Synchronous Motors

• Constant-speed machine
• Propulsion for SS “Queen Elizabeth II”

– 44 MW
– 10 kV
– 60 Hz
– 50 pole
– 144 r/min
 Synchronous Motors (continued)

• Construction

– Stator identical to that of a three-phase

induction motor – now called the “armature”

– Energize from a three-phase supply and

develop the rotating magnetic field

– Rotor has a DC voltage applied (excitation)

 Synchronous Motors (continued)

• Operation

– Magnetic field of the rotor “locks” with the

rotating magnetic field – rotor turns at
synchronous speed
 Cylindrical (Round) Rotor

Constructed from solid steel forging to withstand large

centrifugal stresses inherent in high-speed operation
Used for high speed, low inertia loads (low starting torque)
Salient-Pole Rotor
Excitation Windings
 Salient-Pole Rotor
with shaft-mounted DC exciter
Need carbon brushes to make
contact with the commutator
Salient-Pole Rotor with brushless excitation
 Synchronous Motor Starting

• Get motor to
maximum speed
(usually with no load)

• Energize the rotor

with a DC voltage
The VARISTOR or resistor in shunt with the field winding prevents high
voltage from being induced during locked-rotor and acceleration.
The induced current helps to accelerate the rotor by providing additional
torque.
Brushless Excitation
 How it works

• Frequency-sensitive Control circuit

– Looks at emf induced in the field
– fr = sfs
– At locked-rotor, s=1, fr = fs
– Close SCR1 – block current from field
– Open SCR2 – connect discharge resistor across the
field
 How it works (continued)

• As the speed approaches ns, fr gets small,

fr = sfs approaches 0
– Open SCR2 – disconnects the discharge resistor
– Close SCR1 – allows field current to flow
 Salient-Pole Motor operating at
both no-load and loaded conditions

Angle δ is the power angle, load angle, or torque angle

 Rotating Field Flux and Counter-emf

• Rotating field flux f due to DC current in the rotor.

A “speed” voltage, “counter-emf”, or “excitation”
voltage Ef is generated and acts in opposition to the
applied voltage.
• Ef = nsfkf
 Armature-Reaction Voltage

• Rotating armature flux, ar is caused by the three-

phase stator currents. The induced speed voltage
caused by the flux ar cutting the stator
conductors.
• Ear = nsarka
Armature-Reaction Voltage (continued)

• Ear = nsarka
 ar proportional to armature current Ia
• Ear = (Ia)(jXar)
– where Xar = armature reactance (Ω/phase)
Equivalent Circuit of a Synchronous Motor
Armature (One Phase)

V  I R  I jX  I X  E
T a a a l a ar f

X X X
s l ar

V  E  I (R  jX )
T f a a s

V E I Z
T f a s
Phasor Diagram for one phase of a
Synchronous Motor Armature
 Synchronous-Motor Power Equation

• In most cases, the armature resistance is

much smaller than the synchronous
reactance, so the synchronous impedance
Zs is approximately equal to jXs .
The Equivalent-Circuit and Phasor Diagram

IaXscosθi = -Efsinδ
 The Synchronous-Motor Power Equation

• VTIacosθi = -(VTEf/Xs)sinδ
• VTIacosθi = power input per phase = Pin,1Φ
• -(VTEf/Xs)sinδ = magnet power per phase
developed by a cylindrical-rotor motor (a
function of Ef and δ)
• Pin,1Φ = -(VTEf/Xs)sinδ is the synchronous-
machine power equation
• For three phases,
– Pin = 3(VTIacosθi)  proportional to Iacos θi
– Pin = 3(-VTEf/Xs)sinδ  proportional to Efsinδ