Efficiency of a

Synchronous Machines
Efficiency of a Synchronous Motor

• The efficiency of a synchronous motor is the ratio of output mechanical power P o

Efficiency, η = Pout / Pin
η = (Pin – Plosses) / Pin
% Efficiency, η = (Pin – Plosses) / Pin x 100%
• The efficiency of a synchronous motor depends on losses. As speed is constant, so
are the magnetic losses. Therefore the efficiency depends on the connected load.
• A synchronous motor can have a maximum efficiency of around 90% making it
the most efficient motor.
Efficiency of a Synchronous Machines
Losses in Synchronous Motor
• The output mechanical power of a motor is always less than the input electrical
power. The energy is wasted in various parts of the machine in the form of heat. It
reduces the efficiency of the motor.
• The losses in the synchronous motor can be classified into the following
categories
a) Copper Losses
b) Iron and Core Losses
c) Rotational and Frictional Losses
• Copper Losses
• The copper losses (also known as electrical losses) are the losses that occur in the
copper windings due to the current and winding resistance. That is why it is also
known as I2R losses. If occurs in both stator and rotor of synchronous motor.
 Efficiency of a Synchronous Machines
Copper losses in stator Stator: It occurs due to the input AC current and stator winding resistance in the
form of heat. It is given by
Pstator = (Istator)2 (Rstator)
Where
Pstator = power loss in stator
Istator = input stator current (armature winding)
Rstator = resistance of stator (armature winding)
• Copper losses in Rotor : the rotor loss is relatively smaller than stator loss due to the small DC rotor
current flowing through the field winding. It is given by
Protor = (Irotor)2 (Rrotor)
Where
Protor = Power loss in rotor
Irotor = DC rotor current (field winding)
Rrotor = Resistance of rotor (field winding)
• Brush Loss: Similarly the brush loss is also considered copper I 2R losses that account for rotor losses
given by
2
 Efficiency of a Synchronous Machines
Iron and Core Losses ( Magnetic Losses)
The core losses or iron losses (also known as magnetic losses) are losses that occur in the core or the
iron parts of the synchronous motor due to the magnetic property of the material. These losses are
classified into two types
a. Hysteresis Loss
b. Eddy Current Loss
Hysteresis Loss: it occurs due to the magnetization and demagnetization of the ferromagnetic core
due to changing magnetic field. A ferromagnetic material does not have the ability to suddenly change
its magnetization. During a magnetic reversal, it gradually demagnetizes whereas the applied magnetic
field reverses rapidly. A chunk of applied power is used in the demagnetization of the core.
This is known as hysteresis loss given by
Phys = ηBmax1.6 f V
Where
Phys = Hysteresis losses
η = Hysteresis coefficient
Bmax = Maximum flux density
f = Supply frequency
Efficiency of a Synchronous Machines
Eddy Current Loss: Eddy current loss occurs due to the current induced in the core of the synchronous
motor. As we know, a varying magnetic field induces a current in a conductor and the core is made of iron
which is a good conductor. The induced current is called Eddy current that circulates in the core, thus
wasting the power in the form of heat known as Eddy current loss.
Peddy = ke B2 f2t2V
Where
Peddy = Eddy current losses
Ke = Eddy current coefficient
Bmax = Maximum flux density
f = Supply frequency
t = Thickness of lamination
V = Volume of the magnetic material
• The Eddy current loss is reduced by laminating the core. The core is designed of thin sheets with
lamination between them to reduce the induced (Eddy) current.
Efficiency of a Synchronous Machines
Rotational and Frictional Losses (Mechanical Losses)
• The rotation and friction losses (also known as mechanical losses) occur between the stationary
and moving parts of the machine. These are constant losses as the rotor speed is constant in a
synchronous motor. There are two types of mechanical losses in a synchronous motor.
• Friction Losses: In a synchronous motor, friction losses occur in the bearings due to the friction
between the rotating part and stationary body. It is given by
Pfriction = k N Where ‘k’ is constant and ‘N’ is the speed in RPM
• Windage Losses: the windage losses occur due to the friction between the rotating parts
and air. It is given by
Pwindage = k N3
where N is the speed

Windage losses increase with the cube of speed and also depend on the design of the
rotor. A salient pole rotor has higher windage losses due to its protruding poles. Therefore
speed is taken into account while designing the rotor.
Efficiency of a Synchronous Machines

• Stray Losses
• The difference between the total loss and actual loss is known as stray losses. These are the
miscellaneous small losses that occur in a synchronous motor due to various reasons but they
cannot be easily accounted for such as flux distortion, non-uniform current distribution in the
armature, etc. It is taken as 1% or 0.01 of the total losses.
• P stray = 1% P total losses = 0.01 x P total_losses
Power Flow Diagram for Synchronous
Motor
• Input electrical power Pin is supplied to the synchronous motor, the
output mechanical power Pout is the actual power delivered by the
synchronous motor. The electrical and mechanical losses waste the
power and reduce the actual power delivered by the motor.
Efficiency of a Synchronous Motor
The input power per phase is given by
Pph = VIa cosφ
The total 3-phase input power to a star-connected synchronous motor is given by
Pin = √3 VL IL Cos φ
Pin = 3 Vph Iph Cos φ
Where
VL = Line Voltage
IL = Line Current
Vph = Phase Voltage
Iph = Phase Current
Efficiency of a Synchronous Motor
Gross Mechanical Power Developed
• The gross mechanical power Pm is the power generated in the rotor. It is
calculated by subtracting the stator windings loss from the input power .
Pm = Pin – Pstator
Pstator = 3 Ia2 Ra
Where ‘Ia’ and ‘Ra’ is the armature current and resistance.
Pm = √3 ILVL Cos φ – 3 Ia2Ra
Output Mechanical Power
• The output power is the actual mechanical power delivered to the shaft and eventually to the load. It
is calculated by subtracting the magnetic, mechanical and stray losses from the mechanical power
such as
• Pout = Pm – Pmagnetic -PMechanical
Power Flow Diagram for Synchronous
Motor
• Motors receive electrical power at the armature as their inputs and
deliver mechanical power at the shaft of the machine. For the power
flow diagram, the electrical power is input at the left. The copper
losses are subtracted, leaving the developed power in the middle.
• The developed power is represented in the equivalent circuit of the
synchronous motor . From the developed power, we subtract the
friction and windage, core, and stray losses to find the output
mechanical power.
Generator Power Flow
• The synchronous generator has two power inputs, mechanical power at the
shaft and electrical power to the field, and one output, electrical power to a
load. As shown the mechanical power is input at the left side of the diagram.
• Rotational losses are mechanical in nature and are thus subtracted from the
mechanical power. This includes not only friction and windage but, by
convention, stray losses and core losses also.
• The power input to the field and the rotor losses are shown at the center.
These two quantities essentially cancel each other. The remaining power is
transformed into electrical power, and this quantity is called the developed
power.
Generator Power Flow
• Thus, the power in the controlled voltage source of the equivalent
circuit represents the developed power. From the developed power,
we subtract the copper losses in the machine windings to obtain the
output power of the generator.
Thank you