Logbook for Experiment No.

SM4

Synchronous Motor V-Curves

1. Data Table (Initial data table with signature of instructor is attached) and
graphs

(1) Line Voltage = 240V

Torque = -0.8 N.m
Power  Torque  SynchronousSpeed  0.8  (1500 / 60  2 )  125.66W

If (A) Ia (A) Power Factor

0.2 4.24 0.26 lagging
0.3 3.81 0.29 lagging
0.4 3.25 0.30 lagging
0.5 2.85 0.31 lagging
0.6 2.2 0.39 lagging
0.7 1.8 0.45 lagging
0.8 0.95 0.57 lagging
1.0 0.1 1 lagging
1.2 1.1 0.45 leading
1.4 2.26 0.2 leading
1.6 3.44 0.1 leading
1.8 4.4 0

(2) Line voltage = 250V

Torque = -2 N.m
Power  Torque  SynchronousSpeed  2  (1499 / 60  2 )  313.9W

If (A) Ia (A) Power Factor

0.2 4.42 0.35
0.4 3.44 0.4
0.6 2.39 0.51
0.8 1.1 0.75
1.0 0.8 0.99
1.2 1.7 0.71 leading
1.4 2.58 0.39
 1.6 3.5 0.23
1.8 4.4 0.19

(3) Line voltage = 250V

Torque = -2.75 N.m
Power  Torque  SynchronousSpeed  2.75  (1499 / 60  2 )  431.7W

If (A) Ia (A) Power Factor

0.2 4.6 0.4
0.4 3.5 0.48
0.6 2.6 0.59
0.8 1.9 0.8
1.0 1.1 0.98
1.2 1.9 0.81 leading
1.4 2.6 0.51
1.6 3.5 0.35
1.8 4.5 0.25

(4) Line voltage = 250V

Torque = -3.4N.m
Power  Torque  SynchronousSpeed  3.4  (1500 / 60  2 )  534.1W

If (A) Ia (A) Power Factor

0.2 4.72 0.42
0.4 3.51 0.5
0.6 2.75 0.62
0.8 2.1 0.81
1.0 1.7 0.97
1.2 2.0 0.89 leading
1.4 2.7 0.6
1.6 3.68 0.41
1.8 4.68 0.3
2. Calculation and Plotting
(1) Plotting
Armature current against field current:
5

4.5

3.5

3
Procedure 1
2.5 procedure 2
armature current (A)
2 procedure 3
Procedure 4
1.5

0.5

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
field current (A)

Power factor against field current:

1.2

0.8

0.6 procedure 1
Power factor Procedure 2
procedure 3
0.4
Procedure 4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
Field Current (A)

(2) Calculation
Calculate the power output for each curve

Procedure 1:
Power  Torque  SynchronousSpeed  0.8  (1500 / 60  2 )  125.66W
Procedure 2:
 Power  Torque  SynchronousSpeed  2  (1499 / 60  2 )  313.9W
Procedure 3:
Power  Torque  SynchronousSpeed  2.75  (1499 / 60  2 )  431.7W
Procedure 4:
Power  Torque  SynchronousSpeed  3.4  (1500 / 60  2 )  534.1W

3. Discussion
(1) Comment on the advantage and disadvantage of the synchronous motor

Advantage: The synchronous motor rotates at a constant speed and the

speed is independent of the load. It can be used to improve the power factor
of some highly inductive circuit so the voltage drop caused can be reduced. 

The disadvantage is it cannot self-start without auxiliary equipments. Its

structure is also more complicated than induction motor hence it is heavier
and more expensive.

(2) Comment on the graph based on the theory

At constant power, when the field current is large, the motor is over-excited
and the armature current is leading and proportional to the field current.
When the field current is small, the motor is under-excited and the armature
current is lagging and inversely proportional to the field current. Between the
over-excitation and under-excitation, there is a point at which the power
factor is approaching to unity. So from theory we can induce that the shape of
If-Ia curve should be like a ‘V’ and the shape of If-p.f. curve should be like an
inverse ‘V’. Also, as the load increases, the curve should be shifted upward.
The curves based on the experimental data have verified the theoretical
expectation.

(3) Explain what is meant by a synchronous capacitor and what its major
applications are?

Synchronous capacitor refers to an over-excited synchronous motor, which

operates at a leading power factor. Its major application is for power factor
correction. For example, it can be used across inductive load in power system
to supply parts of the reactive vars required by the load so reactive vars
transmitted over the line is reduced which is good to voltage drop control.
(4) What will happen if the synchronizing is done at the wrong instant, i.e. when
lamp L3 is not completely dark?

It will cause disturbance to the power system. Also, there may be severe short
circuit current flowing in the machines’ windings due to the relatively internal
impedances, hence causing mechanical or electrical damage to the machine.