2. To reverse rotation on a single phase motor, you need to reverse the polarity of the starter
winding.

3. A split-phase motor must have both the starting and running windings energized ... switch
contacts fail to close when the motor stops, then the starting winding circuit is still open.
When the motor circuit is re-energized, the motor will not start.

4. The direction of rotation of a universal motor can be changed by either: (i) Reversing the
field connection with respect to those of armature; or (ii) By using two field windings
wound on the core in opposite directions so that the one connected in series with
armature gives clockwise rotation.

5. Some sparking at the brushes is normal. Excessive sparking may be due to worn brushes,
resulting in reduced spring pressure, or due to roughness of the commutator segments
(test with a finger ..... with the power OFF!), or perhaps carbon dust between the
commutator segments.

6. The universal motor can run both on dc and ac supply

Conclusion:

Wiring systems in a single family home or duplex, for example, are simple, with relatively low
power requirements, infrequent changes to the building structure and layout, usually with dry,
moderate temperature and non-corrosive environmental conditions. In a light commercial
environment, more frequent wiring changes can be expected.