INTRODUCTION

SPECIAL ELECTRICAL
MACHINES
Definition

Special Electrical Machines are those machine

which are constructionally , technically and
functionally little different from rest of conventional
machines.

The concept or principle are same in both type of

machine. However, special electric machines are
used for special purposes.
Special Electrical Machines Classification

 Are broadly classified into two categories on

the basis of how they produce torque:

 Electromagnetically or
 by variable reluctance
 Torque - Electromagnetically

 Motion is produced by the interaction of two

magnetic fields, one generated by the stator and the
other by the rotor.

 Two magnetic fields, mutually coupled, produce an

electromagnetic torque that tends to bring the fields
into alignment.

 The same phenomenon causes opposite poles of bar

magnets to attract and like poles to repel.
 Torque - Reluctance
 In the second category, motion is produced as a result
of the variable reluctance in the air gap between the
rotor and the stator.

 When a stator winding is energized, producing a single

magnetic field, reluctance torque is produced by the
tendency of the rotor to move to its minimum
reluctance position.

 In those cases, reluctance is minimized when the

magnet and metal come into physical contact.
 What is Reluctance ?

 Magnetic reluctance, or magnetic resistance, is a

concept used in the analysis of magnetic circuits.

 It is analogous to resistance in an electrical circuits, but

rather than dissipating electric energy it stores
magnetic energy.

 In likeness to the way an electric field causes an electric

current to follow the path of least resistance,
a magnetic field causes magnetic flux to follow the
path of least magnetic reluctance.
Special Electrical Machines
 Reluctance Motor

A reluctance motor is a type of electric

motor that induces non-permanent magnetic
poles on the ferromagnetic rotor. Torque is
generated through the phenomenon
of magnetic reluctance.
Advantages of Reluctance Motor

Reluctance motors can deliver very high

power density at low cost, making them ideal
for many applications. Some of these are:

 Washing machines
 Control rod drive mechanisms of nuclear
reactors
Disadvantages of Reluctance Motor

 Disadvantages are high torque ripple (the difference

between maximum and minimum torque during one
revolution) when operated at low speed

 Noise caused by torque ripple

 Stepper Motors

 Stepper motors are DC motors that move in

discrete steps. They have multiple coils that
are organized in groups called "phases". By
energizing each phase in sequence, the
motor will rotate, one step at a time.
 Stepper Motors

 With a computer controlled stepping you can achieve

very precise positioning and/or speed control. For this
reason, stepper motors are the motor of choice for
many precision motion control applications.
 Stepper motors come in many different sizes and
styles and electrical characteristics.  
 Permanent Magnet Motors

 A permanent magnet motor is a type of

brushless electric motor that uses permanent
magnets rather than winding in the field.

 Permanent magnet motors are more efficient than

induction motor or motors with field windings for certain
high-efficiency applications such as electric vehicles.

 Permanent magnet motors rely on neodymium.

 Hysteresis Motors

 Hysteresis motor is defined as a synchronous

motor that is having cylindrical rotor and works on
hysteresis losses induced in the rotor of hardened
steel with high retentivity.

 It is a single phase motor and its rotor is made of

ferromagnetic material with non magnetic support
over the shaft.
Hysteresis Motors Applications

They are widely used in:

 Sound producing equipments
 Sound recording instruments
 High quality record players
 Timing devices
 Electric clocks
 Teleprinters