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PLC-Based control system for a three-phase induction motor

Technical Report · December 2015

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 PLC-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A THREE-PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR

B. Coetzer

School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering

North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

Supervisor: Prof R Gouws

November 2015
____________________________________________________________________________________

Executive summary

The industry has changed over the years and makes use of PLCs to control bulk electronic devices. It’s
found that combining these controllers with motor drives such as VFDs, better the efficiency of motors in a
substantial way. South Africa needs more generation capacity like any other country, of which the national
electricity supplier, Eskom, can provide it with. Eskom uses drive systems for process control because of
the energy efficient benefit, and it is quickly becoming the most used method of control in the industry.

Efficiency of motors is at its best around 75% at full-load point, and this is a major problem having a costly
effect on the production of large companies. Drive systems are considered to be the most energy efficient
way of controlling motors. Combining these drives with PLC control can result in great energy efficiency,
which can in turn only benefit the country as well as other countries. Eskom in association with other
suppliers has spent much time and resources on this.

To address this problem, a PLC-based control system was designed for a three-phase induction motor.
The system is designed using a PLC for intelligent control on a three-phase induction motor and DC
generator. The motor is tested on four different control speeds (rpms), of which each of these rpm
reference values are tested on three different load condition provided by the generator. The system was
designed by making use of simulations, assembling the product, and comparing the theoretical results
with the practical results in the end.

The intelligent control system for the three-phase induction motor in combination with the assembled
product turned out to be very effective. The theoretical and practical results were compared and the
system in whole showed positive efficiency results. Eskom with their resources may implement such a
system and will definitely see energy efficient results in the long term. A conclusion and recommendations
are discussed, along with suggested future work on the project.

Project summary
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Project summary

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