AC Machines Lab Manual (2140909)

EXPERIMENT:

Aim: Constructional study of 3Phase Induction Motor

Specific Objectives:

After studying the experiment one should be able to:

Know the function & working principle of 3 Induction Motor.

Classify the 3 Induction Motor according to the construction

Apparatus:

Rationale:

3 Induction Motor
With the almost universal adoption of a.c system of
distribution of electric energy for light and power the field of
application of a.c motors has widened considerably during recent years .
Various types of a.c motors are suitable for all classes of industrial
drives and for both single and three phase a.c supply. While
threephase induction motors have wide application as electrical
machines, single phase induction motors are mostly used for domestic
applications. More than 85 % of the industrial motors is substantially a
constant speed motor, similar to a D.C. Shunt motor. They are called
so,because only the fieldproducing winding (Stator) is connected to the
voltage source, a rotating magnetic field is produced in it , which
induces emf in rotor winding. The emf in the rotor in turn produces
rotor currents . Since there is no electrical connection to the rotor from
the 3phase supply, and the currents in the rotor are set up entirely by
the effect of electromagnetic induction from the stator , hence it is
know as Induction motor.

Constructional features:

An induction motor consists essentially of two main parts.

Stator.
Rotor.

STATOR:

It is an outer stationary, hollow cylindrical structure made of laminated

sheet steel. The laminations are slotted on their inner periphery. In
these slots, a normal three phase winding is placed , which constitutes

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the stator winding. The stator carries a 3phase winding and is feed
from a three phase supply. It is wound for a definite number of poles,
the exact number of poles being determined by the requirements of
speed greater the number of poles lesser the speed and vice versa .
It is observed that the stator windings when supplied with 3phase
currents, produce a magnetic flux, which is of constant magnitude but
which revolves at synchronous speed. This revolving magnetic flux
induces an e.m.f in the rotor by mutual induction.

TYPE OF ROTOR WINDING:

Squirrelcage rotor:

Almost 90% of the induction motors are squirrel cage type, because this
type of rotor has the simplest and most rugged construction imaginable
and is almost indestructible. The rotor consists of a cylindrical laminated
core with parallel slots for carrying the rotor conductors which are not
wires but consists of heavy bars of copper, aluminum or alloys.

One bar is placed in each slot, rather the bars inserted from the end
when semiclosed slots are used. The rotor bars are brazed or
electrically welded or bolted to two end rings, thus giving us what is so
picturesquely called, a squirrel case construction. It should be noted
that the rotor bars are permanently short circuited on themselves
,hence it is not possible to add any external resistance in series with the
rotor circuit for starting purposes. The rotor slots are not quite parallel
to the shaft but are purposely given a slight skew .this is useful in two
ways, as shown in fig 1:

It helps to make the motor run quietly by reducing the magne c hum.
It also helps in reducing the locking tendency of the rotor ,that is
tendency of the rotor teeth to remain under the stator teeth due to
direct magnetic attraction between the two.
In small motors , another method of construction is used .It consists
of placing the entire rotor core in the mould case and casting all the
bars and end rings in one piece. The metal commonly used is an
aluminum alloy. An other form of the rotor consists of a cylinder of steel
with out any conductors or slots at all. The motor operation depends
upon the production of eddy currents in the steel rotor.

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Phase wound or wound rotor :

This type of rotor is provided with three phase, double layer

distributed winding consisting of coils as used in alternators .The rotor
is wound for, as many poles as as the number of stator poles and is
always wound 3phase even when the stator is wound two phase. The
three phases are starred internally. The other three winding terminals
are brought out and connected to the three insulated slip rings
mounted on the shaft with brushing resting on them (fig 2). These three
brushes are further externally connected to a three phase star
connected rheostat (fig3). This makes possible the introduction of
additional resistance in the rotor circuit during the starting period for
starting the torque of the motor, for changing its speed torque /current
characteristics as shown in.

When running under normal conditions the slip ring are automatically
shortcircuited by means of a metal collar, which is pushed along the
shaft and connects all the rings together. Next the brushes are
automatically lifted from the slip rings to reduce the frictional losses and
the wear and tear. Hence, it is seen that under normal running
condition, the wound rotor is shortcircuited on itself just like the
squirrelcase rotor.
Working Principle of a 3 Induction Motor:
When the threephase winding of the stator is connected to the
threephase supply, then the threephase currents in stator winding
produces a rotating magnetic field (or flux,) which rotates around the
stator at synchronous speed (Ns). This rotating flux asses through the
airgap, and cuts the rotor conductors (which are yet stationary). Due to
relative velocity between the rotating flux, and stationary rotor, e..m.f
induced in the rotor conductors. The frequency of induced e.m.f is the
same as the supply frequency, when the rotor is stationary. Since the
rotor conductor circuit is closed, so induced e.m.f is produces rotor
current, which starts flowing in the rotor conductors. Consequently, a
torque producing condition (i.e, currentcarrying conductor placed in a
rotating magnetic field) is established. According to Lenzs law, under
the influence of this torque (a mechanical force), the rotor starts
rotating in the same direction as the rotating magnetic filed. Since the
direction of rotation of rotor as well as the rotating magnetic filed are
the same, so the relative velocity between the two decreases. A
decrease in relative velocity, however, decrease the induced EMF, rotor
current, and consequently, the torque also. But the rotor continuous to
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accelerate, and gain speed, till the developed torque equals losses
torque [noload condition is concerned here.

When motor is loaded, the load torque plus losses torque becomes
greater than the developed torque. Consequently, the motor slows
down. However, a reduction in rotor speed means an increase in
relative velocity as well as rotor current, and hence, the torque
developed also. Thus, the speed to 3phase induction motor varies with
the load, but the speed of the rotating magnetic field remains constant.
Advantage of a threephase induction motor :

1. It is very simple, robust rugged, and capable of withstanding rough

use.
2. It is quite cheap in cost, and reliable.
3. Its maintenance cost is low.
4. Its losses are small, so has sufficiently high efficiency.
5. It is a trouble free motor.
6. Its power factor is reasonably good.
7. It is simple to start, since it has a selfstarting torque.
8. It is equivalent to a static transformer, whose secondary is capable of
rotating w.r.t the primary. Usually, the stator is primary, while the
rotor is secondary. The induction motor operation equally well, if the
rotor is primary, and the stator operation is secondary.

Disadvantage :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Its speed cannot be varied without sacrificing efficiency.

Its speed decreases with an increase in load.
Its starting torque is inferior to D.C. shunt motor.
The starting current is, usually, 5 to 7 times of full load (rated) current.
It runs at lagging power factor, when lightlyloaded

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Question:

1.) Why air gap between stator core & rotor of I.M. is made very small ?
2.) Why the rotor bar in squirrel cage motor are usually skewed ?
3.) Which type of I.M. develops higher starting torque ?
4.) Why I.M. cannot run at the synchronous speed?
5.) Why does the rotor of I.M. rotate in the same direction as the rotating field ?

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