EXPERIMENT NO.

1
AIM
To perform no-load and blocked rotor tests on a single phase capacitor
start induction motor and determine its equivalent circuit.
SINGLE PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR
A single phase induction motor has two parts-a stator and rotor (rotor
generally of squirrel cage type).The supply is fed to the stator windings. As
a result of that, a magnetic field is developed on the stator windings. In a
single phase induction motor, there is only single field winding exited with
alternating current and hence a single phase induction motor is not
inherently self-starting since it does not have a true revolving field.
Various methods have been devised to initiate rotation of the squirrel cage
rotor and the particular method employed to start the rotor of single
phase motor will designate the specific type of motor.
There are two theories which explain of no torque at start and yet torque
once started in a single phase induction motor.
a. Cross field theory
b. Double revolving field theory
In our case a capacitor is used to start the motor.
Cross-field theory
The principle of operation of a single-phase induction motor can be
explained from the cross-field theory. As soon as the rotor begins to turn, a
speed emf E is induced in the rotor conductors, as they cut the stator flux
s. This voltage increases as the rotor speed increases. It causes current IR
to flow in the rotor bars facing the stator poles as shown in Fig. 1

A.C Source

cu
rre

rre
cu

nt

nt

s
+

N
+

S
s

Fig. 1 Current induced in the rotor bars due to rotation

These currents produce an a.c flux R which act at right angle to the stator
flux s. Equally important is the fact that R does not reach its maximum
value at the same time as S does, in effect, R lags almost 90o behind S,
owing to the inductance of the rotor. The combined action of s and R
produces a revolving magnetic field, similar to that in a three-phase motor.
The value of R increases with increasing speed, becoming almost equal to
s at synchronous speed. The flux rotates counter clockwise in the same
direction as the rotor and it rotates at synchronous speed irrespective of
the actual speed of the rotor. As the motor approaches synchronous speed,
R becomes almost equal to s and a nearly perfect revolving field is
produces.

Double field revolving theory

The double-field revolving theory explains the fact of no torque at start
and yet torque once rotated in a single phase induction motor. This theory
explains that a sinusoidal flux ( = mcost) at an instant can be
represented by two components of revolving flux 1 and 2 each having
maximum value

m
2

and rotating at synchronous speed in opposite

directions.

Fig: 2-Hypothetical rotation of components of alternating flux

Operation of single phase induction motor by double field revolving theory:Let the alternating flux at the stator winding have hypothetical
component fluxes 1 and 2.Let 1 and 2 rotate in anti-clockwise and
clockwise direction .The flux 1 produces torque T1 in anti-clockwise
direction and flux 2 produces torque T2 in clockwise direction in the
rotor. At standstill, these torques are equal and opposite and net torque
developed is zero. Therefore, a single phase induction motor is not selfstarting .Fig:2 reveals this fact.

Fig: 3:- Torque-slip characteristic of a single phase induction motor

*points to be noted:-Each rotating field tends to drive the rotor in the
direction in which the field rotates.
Now when the rotor is started by spinning or using auxiliary circuit, in say
clockwise direction. The flux rotating in clockwise direction is the forward

rotating flux (f) and that in the other direction is the backward rotating
flux (b).The slip w. r.t .the forward flux is given by
Sf=

Ns N = s
Ns

Where Ns= synchronous speed

N = speed of rotor in the direction of forward flux.

The rotor rotates opposite to the rotation of the backward flux. Therefore,
the slip w.r.t. the backward flux will be
Sb=

N N

= 2-

Ns

Ns N = 2Ns Ns N
Ns

Ns

Ns N =2-s
Ns

Therefore, Sb =2-s
Thus for forward rotating flux, slip is s (less than unity) and for backward
rotating flux, the slip is 2-s (greater than unity). Since for usual rotor
resistance/reactance ratios, the torques at slips of less than unity are
greater than those at slips of more than unity, the resultant torque will be
in the direction of the forward flux. Thus, the motor once started will keep
rotating.

EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF SINGLE PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR

At standstill the equivalent circuit of a single phase induction motor has
exactly similar to that of a transformer on short circuit. The equivalent
circuit at standstill condition is shown in Fig: 4. Rcand Xrepresent the
core loss and magnetizing reactance. r2 and x2 are the resistance and
leakage reactance of the rotor referred to the stator and r1 and x1 are the
resistance and leakage reactance of the stator.

r1

x1

r2
Rc

x2

Fig: 4 -Equivalent circuit of single phase induction motor at standstill.

The air-gap flux can be resolved into two oppositely rotating components.
These components at standstill are equal in magnitude, each one
contributing an equal share to the resistive and reactive voltage drops in
the rotor circuit.
It should be noted that Ef and Eb are proportional to the forward flux f
and backward flux b respectively. Thus,

f Ef

b Eb
Hence, r2 and x2 can be split into two parts, each one corresponding to the
effects of one of the magnetic fields. Ef and Eb are voltages set up by the
two oppositely rotating fields.viz.forward and backward rotating field

respectively. The equivalent circuit considering the effects of forward and

backward flux component is shown in Fig.5

Rc/2

x2/2

r2/2

x2/2

Ef

X/2

V1
Rc/2

r2/2

FORWARD

x1

X/2

Eb

BACKWARD

r1

Fig: 5. Equivalent circuit at standstill showing the effect of forward and

backward flux components.
When the motor is running at a slips, the slip for the forward field is s and
for backward field is (2-s). Hence the resistance in the forward field
becomes (

r'2
r'2
) and in the backward field becomes
.Hence Ef is much
22 s
2s

greater than Eb. The equivalent circuit at any slip(s) is shown in fig.6.
From fig.6.

Pgf= air-gap power of forward field=

I'2f

r'2

2s

W --------------- (1)

I'2b r'2
Pgb= air-gap power of backward field=
2 2 s W ------------ (2)
2

Tf= torque due to forward field=

Pgf

2 n s Nm--------------------- (3)

Tb= torque due to backward field=

x1

r2/2(2-s)

I2b

V1

Rc/2

X/2

x2/2

FORWARD

Ef

X/2

Nm------------------ (4)

r2/2s

I2f

Rc/2

2 n s

x2/2

BACKWARD

Eb

I1

r1

Pgb

Fig: 6. Equivalent circuit of a single-phase induction motor at any slip s.

Net torque, T= Tf -Tb synchronous watts----------------------------------------(5)
Rotor copper loss due to forward field (Pcu(rot.)f) = sPgf---------------------(6)
Rotor copper loss due to backward field (Pcu(rot.)b) = (2-s)Pgb -----------(7)
Total rotor copper loss (Pcu(rot.)) = sPgf+ (2-s)Pgb---------------------------- (8)
Mechanical power developed (=Pm) = (1-s)(Pgf-Pgb).
Thus forward torque Tfis the power in the resistance
torque is the power in the resistance

r'2
.
22 s

r'2
and the backward
2s

POWER STAGES IN INDUCTION MOTOR

Motor
input
in
stator
Pi

Stator Cu
&
Iron
losses

Rotor
input
Pr

Rotor
Cu
loss

Mech.power
developed in
rotor
Pm

Windage
&
Friiction
losses

Rotor
Output
Pout

Fig: 7. shows the block diagram of the power flow in a single phase
induction motor.
*Important points
Stator input, Pi =Stator output +Stator Cu loss
= Stator output+ Stator Iron loss + Stator Cu loss
Rotor input, Pf = Stator output
Gross mechanical power available, Pm = Pr - Rotor Cu loss
Mechanical power at shaft, Pout = Pm Friction and windage loss
Determination of parameters of equivalent circuit
The parameters of the equivalent circuit of a single phase induction motor
can be determined from the no load and blocked rotor test.

BLOCKED ROTOR TEST

In this test a very small voltage is applied to the stator and the rotor is
blocked. (Care is to be taken such that the stator current does not exceed
the f.l. current) The voltage, current and power input to the stator are
measured. When the rotor is blocked, s=1 and hence parallel combination
(

X
x'
r'
Rc
) and ( ) is much greater than ( 2 + j 2 ) (in Fig.6). Therefore
2
2
2
2

under blocked rotor test the equivalent circuit reduces to that Fig: 8. since

X
Rc
) and ( ) are of high values hence can be neglected in the equivalent
2
2

circuit.
Let Vsc ,Isc and Wsc be the input voltage, current and power during blocked
rotor test.

The total resistance (r1+ r'2 ) =

Isc

r1

Isc

=Rsc----------------------------- (9)

Vsc
--------------------------------------------- (10)
I sc

x1

r2/2

forward

Total impedance, Zsc =

Wsc

x2/2

r2/2

backward

Vsc

x2/2

Fig: 8 Equivalent circuit under blocked rotor condition

Hence total reactance (x1+ x2) =

---------------------- (11)

Generally, r1 = r2and x1 = x2. Hence, r1, r2, x1 and x2 can be determined.

NO LOAD TEST
In this test the motor is on no load condition and voltage Vo,current Io and
power Woto the stator are measured. At no load s is very small and core
loss resistance Rc is neglected. Hence from fig: 6, (
than (X/2).Also, r2/2(2-s) (

r2
) is much greater
s

/4) is much smaller than X/2. Therefore

under no load condition the equivalent circuit can be reduced to that

shown in Fig.10. Here, (r2/s) and (X/2)are thus neglected in equivalent
circuit.
No load p.f.(cos) =

Wo
----------------------------------------------- (12)
Vo Io
Io

x1

r1

X
Vo
r2/4

x2/2

Fig: 9 Equivalent circuit under no load condition

Now voltage across (

X
) is
2

r'2
x'2

j x1

Vo Io o r1
4
2

r'2
x'2

Vo Io o r1 4 j x1 2
X

Hence, ( ) =
------------------------ (13)
I0
2

and X can be determined.

PROCEDURE
The experimental setup consists of a capacitor start single phase induction
motor mechanically coupled to the DC separately excited shunt generator.
The loading of the single-phase induction motor is done by electrical
loading of the DC separately excited shunt generator.

Fig: 10- Connection diagram of no-load and blocked rotor test

NO LOAD TEST
1. The specification of the machine under test is noted down.
2. The circuit diagram as shown in Figure: 10 showing the proper ranges
of the ammeteraccording to specification of the machines for both no-load
and blocked rotor test is drawn.
3. The connections as shown in Figure: 10 for both no-load and blocked
rotor test is made.
4. The rated voltage to the induction motor having both main and auxiliary
windingsconnected together through single phase autotransformer (or by

variac) is applied. The auxiliary winding is disconnected automatically by

the centrifugal switch as soon as the motor attained about 60% of the
rated speed.
5. The rated applied voltage Vo, no-load current Ioand input power Po is
recorded.
6. The motor is stopped.

BLOCKED ROTOR TEST

1. The auxiliary winding is disconnected, and a reduced voltage through
the autotransformer to the main winding such that rated load current
flows in the stator main winding is applied.
2. The applied voltage Vs, the rated input full current Is and power Psis
recorded.
3. After performing the blocked rotor test, the DC resistance of the stator,
R1DC is measured.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
SL NO.
1
2
3

NAME OF APPARATUS

RANGE

TABULATION
NO LOAD TEST
Vo

Io

BLOCKED ROTOR TEST

Wo

Vbl

Ibl

Wbl

Experimental result:r1= , x1 = x2 = , X =
PRE EXPERIMENT QUESTIONS
1. Explain the operating principle of single phase induction motor.
2. Why do we need a starter to start single phase induction motor?
3. What are the different types of starter for a single phase induction
motor?
4. Draw the equivalent circuit for the single phase Induction motor.
5. Explain torque-speed characteristic for single phase induction motor in
comparison with that of balanced polyphase induction motor.
6. What is the basic principle behind every rotating machine?
7. Why a single phase induction motor keeps on vibrating without starter?
POST PROCESSING
1. What are the ratings of the various measuring equipments?
2. Compute the parameters of the equivalent circuit.

3. From the equivalent circuit, compute input current, input power,

efficiency,torque and rotational losses when the motor is running from
rated voltage with slip of 5%.