38 8 IEEF: TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, VOL.
1, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1975
Effect of Unbalanced Voltage on the Operation
of Polyphase Induction Motors
R. F. WOLL,
Abstract-Three-phase electric power systems generally provide
voltage supply at the generating station that is well balanced in
both magnitude and displacement. For varying reasons, however,
some degree of voltage unbalance occurs at the point of utilization,
and, depending upon the amount of unbalance, this can have an
adverse effect upon the operation of polyphase induction motors.
A major cause of unbalanced voltage at the point of utilization is
that single-phase loads on a system are not uniformly applied to
all three phases. This is particularly true for some rural electric
power systems, and it can also occur in large urban power systems
where heavy single-phase demands are imposed by facilities such
as extensive shopping plazas. A large manufacturing plant may
have well balanced incoming supply voltage, but unbalance can
develop within the plant from its own single-phase power require-
ments if these are not uniformly spread among the three phases.
Regardless of the cause, unbalanced voltage is harmful to three-
phase induction motors. The paper to follow concentrates upon
that aspect of unbalanced voltage.
PERATION of polyphase induction motors on un-
'Jbalanced voltage can cause such serious ill effects
as overheating and reduction in output torque. The mag-
nitude of these ill effects is directlv related to the degree of
voltage unbalance. Sectioni 14.:34 of National Electrical
MWanufacturers Association (NEMIA) Standard AIMG1-1972
[1] gives some excellernt genieralities aid guidelines on this
topic. The purpose of the present paper is to provide nmore
detailed informatiorn oni unbalanced voltage operation,
together with specifies oII understanding and calculating
its effects.
The ill effects of unbalaanced voltage oni polyphase in-
duction inotor operation steml from the fact that the un-
balanced voltage breaks dow-ni inito tw-o opposinig coin-
ponenits: 1) a positive sequence conlponent that produces
tlle wvanted positive torque but generallv of lesser miiagni-
tude than the niornmal torque output from a balanced
voltage supply and Awith somiewvhat higher than normal
motor losses because the positive sequeniee voltage is
usually lower thani rated voltage (in overall effect, sinmilar
to operation at reducedl voltage); and 2) a negative
sequence coimiponent that produces unwanted negative
(subtracting) torque; all of the motor power required to
produce this torque goes directly inlto loss that mnust be
absorbed bv the motor. As the amount of unbalance in the
voltage inereases, the positive seqcuenice voltage decreases
Paper TOD)-74-57, approved by the Petrleuim and Chemical
Indust.rv Committee of the IEEE Ind(itistryv Applieation;s Society
fo(r presentation at the 1973:, IlEE Petroleum and Chemical Ini-
dust rv Coniferen ce, Hlotustoin, Tex., Sept ember 10-12. M\anuscript Curve N shows the negative sequence speed-torque curve
released for puiblicatiotn Jtune 28, 1974.
The author is witlh the M\Iediumi Mlotor an.d Grearinig Division, similarly derived from curve B but reversed and based on
WTestiglnghoIise Ellectric Corporation, Buffialo, N. Y. 114240.
IA-l1, NO.
FELLOW, IEEE
and the negative sequence voltage increases. Both of these
changes are increasingly detrimental to successful motor
operation.
Having stated the broad generalities of what unbalanced
supply voltage does, we can niow move into a quantitative
analysis of the condition and relate the specifics of motor
operation to any given unbalanced supply voltage. The
first step is to determine the positive and negative sequence
voltages produced by any unbalanced supply voltage. This
is done through the use of symmetrical components and
probably can be best explained by working out some
specific examples.
Let us first exanmine the easier case Nwhere the three-
phase supply voltage is balanced in displacemnent but un-
balanced in magnitude. Assume the phase voltages are
Ea = 286 V, Eb - 244 V, and Ec = 23,2 V, each 120° apart
in phase displacement. This is depicted vectoriallv in
Fig. 1, rith line voltages Eab = 460 V, Eac = 450 V, and
Eb, = 413 V as computed by the trignometric law of
cosines. Fig. 1 also shows that the positive seqluence phase
voltage equals 2t54 and inegative sequence phase voltage
equals 16.3, these being computed by the synmmetrical
components relation shown in Appendix I. In addition,
Fig. I shows the percent NE1IA unbalance comiputed from
the relation given in [1]:
percent voltage unbalance
100 X maximum deviation from average voltage
average voltage
w here the voltages involved are the nmore readily imieasured
line-to-line values. In this; specific example, the average
liine voltage is 441 aind thie iimiaximiluIm-l (ldeviation froImi
average is 28 V, resultinig in 635 percent unbbalance.
Fig. 2 showNs the resultant family of speed-torque curves
associated with a typical nmotor operating uinder the un-
balanced voltages given in Fig. 1. These curves are based
on the phase voltage relations, curve B showing the normal
speed-torque curve of the motor operating at a balanced
phase voltage of 266 (applicable to the normal balanced
utilization line voltage of 460). Curve P shows the positive
sequence speed-torque curve derived fromii reducing the
torques of curve B in the square of the ratio of the positive
sequence voltage to the normal voltage; that is,
curve P = curve B X (254/2266)2.
operation at 16.3 inegative sequence volts instead of 266
WOLL: POLYPHASE INDUCTION MOTORS 39

a
w
w
a-
U,

0
z
0
I
z
ob
(n

(POSITIVE SEQUENCE 0 VOLTS = 254)

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
(NEGATIVE SEQUENCE 0 VOLTS = 16.3)
% FULL LOAD TORQUE

NEMA UNBALANCE = 6.35% Fig. 4.

Fig. 1.
normal balanced voltage. The negative sequence torques in
the range of from about +60 percent to +100 percent
TYPICAL MOTOR SPEED-TORQUE CURVES synchronous speed are appreciably less than the simple
FOR UNBALANCED VOLTAGE OPERATION
+ 100 -- -
(16.3/266)2 relation because in this range the motor is
operating at quite high frequencies (120 Hz. at + 100 per-
80- cent synchronous speed) and the resultant increase in
motor reactance limits the torque output in this range.
w
60
Incidentally, curve N is not drawn to true torque scale in
this range because, with the relatively small scale of Fig. 2,
curve N would virtually disappear into the zero torque line
, 20-- -- --t 1
at these speeds. Finally, curve R is the actual resultant
o
z motor speed-torque curve operating at the Fig. 1 set of
:
I
cD 50 100 5
% F. L. TORQUE
I, ~200 250
unbalanced voltages. It is simply the vector sum of curves
z 20
N II
- -- - -- -
P and N.
(n
.o 40-- Note the torque reductions resulting from this degree of
voltage unbalance. 1) The breakdown torque has dropped
- - - --j +--I-
60 -- from about 240 percent for the balanced voltage to about
- 217 percent for the unbalanced voltage. 2) The locked-
80 ---
-t-- --+-- rotor torque has dropped from about 192 percent balanced
-100 --
-----t- L -J to about 168 percent unbalanced.
Fig. 2. Now let us see what happens when the same magnitude
of voltage unbalance is also accompanied by unbalanced
displacement as depicted vectorially in Fig. 3. The line
voltages are Eab = 472 V, Eac = 450 V, and Eb, = 402 V,
again conmputed by the law of cosines. The positive se-
quence phase voltages are 253, obtained from the sym-
metrical components relations of Appendix II and worked
NEMA out by x and y components in Appendix III. The negative
UNBALANCE
8.85 %
sequence phase voltages are 23.3, obtained from the
symmetrical components relations of Appendix IV and
worked out by x and y components in Appendix V. Fig. 3
also shows the percent NEM\IA unbalance of 8.85 percent
computed from the unbalanced line voltages in the same
manner as described for Fig. 1. The family of speed-torque
POSITIVE
SEQUENCE
curves for the unbalanced voltage condition of Fig. 3 is
253v
Ebn '
Ean not drawn but will duplicate those shown in Fig. 2, except
Ecn that curve P will have nminutely lower torques, curve N
NEGATIVE SEQUENCE
2 3.3v
Nill have about twice as much torque, and curve R will
have slightly less torque.
Ebp
To evaluate the effect on motor losses and heating, refer
Fig. 3. to Fig. 4. This depicts the upper portion of Fig. 2 buit
drann to a much larger scale for clarity and using the
40 I1i;I: TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1975

speed-torque relations applicable to Fig. 3, where the mag-
nitude and displacement of the applied voltage are both
unbalanced.
Let us examine Fig. 4 more closely. For nornmal balanced
voltage operation at 100 percent torque output, the motor
will operate at point b on curve B. Under the given con-
dition of voltage unbalance, resultant operationi is at point
r on curve R. Insofar as the miiotor itself is concerned,
however, operation is at point p on curve P and point n
on curve N.
The rotor loss in a nmotor is proportional to the product
of slip and torque at the point of operation. Thus, for
normal balanced voltage, the rotor loss is proportional to
the product of slip and torque at point b, or 3.1 X 100 =
310. For operation under the given condition of voltage
unbalance, the positive sequence rotor loss is proportional
to the product of slip and torque at point p, and the nega-
tive sequence rotor loss is proportional to the product of
slip and torque at point Thus the total rotor loss with
'n.
the unbalanced voltage is
positive sequence 3.5 X 102 = 35 7
negative sequence 196.5 X 1.10 = 216
total 57 3.
increase in tenmperature rise will be approximlately twAo
timnes the square of the percenitage voltage unbalanice."
The spread between the heating and loss curves of Fig. 5
is attributable to a condition known as "thernmal creep."
For a very slight increase in loss, motor heating (tempera-
ture rise) wNill have an identical degree of increase; but, as
losses increase mnore sharply, motor heating increases still
more sharply. For example, assume motor losses are 50
percent more than normial. The temperature rise ill show
mnore than a 50 percent increase because the resistaiice is
higher due to the iniereased temperature, and the addi-
tional I2R loss will shove the motor losses up above the 50
percent inierease level. In turn, this will cause another
incremental tenmperature increase and still another incre-
miental loss increase until equilibrium is finally reached at
an operating temperature notably higher than one might
expect fronm the initial increase in loss. I have checked out
a few points on Fig. 5, and the thermnal creep phenomenon
does in fact just about account for the spread between the
INCREASE IN MOTOR LOSSES & HEATING
VS
VOLTAGE UNBALANCE
100

The ratio of unbalanced to balanced voltage rotor loss is

573/310 = 1.85, or 85 percent mnore rotor loss unider this 80 _
condition of voltage unbalance, defined as 8.85 percent
unbalance in NEMIA terms. 0
Let us return to the previous case of unbalanced magni- z 60 _t
tude w,ith balanced displacenment of Fig. 1. Under this un- 0, 4C0-_ _
balanced condition, the total rotor loss still at 100 percent
output torque is _-_

positive sequence 3.5 X 102 = 357

0 2 4 6 8 10
negative sequence 196.5 X 0.055 = 108 % VOLTAGE UNBALANCE
(NEMA TERMS)
total 465
and 465/310 = 1.50, or 50 percenit more rotor loss here, Fig. 5.

which is 6.35 percent unbalance in NEMIA ternms.

Since the stator loss in an induction motor will essen-
tially follow the same proportionality as the rotor loss for
operation in the normal w-orking portion of the motor w

speed-torque curve, we inow have two points from which to

rough out a curve of motor loss versus NEAMA percent J
voltage unbalance: 1) the point developed in preceding -J

paragraph that 6.35 percent unbalance causes 50 percent ,

increase in losses, and 2) the point developed previously

that 8.85 perceint unbalance causes 85 percent increase in UJ
w

losses. -j

These two poinits are plotted on the motor loss curve of

Fig. 5 and yield a consistent relation for nmotor losses as a
function of percent voltage unbalanice. A mlotor heating 0 2 3 4 5
curve as a function of perceint voltage unbalaince is also % VOLTAGE UNBALANCE (NEMA TERMS)
plotted on Fig. 5, taken fromi the relation cited in [1]: Fig. 6. Relative insulation life versus percent voltage unbalance.
"In the phase with the highest current, the percentage Mlotors operating continuously at 100 percent load in 400 ambient.
 UWOLL: POLYPHASE INDUCTION MOTORS 41

heating and loss curves. The motor heating curve on Fig. 5, APPENDIX I
then, is a meaningful function of motor heating versus For cases wvhere 30 voltages are balanced in displace-
percent voltage unbalance. ment but unbalanced in magnitude, the components are
Thus, I have used it as the basis for plotting Fig. 6 to for positive sequence
illustrate the seriousness of other than quite moderate Ep = (Ea + Eb+ Ec)/3
voltage unbalance. This figure depicts relative insulation
life (based on life-temperature relations in [2]) for and for negative sequence
motors operated continuously with unbalanced voltage [( Eb _EC)+, <1b 2 EC) 2 1/2 3
and at 100 percent load. Curves are shown for motors wvith KEEn - +
- ) (iPEb -N)1/3.
1.0 and 1.15 service factor, and w-ith classes B and F
insulation systems having normal B and F temperature APPENDIX II
rises. Motors with 1.15) service factor will yield about
normal (1.0) relative insulation life if operated at 100 per-
cent load wNith voltage unbalance not exceeding 3.5 to 4
percent. With load retained at 100 percent, they may be
subjected to about 4.5 percent voltage unbalance and i ~~~~I
still have 0.5 relative insulationi life, which is the same life
expectancy 1.15 service factor motors have if operated at EC~ 1 240°
115 percent load Nith perfectly balanced voltage. Note ri
the extended relative insulation lives these motors have if Eb

operated at 100 percent load and balanced voltages.

By looking now at the curves for motors with 1.0 service
factor, it can be seen that a very serious loss of insulation Eb
life can be expected even with voltage unbalance as low as
2 percent. Positive Sequence: Eap = 1j/3(E,a -+ aEb + a2E',) in vec-
Froni the informatioii presented, it is obvious that un- tors, where Ea = original E,a aEb= original Eb rotated
balanced voltage is quite detrimental to successful motor 1200 counterelockwise from its original position, and
operation. Any significant voltage unbalance notably a2lE = original EC rotated 2400 counterclockwise fronm its
reduces the margin motors possess under usual service original position. Each of the three-phase positive sequence
conditions and can be more harmful than moderate components is equal in inagnitude and spaced 120° apart
sporadic overloading, high ambients, restricted ventila- in same phase relation as original voltages.
tion, and other hazards to which motors are exposed. The APPENDIX III
recommendation noted ill [1] is indeed a very worthwrhile
caution: "While the voltages shotuld be evenly balanced P051/TVE .5EQuLNca Y x. f Y COORD/I4TES
as closely as cani be read onl the usually available com-
mercial voltmeter, it is reconmnmenided that anyr voltage
unbalance at, the mnotor termlinals not exceed 1 percent.."
REFERENCES
[11 NETMA Standard MG11-14.34.
[2] R. F. Woll, "Comparison of application capabilities of 'U' anid
'T' rated motors," this issue, pp. :34-37.
[3] --, "Unbalanced voltage anid wotud-rotor motords," Engieer,
Westinighouise Electric (Corp., Afy 1944.1

This paper descriibes oper ationi at, extr eme r aniges of voltage ayD
unbalaniced t.o produice, in. combination with varyinig external
resist,ance in the wouind-rotor cireiit, virtuta,lly an infiniite varietv
of speed-torquie char acteriistics fr om a giveni motor. Amnong t,he Ea + 286 cos3S = 234 + 286 r/'#,35--+ i&4
possible speed-torquie cutrves are onies that have substantially less
thani synchronous xpeed at nIo load. A barely perceptible indicat,ioni
of this characteristic is evidenit, by noting in Fig. 4 of the current
a E. t1 24+cos 5e*= * 2'I Sin
+z24 S0p° S +I22
paper that cuirve 1R erosse.s t.he zero torque line jui.st a hair below 100 a2E4 + 23X2. Cos 5'= + Iqo + 32. in 5' =+ 13 3
percent synchronous speed. It shouild be strongly emphasized how-
ever, that the bibliography paper concerned motor.s equiiring uiniqule
speed-torquie characteristics, motorsI that were int-ended for highly
intermittent operation, anid motors havirng the major portioni of the 5(" t635 + 41+q
rotor loss dissipated in the rotor circtuit externlal to the inotor where
it did not contribute to motor lieatitig.
*. Eop U
Y3 6.5 + 419q)

R. F. Woll (SM'58-F'71), for a photograph and biography please =-3- - 2 53 VO/7Ls

see page37 of this issue.
4'2 I4IEE TRANSAC'TIONS (ON INDLTSTRY APPLICATIONS. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1975
APPENDIX IV APPENDIX V

I
N
I 2ko
\
120'
N-
/
/
/

i Es,
NAEA Tl VE - SE QUENC E:
~:/3(Ef asE+E¢)
Eqn n vec*or5, w,0ere
Ea origin/ E, E or/ina/ rota ,ce
Z#0° cow n er io k wire from Mr oriy4.f posoi
c

and aEc - Ec roAtyod /20° cocunferc/oc' w/.re

from its original,po iboron. eaci of ,he

-,pha5e neyabive compon #s

lego/in n,agnitwdS and ipaced4 120Otpar-,
is

rf/h phase re/afions reversed from

original/ vo/744 ge.s.