Description

Methods for determining polarity magnetic flux in

relation to current flow in straight conductors and
solenoids
circuit operating characteristics
characteristics of the magnetic field produced by
a three phase winding
calculated speed of rotation of the rotating
magnetic field
basic principle of operation, construction and
applications of a three phase induction motor

Description
three phase induction motor connections
reversing the direction of rotation of a
three phase induction motor
equipment and methods for testing the
motor winding resistance and insulation
properties
effects of incorrect wiring a three phase
motor.

Electromagnets
It was discovered that when a current
flows in a conductor, it creates a magnetic
field around the conductor.
The strength of the magnetic field is
proportional to the current.

 The direction of the

magnetic field is set by
the direction of the
current.
The direction can be
found by using the right
hand thumb rule.
The thumb is placed in
the direction of the
current and the fingers
follow the magnet field

 This is can also be shown by looking at

the ends of the conductor.
Cross represents current flowing into the
screen, dot represents current flowing out
of the screen.

Made into a coil

Many have found on the job,
that by placing a conductor
through the jaws of a clamp
meter several times the
reading is increase by a
multiplying the current by the
number of turns.
This would read twice the
current.

 When current flows in a coil, the

resultant magnetic fields around
each conductor combine to
create a magnet.
In this case the magnetic lines
of force are entering the bottom
and leaving the top. This would
make the bottom a south and
the top a north.

Right hand grip rule

Fingers follow the direction of the current
through the coil, and the thumb points to
the north pole.

Three windings 120 apart

3 phase supply 120 apart

Rate of rotation
On a 2 pole per phase machine as shown,
one revolution will occur for every cycle,
on 50Hz, this would make 50 revolutions
per second or 3000rpm.
On a 4 pole per phase machine would
require 2 cycles to complete on revolution,
on 50Hz, this would make 25 revolutions
per second or 1500rpm

 From this we can use the formula

120f
n

n = speed in rpm
f = frequency in Hertz
P = number of poles per phase
(120 is derived from 60 seconds in a minute and two poles per magnet)

A cage is placed inside the rotating

magnetic field

As there is relative motion between

the rotating magnetic field and the
bars of the rotor a voltage is
induced in the bars

As the rotor ends are shorted by

the end ring, a current flows in the
bars, creating a magnetic field

On start
At standstill, also known as locked rotor, the
motor acts like a shorted transformer.
A large current is drawn from the supply
This can be between 6 10 times the normal
operating current.
The current in the rotor creates a magnetic field

Some text quote 6 -8 whilst others quote 8 10 so to simplify we

say 6 -10. We shall use 6 times in most cases in this course.

This magnetic field interacts with

the RMF to create rotation
As the speed of the rotor increases the
relative motion is reduced
Therefore the amount of induced voltage
is reduced
Therefore the current in the bars would be
reduced
At the same time the frequency of the
induced voltage is reducing

 The rotor has resistance and inductance.

As frequency decreases so does XL
When XL = R maximum interaction
between the magnetic fields occurs.
Known as break over or break down
torque

Rotor XL and R determine torque

curve
Rotor XL

Rotor
Frequency

Rotor R

The rotor cannot get to the same

speed as the rotating magnetic field
As the rotor approaches synchronous
speed, the speed of the RMF, the amount
of induced voltage is very low.
Therefore the current is also low
Reducing torque.
Even with no load on the motor, bearing
and windage loss prevents the motor from
achieving Synchronous speed.

The difference between RMF and

rotor
This is known as slip
It is expressed as a
percentage of RMF

nRMF - nROTOR

%s =

nRMF

Different cages give different

curves

Torque, speed and current

Motor connections

Motor windings are placed

diagonally
1-4
2-5
3-6

1-5
2-6
3-4

Delta connection

Star connection

Testing

Check continuity of windings, 1 4, 2 5, 3 6.

Each reading should be identical
Insulation test each winding to earth (500V)
Insulation test between windings (1000V)
Not less than 1M
1

Synchronous motor
A synchronous motor is very simular to an
Induction motor
The stator is identical
The rotor is the only change
Instead of a cage a magnet or an
electromagnet is placed on the rotor

Advantage
By placing a magnet on the rotor the rotor
will rotate at the same speed as the
rotating magnetic field irrespective of load

By increasing or decreasing the

current in the field winding, the
motor input power factor can be
changed, allowing a BMS to control
power factor correction