DATE:

Experiment no:

RETARDATION TEST
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:
 Retardation test

AIM: To measure the moment of inertia (J) of a separately excited dc motor using
Retardation test.

APPARATUS:

1) DC shunt motor(220V DC,2.75 A,7 HP,940 r.p.m)

2) Rheostat: 145Ω, 2.8A (1 no); 50Ω, 8.5A (2 nos.)
3) Voltmeter: 0-300V DC
4) Ammeter:0-10A DC
5) Tachometer
6) Stopwatch
7) DPST
8) Connecting wires

THEORY: Moment of inertia can be calculated if dimensions and weights of various

parts of the load and motor are known. It can also be measured experimentally by
retardation test.
In retardation test, the drive is run at a speed slightly higher than rated speed and
then the supply to it is cut off. Drive continues to run due to kinetic energy stored in it
and decelerates due to rotational mechanical losses. Variation of speed with time is
recorded.
At any speed ωm, power consumed in supplying rotational losses is given by
P = Rate of change of kinetic energy



=    = 

 


From retardation test dωm/dt at rated speed is obtained. Now drive is reconnected to
the supply and run at rated speed and rotational mechanical power input to the drive
is measured. This is approximately equal to P. Now J can be calculated from above
equation. Main problem in this is that rotational mechanical losses cannot be
measured accurately because core losses and rotational mechanical losses cannot
be separated. In view of this, retardation test on a dc separately excited motor or a
synchronous motor is carried out with field on. Now core loss is included in the
rotational loss, which is now obtained as a difference of armature power input and
armature copper loss. In case of a wound rotor induction motor, retardation test can
be carried out by keeping the stator supply and opening the rotor winding
connection.
OBSERVATIONs:

a)Free running

N(rpm) t(secs)

b)Ra=1.3Ω

N Va Ia T Ea P ωm
(volts) (ampere) (sec) (volts) (watts)

CALCULATIONS:

Formula:

1) E=Va - IaRa
 
2) ωm=

3) P=EIa
 J can be determined more accurately by obtaining speed time curve from the
retardation test as above and also rotational losses v/s speed plot. Using these two
plots, rotational losses v/s time plot can be obtained, e.g. for time t1, ωm1 is found
from the retardation plot. Then for this speed rotational loss P1 is obtained from the
plot of rotational loss v/s speed and plotted against t1. Area A enclosed between the
rotational loss v/s t plot and the time axis(shaded area), is the kinetic energy
dissipated during retardation test. If initial speed of the drive during retardation test
was ωm0 then
1
  = 
2 

PROCEDURE:

1) Connect the circuit as shown in fig.

2) Initially keep the armature resistance at maximum and field at minimum.
3) Adjust armature and field so that motor should run at rated speed.
4) Disconnect the motor from supply and field ON.
5) Measure the time as the motor speed starts decreasing in steps.
6) Now, again start the motor by connecting its supply as given in step 2 and 3.
7) Measure the motor terminal voltage. As well as armature current.
8) Now decrease the armature voltage. With the help of rheostat in armature
circuit without any change in field in steps.
9) Measure voltage and current.
10) Measure armature resistance of motor.

CONCULSION: