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Understanding The Design of Stators and Rotors of Squirrel Cage Induction Motors
Understanding The Design of Stators and Rotors of Squirrel Cage Induction Motors
Abstract- In order to enhance squirrel cage 2. Efficiency vs. starting current - torque
induction motor (SCIM) operation and performance as characteristics
a new machine or a repaired machine, it is important 3. Motor size and insulation systems vs.
to have a basic knowledge of the design and operating temperature
manufacturing elements that go into the stator and 4. Cost vs. performance
rotor. The SCIM is basically a converter of electrical 5. Enclosure vs. performance characteristics
energy (stator) to mechanical energy (rotor/shaft
assembly) via mutual inductance. This paper provides The bottom line is that achieving a good motor
those who specify, purchase, install, operate and design that satisfies both the user and manufacturer
repair SCIM’s with a basic understanding of what is requires balancing various performance
required to make this energy conversion. The factors characteristics.
that may impact the motor performance and longevity
are highlighted. The scope of product covered is from
75kw (100hp) to 3 750kw (5000hp), 400 volts to 6.6kV
typically used in the petroleum and chemical industry.
Introduction
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Fig. 2. Electric motor fundamentals
A. Selection of Frame Size and Enclosure oversized motor would have used more active
materials than necessary.
The application dictates a severe duty enclosure
and although there are a number of choices such as
Weather-Proof, Totally-Enclosed Water-Air Cooled, or
Tube-Cooled, the logical choice to comply with IEEE
841 is a Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled (TEFC) with an
all cast iron construction. There are several frame
sizes available but for this analysis a NEMA 5809
frame was selected. Figure 3 depicts the motor
envelope and thermal circuits for this enclosure.
There is a direct relationship between the stator
2
diameter squared times the stator stack length ( D L)
and output torque. If a 5009 frame had been chosen,
2
the smaller D would require a much longer lamination
stack length for the same output rating (KW/HP). If a Fig. 3. Typical enclosure and thermal circuits of a
larger frame had been chosen, the needlessly 5809 frame TEFC motor
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B. Selection of Stator and Rotor Laminations TABLE I
COILS/GROUP FOR 4 POLE STATORS
The selection of the frame size normally dictates Coils/group 3 4 5 6 7
the outside diameter (OD) of the stator laminations. Stator slots 36 48 60 72 84
Each manufacturer has standard lamination
dimensions by frame size and poles. For a typical 4-
pole motor, the stator inside diameter (ID) is D. Selection of electrical steel grade
approximately 2/3 that of the stator lamination OD.
The ID of the rotor lamination may be affected by There are four major considerations in selecting the
mechanical considerations, such as the need for a grade of electrical steel. They include the watts loss
specific shaft diameter. Figure 4 illustrates typical (per unit weight), permeability, thermal conductivity
stator and rotor lamination blanks. and thickness of the steel.
After the initial lamination diameters are Low-carbon steels have slightly better thermal
determined, the number of stator slots, the stator-rotor conductivity and are usually easier to magnetize,
slot combination, and grade of electrical steel must be while silicon steel has lower hysteresis losses. Eddy-
determined. These choices are influenced by the current losses are proportional to the square of the
KW/HP rating, RPM, winding type, rotor construction, thickness, but thicker steel has a higher stacking
and performance criteria. factor (more steel per unit of stack length) and is
easier to physically handle. Figure 5 shows the
relationship between losses and thickness of several
different grades of electrical steels.
The magnetic flux in a motor is composed of the Fig. 5. Effect of lamination thickness on eddy-current
rotating fundamental sine-wave and the harmonic losses
components. Only the fundamental wave or field
actually provides useful tangential forces and usable Reasonable options for this design are American
rotating torque. The harmonic components of the Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) Grades M-45, M-36, and
wave produce only parasitic torques, which distort the M-15, in thicknesses ranging from 0.4mm – 0.8 mm
accelerating speed-torque characteristic of the motor. (.018” to .031”). From these, a 0.46mm (0.018”) thick
The presence of these non- sinusoidal fields in the M36 fully processed (C5 coreplate) with a watts loss
airgap of the motor can result in any of the following of 1.7 watts/lb was selected.
detrimental effects:
1. Starting or running noise E. Winding Configurations
2. Synchronous locking torques
3. Dead points at zero speed Two choices of stator configurations (Fig. 6) were
4. Torque dips considered: one for a random wound and one for a
5. Stray losses form wound design.
The form coil option (Fig. 6, right) is mechanically
Although it is not practical to eliminate all parasitic more robust, better sealed against environmental
torques, the proper combination of stator and rotor threats, and tends to be more durable than a random
slots can minimize their influences. The proper winding (Fig. 6, left) in the same rating. The random
selection of the stator winding span and rotor skew winding is slightly more efficient. It is also less
can further reduce these influences. expensive and faster to both produce and repair.
It is desirable that each coil group have the same
number of coils, as that allows the greatest selection
of parallel circuits. A higher number of stator slots
gives fewer harmonics in the flux, but uses a greater
portion of the available winding area for insulation.
Possible choices for this rating (3 phases x 4 poles
= 12 Groups) are summarized in table I.
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F. Chord factor (Kp)
G. Rotor Design
Fig. 7. Concentric winding (1 pole-phase group)
For the rotor there are also several options. The
rotor cage can be a die-cast (Fig. 10) or fabricated
The midpoint of each coil in a concentric winding is design (Fig. 11), using aluminum or copper. The cage
also the midpoint of the coil group, hence the winding can be designed as either a single-cage or double-
is ‘concentrated’ on a common centerline. The coils in cage construction (Fig. 12).
a lap winding group are ‘distributed’ – they do not There are two options in the selection of the
share a common center point. Flux density number of rotor bars. They are: a rotor with fewer
calculations must take into account the difference in bars than stator slots (N2 < N1) or with more rotor
distribution factor (kd ) for the winding type selected. bars than stator slots (N2 > N1).
Kd for a traditional concentric winding is 1.0; for a lap
winding the value of kd varies inversely with the
number of coils per pole-phase group.
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The cast rotor is inherently more rugged,
particularly when numerous starts are required, and
offers the greatest variety of bar shapes to optimize
the starting characteristics.
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design that is as close as possible to the new
requirements and would then “ratio” to the first
approximation of the design.
In general, the motor’s full load torque is
2
proportional to the D L at the airgap. From there, the
winding turns can be calculated to the new rating
requirements by using ratios:
En HPo fo L t
Tn = To * * * * o * o (7)
Eo HPn fn Ln tn
2
The flux densities (kilolines/in ) in the stator and TABLE II
2
rotor core backiron and teeth can be determined from TARGET FLUX DENSITIES, IN KILOLINES/IN
the airgap flux density by equations: Component Stator Rotor
Airgap 25-35 ---
Teeth 110-130 110-130
5.485 * D * B g Backiron 110-130 110-130
Bt1 = (5)
N 1 * Wt1 (Airgap density reported in rms; teeth and backiron
densities as peak values.)
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TABLE III radial blades, was selected to meet the required
OPTIONS FOR SLOT AND TOOTH WIDTHS sound level. The backward curved blades maximize
Stator Slot Tooth Ratio air flow and minimize fan losses. The unidirectional
slots width width (slot: tooth) fan is compatible with the centrifugal pump
48 .712” .368” 1.93 application.
60 .496 .295 1.68 After a trial calculation, the airgap was changed
72 .352 .246 1.47 from 0.080 on the reference design to 0.090 on the
84 .249 .210 1.19 sample design. Table IV summarizes the performance
characteristics of the proposed design, for both
A slot: tooth width ratio of approximately 1.5:1 is random and form coil options.
reasonable for inserting the winding, therefore 72
stator slots were selected. TABLE IV
Certain combinations of stator slots and rotor slots PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
can result in electrical noise or torque-related Random Form IEEE 841
problems. Cogging (a condition where starting torque Efficiency 97.0 96.8 95.4 (nom.)
varies depending on the relative position of the rotor Power Factor 89.5 88.5
bars on start-up) and cusp (a dip in the torque curve) o o o
Temp. Rise 71 C 66 C 80 C (max.)
can be predicted based on the difference between
stator and rotor slots, factoring in the number of poles Starting 5.6 5.7 5.77 (max.)
and phases. KVA/HP
Avoidance of electrical noise is part science and % Slip 0.72 0.74 --
part ‘black art.’ The selection of 57 rotor bars for this dBA 88 88 90 (max.)
motor was based on empirical data. Hence, N1 = 72, Starting torq. 98% 100% 80% (min.)
N2 = 57.
Major Electrical Noise and Vibration
J. Calculations of Trial Winding
Considerations
2
From empirical data, the required airgap D L is
3 A. Stator / Rotor Slot Combinations
approximately 6,000 in . Starting with the objective of
keeping the stack length approximately 1.3 times the
airgap diameter, the cube root of (6,000/1.3) = 16.65, Certain stator /rotor slot combinations are known to
cause electrical noise and/or torque anomalies, and
an airgap diameter of 42cm (16.5 inches) and stack
are routinely avoided by designers. Beyond that basic
length of 54.6cm (21.5 inches) was selected. For a 4-
pole design, the stator OD will be approximately 1.5 consideration, certain length to diameter ratios with
times the airgap diameter, or 63cm (24.75 inches). specific skews may not perform as ideally.
The closest existing design is a 500 HP 4-Pole 460 Combinations that yield satisfactory performance in
some designs may not be suitable for all mechanical
volts 60 Hz with an airgap diameter of 16.5 inches
and stack length of 17.5 inches. The winding has 6 configurations. Another factor that must be
turns connected as a 4-circuit delta configuration, considered is the geometry and stability of the core
2
using a coil pitch of 1-15. The stator / rotor slot and frame. Longer cores within the same D L family
require a stiffer shaft to control flexing that might
combination is 72 / 57. The airgap length is 2 mm
(0.080”). The rotor is not skewed. The stator is otherwise lead to unacceptable vibration problems.
random wound. The stator backiron flux density is
B. Rotor Skew
low enough to allow increased stator slot depth if
necessary to meet performance requirements.
The decision whether or not to skew the rotor (Fig.
Using the variables that changed in equation 7 to
calculate the new turns for the 400v 50 Hz rating 16) is influenced by experience. The primary
gives 5 turns/coil: advantage of a rotor skew is that it reduces the effect
of airgap flux harmonics on the speed-torque curve.
The trade-off is that the skew increases stray load
Tn = 6 *
400
*
60
*
17.5
= 6 * .826 * 1.095 * .902 = 5.156
(8) losses, adversely affecting efficiency.
460 50 21.5
th th
The optimum coil pitch for suppressing 5 and 7
harmonics is 83% pitch, or 1-16 coil pitch. Increasing
the pitch to 1-16 lowers the total flux, which offsets
the slight increase in flux caused by rounding the
turns to the nearest integer. The first trial calculation
was run with 5 turns, 4-delta, 400 volts, 50 Hz, and a
1-16 coil pitch. The size and number of parallel wires
was adjusted to optimize slot fill with the reduced
number of turns per coil, resulting in four #14 AWG
and fourteen #15 ½ AWG wires in hand.
The IEEE 841 specification limits the sound power
level to 90 dBA. The reference design had a large
external fan which exceeds the specification sound Fig.16. Rotor bars are skewed to smooth out the
level. A smaller diameter fan, with backward-curved torque curve.
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Harmonic analysis of the 72/57 slot combination
shows low harmonic amplitudes and no locking
torques between zero and rated speed. It seems
reasonably safe to eliminate skewing of the rotor
cage, and thereby realize the improved operating
efficiency.
Operational Considerations
There are numerous elements of the design that Fig.18. Effect of applied voltage on performance
may impact the quality of the motor operation and characteristics.
performance. The major ones are:
1. The ability to operate satisfactory over a wide
range of voltage conditions, including: under and Repair Considerations
over voltage, unbalanced voltage, and inverter duty
or voltage transients. With effective root cause failure analysis, the
2. The ability to perform under a wide range of loads underlying cause of most failures can be determined.
(light or heavy), cyclic loading, or extreme starting That leads to an opportunity to make improvements
conditions. during the repair process. If the root cause of failure is
3. Other factors include: environmental extremes, correctly identified, it is often possible to enhance the
noise under heavy loads or over-voltage conditions, suitability of a motor for its unique environment. For
and operational and maintenance costs while example, if condensation or moisture is identified as
operating beyond the nominal or optimum the root cause of a failure, the improvement might be
conditions. as simple as installing a condensate drain, sealing the
lead opening at the terminal box, or sealing the
windings better.
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rotor bars in their slots. Such changes may elicit
understandable concern. Brazing techniques and
materials may be required to meet with the motor
users mandate that all repairs be phosphorous-free,
for reasons of chemical compatibility.
CONCLUSIONS
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To summarize the key aspects of this motor design: VITAE
The full load efficiency of 97% results in 6.45 Kw-Hr
savings per hour of operation when compared to the Howard E. Barr is an IEEE Member and is a design
95.4 efficiency specified in IEEE 841. engineer with Fluid Services Division of Emerson
The full load power factor of 89.5% will meet most Motor Company. Barr started his large motor design
utility minimum requirements with little or no career with The Louis Allis Company in 1969, and
correction. The insulation system uses Class F and moved to U.S. Electric Motors Division of Emerson
Class H components, allowing some unusual service Electric in 1973 and has served in engineering and
conditions without the winding temperature exceeding management positions in integral horsepower motor
its rating. The 98% starting torque assures reliable design and manufacture since that time. He is
starting even at voltages below the specified 90% currently resident engineering manager at the Mena,
starting voltage. Arkansas facility. Barr has BSEE and MSEE degrees
from Purdue University and is a registered electrical
Should the end user specify a motor suitable for an engineer in Arkansas.
ASD application (PWM drive), there are two options:
either the random winding can be produced using Austin H. Bonnett is a Life Fellow of the IEEE. His
inverter-grade insulation and wire, or the form wound honors include the Tesla Award, the IEEE Industry
variation can be selected for even better durability. If Applications Society Outstanding Achievement
there is not an available spare, the random wound Award, the 2007 EASA Outstanding Achievement
motor can be repaired or replaced more quickly than Award, the IEEE Meritorious Award, the NEMA Kite
the form coil counterpart in event of winding failure, and Key Award and numerous prize paper awards.
minimizing downtime. He is Technology and Education Consultant for the
Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA), and
The engineer must design a motor to meet vice-president of technology emeritus at Emerson
requirements for efficiency, torque, frame size, Electric.
enclosure, and reliability, while at the same time
balancing cost against performance; all this while Chuck Yung is a Senior Member of IEEE and a
recognizing that other designers are competing for the technical support specialist for the Electrical
same sale. There are literally hundreds of Apparatus Service Association (EASA). He worked in
manufacturers of electric motors worldwide. the electrical machinery repair industry from 1974
The end-user must recognize that a successful until joining the staff of EASA in 1998. He holds one
design depends in part upon full disclosure of the patent and is the author of more than 100 technical
expected operating conditions of the motor. articles and papers, including three published in IEEE
Industry Applications magazine.
REFERENCES
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Appendix A
IEEE 841 / PIP data
sheet
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