DATE

26/09/2016

TITLE
Experiment 4: Three phase Cage motor parameters from No load and Locked rotor tests.

OBJECTIVES
Determining the equivalent circuit for the three phase induction motor using No load test and
Blocked Rotor test.

INTRODUCTION
In this lab experiment we observe two types of test to measure the induction motor circuit
parameters. These tests are,

 No Load Test
 Blocked Rotor Test
No Load Test

- This test is similar to the open circuit test of the transformer, which is used to evaluate the
resistance and impedance of the magnetizing path of induction motor. It is performed
when rotor rotates with synchronous speed and there is no load torque. This test gives the
information regarding no-load losses such as core loss, friction loss and windage loss.
Rotor copper loss at no load is very less that its value is negligible.
Blocked Rotor Test

- Also called as the short circuit test this experiment can find the short circuit current at
normal voltage, power factor on short circuit, total leakage reactance, and starting torque
of an induction motor. Low voltage is used when conducting the test due to the current to
the stator windings would be high enough to overheat the windings and damage them if
the applied voltage was normal voltage.

Finding the parameters of the equivalent circuit of the Induction Machines are crucial when
considering advanced control techniques (i.e. Vector Control). There for by using the above two
tests we can find the uncertain parameters of an induction motor when the machine is released
from production.

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THEORY
nsync−n𝑚
S (Slip) =
nsync
No Load Test

- The test is performed by applying balanced rated voltage on the stator windings at the
rated frequency. The small power provided to the machine is due to core losses, friction
and winding loses. Machine will rotate at almost a synchronous speed, which makes slip
nearly zero.

On this test,
S=0
When S 0
R2 become large.

Figure 1: Equivalent Circuit for No-Load Test.

Therefore,

Zm = R1 + j (X1 + Xm)
𝑉∅
= |Zm| ≈ X1 + Xm 1 , {X1 + Xm >> R1}
𝐼∅

Locked Rotor Test

- Rotor is at the stand still, while low voltage is applied to stator windings to circulate
rated current. Since there is no rotation slip,

S=1
Therefore,
𝑅2
= R2
𝑆

2
 Figure 2: Equivalent Circuit for Locked rotor Test.

Pin = Input Power

PSCL = Stator Coper Loss
PRCL = Stator Coper Loss
Pcore = Motor Core loss
Pf&w = Friction & windage losses
Figure 3: The power flow diagram of the three-phase induction motor.
PStray = Stray losses
VL, IL, VØ & IØ has their usual meanings.
Bellow equations will be used to calculate RC of the circuit.

1. 𝑍LR = (𝑅1 + 𝑅2) + 𝑗(𝑋1 + 𝑋2)

𝑉Ø
2. |𝑍LR | =
𝐼Ø

3. Pin = √3 VL IL cos 𝜃

𝑃𝑖𝑛
4. 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1
√3 𝑉L 𝐼 L

5. 𝑃in = 𝑃SCL + 𝑃core + 𝑃f&w , {PRCL = 0, PStray = 0 – due to no rotation}

6. 𝑃SCL = 3𝐼2L 𝑅1

7. Assuming that 𝑃core = 𝑃f&w & using equation for Pin in(5.)

𝑃in − 𝑃SCL = 2 𝑃core

3
 2
Pin− PSCL 3 𝑉1
8. = , from this equation we can find RC.
2 𝑅𝑐
2
6 𝑉1
𝑅𝑐 =
Pin− PSCL
By using the equation for ZLR in (1.) we can calculate R1, R2 , X1 & X2.

𝑅𝑒(𝑍LR) = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2

By using the multi meter we can measure R1, therefor we can calculate R2 from the above
equation.

𝑅2 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑍LR) − 𝑅1
From the bellow equation and the equation (1) derived in the No Load Test we can calculate X1,
X2 & Xm

𝐼𝑚(𝑍LR) = 𝑋1 + 𝑋2

For this lab experiment we have assumed 𝑋1 = 𝑋2 , ignoring the class of the motor.
𝐼𝑚(𝑍LR)
𝑋1 = 𝑋2 =
2

APPARATUS

 Labvolt Setup
o Squirrel cage Induction Motor
o Dynamometer
o Data acquisition unit
 Computer

4
PROCEDURE
No-Load Test

 First the circuit was connected as show in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Motor connection diagram.

 Next the panel terminals 1, 2 & 3 were used to connect the motor as STAR connection.
o Ensured the timing belt is uncoupled from the magnetic brake. Switched ON the
power supply and apply 415V (line to line) to the labvolt controller and started the
motor and allowed it to warm up for about five (5) minutes.
 Then the line to line voltage, line current and total input power were measured.
 Finally the motor was switched OFF, disconnected the stator windings and measured the
resistance of each stator winding.

Locked Rotor Test

 First the locking device was connected to motor pulley (when the power switch is OFF)
after opening the front panel of motor.
 Next the power switch was turned ON and the variance output voltage was adjusted until
the input current was the rated current of 0.46 A.
 The line to line voltage, line current, total input power and power factor quickly were
measured as there is no motor cooling.
 Finally the motor was switched OFF.

5
OBSERVATIONS
Table 1: Parameters for the Induction motor

PARAMETER MEASURED VALUE

Synchronous Speed 1500 rpm
Rotor Speed 1395 rpm
Rated Current 0.46 A
Rated Power 175 W
Rated Voltage 415 V
Frequency 50 Hz
Number of Poles 4

No-Load Test
Table 2: Measured values for No-Load test.

PARAMETER MEASURED VALUE

E1 - Line Voltage 395.5 V

E2 - Line Voltage 395.7 V
IA - Line Current 0.239 A
IB - Line Current 0.229 A
IC- Line Current 0.232 A
Measured Power 21.18 W

Table 3: Measured values of each stator winding resistor.

Resistance of each stator MEASURED VALUE

winding
R1 ’ 47.5 Ω
R1’’ 47.5 Ω
R1’’’ 48.0 Ω Figure 5: No-Load test Readings.

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Locked Rotor Test
Table 4: Measured values for Locked Rotor test.

PARAMETER MEASURED VALUE

E1 - Line Voltage 119.3 V
E2 - Line Voltage 120.3 V
IA - Line Current 0.459 A
IB - Line Current 0.462 A
IC- Line Current 0.459 A
Measured Power 57.81 W
Power Factor 0.606

Figure 6: Locked Rotor test Readings.

CALCULATIONS

 No-Load Test
(𝐼A + 𝐼B + 𝐼C)
𝑽L = 𝐸1 + 𝐸2 𝑰L = 2
(395.5+395.7)𝑉 (0.239 + 0.229 + 0.232)𝐴
= =
2 3
= 395.6 𝑉 = 0.233 𝐴

For a Star connected 3 phase induction motor,

𝐼L = 𝐼Ø 𝑉L = √3 𝑉Ø

𝑉∅
= |Zm| = X1 + Xm
𝐼∅
395.6 𝑉
= 𝑋1 + 𝑋 m
√3×0.223 𝐴

𝑋1 + 𝑋m = 1024.21 Ω 1

7
 (47.5+47.5+48.0)Ω
Resistance of a stator winding 𝑅1 =
3

= 47.67 Ω 2

 Locked Rotor Test

(𝐼A + 𝐼B + 𝐼C)
𝑽L = 𝐸1 + 𝐸2 𝑰L = 2
(119.3 + 120.3)𝑉 (0.459+0.462+0.459)𝐴
= =
2 3

= 119.8 𝑉 = 0.460 𝐴

𝑉L 119.8 𝑉
𝑉Ø = =
√3 √3

= 69.16 𝑉

𝑉Ø
|𝑍LR | = = (𝑅1 + 𝑅2) + 𝑗(𝑋1 + 𝑋2)
𝐼Ø

69.8 𝑉
|𝑍LR | = 0.46 𝐴

= 150.36 Ω

From Table 4 measured values,

𝑃in = 57.81 𝑊 & Power factor - cos 𝜃 = 0.606
Therefore,
𝜃 = cos −1(0.606)
= 52.70°

𝑍LR = 150.36 Ω ∠52.70°

𝑍LR = (91.12 + 𝑗119.61) Ω 3

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 𝑅2 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑍LR) − 𝑅1 {Using equation 3 }

𝑅2 = 91.12 Ω − 47.67 Ω

= 𝟒𝟑. 𝟒𝟓 Ω

Assuming that 𝑋1 = 𝑋2,

𝐼𝑚(ZLR)
𝑋1 = 𝑋2 =
2
119.61
𝑋1 = 𝑋2 = {Using equation 3 }
2

𝑿1 = 𝑿2 = 𝟓𝟗. 𝟖𝟏 Ω

From equation 1 & value taken for X1,

𝑋1 + 𝑋m = 1024.21 Ω

𝑋m = 1024.21 Ω − 𝑋1
= (1024.21 − 59.81) Ω
= 𝟗𝟔𝟒. 𝟒 Ω

𝑃SCL = 3𝐼2L 𝑅1
= 3 × (0.46 𝐴)2 × 47.67 Ω
= 30.26 𝑊

2
6 𝑉1
𝑅𝑐 =
Pin− PSCL
6 × 119.82 𝑉
=
57.81 𝑊−30.26 𝑊
= 𝟑𝟏𝟐𝟓. 𝟔𝟕 Ω

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RESULTS
Table 5: Final Calculated Results.

PARAMETER CALCULATED VALUE

𝑅1 47.67 Ω
𝑋1 59.81 Ω
𝑅2 43.45 Ω
𝑋2 59.81 Ω
𝑅C 3125.67 Ω
𝑋m

Figure 7: Approximated equivalent circuit.

DISCUSSION
 No-Load Test
At No-Load test conditions, rotor rotates nearly at the synchronous speed making the Slip of the
motor nearly zero.

- No-load slip is not exactly zero, as at zero slip no emf will be induced at rotor and thus
motor will not work as friction and windage loss will stop the machine. (Anon., 2016)

Due to the slip being nearly zero, the rotor current will be very low. The power generated by this
small value of rotor current is used up in overcoming frictional and windage loss.

Looking at Figure 1, we can see that RC resistor has been removed from the No-Load circuit.
This is due to RC >>> Xm. Therefore we assume that all the current of the circuit flows though
Xm & the current flow through RC is nearly zero.
An alternative way of measuring R1 – The DC Test,

- To perform this test, a DC voltage is applied to the stator windings of an induction motor.
Because the current is DC, there is no induced voltage in the rotor circuit and no resulting
rotor current. Also, the reactance of the motor is zero at direct current. Therefore, the
only quantity limiting current now in the motor is the stator resistance, and that resistance
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 can be determined the current in the stator windings is adjusted to the rated value, and the
voltage between the terminals is measured.
- The current in the stator windings is adjusted to the rated value in an attempt to heat the
windings to the same temperature they would have during normal operation .The current
in flows through two of the windings, so
the total resistance in the current path is
2R1. Therefore,

Figure 8: DC Resistance test.

(Anon., 2011)

 Locked Rotor Test

At Locked Rotor test conditions, the rotor barely rotates. Therefore the slip of the motor
approximately equals to 1 (nm = 0). Due to slip = 1 the output load R2 will be maximum. Also
because of RC + Xm >>> R2 + X2 current will not flow through RC & Xm. Therefore all the
current coming through R1 & X1 will flow through R2 & X2, hence we get the circuit shown in
Figure 2.
We have assumed that Rotor copper loss & stray losses are approximately zero & core losses and
Friction losses are approximately equal to derive an equation to calculate the value of RC
theoretically. Although in practically the core losses & Friction losses are nearly zero due to low
current flow through core resistance RC and the Locked rotor. But stator cupper losses and the
rotor cupper losses are reasonably high.
The actual distribution of the total leakage reactance between the stator and the rotor is typically
unknown but empirical equations for different classes of motors (squirrel-cage motors) can be
used to determine the values of X1 & X2.
Table 6: Blocked Rotor Leakage Reactance Distribution

Motor Reactance Distribution

X1 X2
Squirrel-cage Class A 0.5 0.5
Squirrel-cage Class B 0.4 0.6
Squirrel-cage Class C 0.3 0.7
Squirrel-cage Class D 0.5 0.5
Wound rotor 0.5 0.5
(Anon., 2016)

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CONCLUSION
Using these two test we have calculated the parameters of the induction motor circuit. It is safe to
say that except to RC, confident results were obtained for other parameter values. Assuming
Rotor coper loss is zero when stator cupper losses and the rotor cupper losses are reasonably high
is a major reason to why the RC value may derive from the actual value.
Since the RC does not play a role in implementing a control for the machine. RC is more
important when it comes to estimating the efficiency of the motor. (Jurkovic, n.d.)
From this experiment students were able to get an idea about three phase cage induction motor
and how to determine parameters from no load test and locked rotor test.
Since the Locked rotor test is done using the rated values the rated frequency values (reluctance)
must be converted to test frequency values which is 50Hz.
Example,
frated
𝑋1 + 𝑋2 = ( 𝑋’1 + 𝑋’2)
𝑓test

Due to the assumptions we made the determined values can be deviated from the real values in
this experiment. But according to obtained values we can conclude that we were able to conduct
all the test successfully in overall.

REFERENCES
Anon., 2011. Sakshat Virtual Labs. [Online]
Available at: http://iitg.vlab.co.in/?sub=61&brch=168&sim=912&cnt=1
[Accessed 05 October 2016].

Anon., 2016. [Online]

Available at:
http://hates.home.anadolu.edu.tr/ders/Enerji%20(G%C3%B6khan%20Hoca'n%C4%B1n%20degil)/8%20
ece3414induction_machines_II.pdf
[Accessed 06 October 2016].

Anon., 2016. Electrical study. [Online]

Available at: http://electricalstudy.net/lesson/no-load-and-full-load-conditions-of-induction-motor/
[Accessed 05 Octocer 2016].

Anon., 2016. http://www.electrical4u.com. [Online]

Available at: http://www.electrical4u.com/blocked-rotor-test-of-induction-motor/
[Accessed 02 October 2016].

Jurkovic, S., n.d. INDUCTION MOTOR PARAMETERS EXTRACTION, s.l.: s.n.

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