Electric Power Systems Research 125 (2015) 211–219

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Electric Power Systems Research

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/epsr

Comparative performance analysis of a standard three-phase

induction motor and an asymmetric three-phase induction motor fed
from a single-phase network
Prado Wellington a,∗ , Gonçalves de Mendonça Roberlam a , Martins Neto Luciano b,1
a
IFG, Coordenação de Eletrotécnica, Itumbiara, GO, Brazil
b
Laboratório de Máquinas Elétricas, Faculdade de Eng. Elétrica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Campus Santa Mônica, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This paper aims at conducting a comparative study between a traditional three-phase squirrel cage induc-
Received 7 November 2014 tion motor and asymmetrical three-phase induction motor fed by single-phase voltage. For the purpose
Received in revised form 20 February 2015 of this study, two engines with the same power were employed. During the research herein, the authors
Accepted 21 February 2015
investigated the behaviour of various magnitudes for each machine. It was found that the asymmet-
ric motor features a number of advantages over traditional motors, which makes it an excellent choice
Keywords:
when the application requires the drive loads of high power and do not have an available three-phase
Three phase induction motor
supply.
Asymmetrical motor
Performance © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Power factor
Inrush current

1. Introdution production in Brazil is limited to 9193.734 W (12.5 hp)-pumps for

The present-day characteristics of the energy consumer aligned
with financial resource limitations for investment in rural electrifi-
cation programs, have pushed electricity providers towards the use
of single-phase or single-wired energy distribution systems. Char-
acteristics of this type of system are exemplified by; low monthly
kW h consumption; few consumers per m of installed network; low
simultaneous maximum demands.
At present, the development of new techniques for irrigated
plantations as well as the improvement of agricultural products
within the local of production imposes upon rural producers the
need to increase electrical energy consumption, mainly where
maximum demand is concerned. However, with the current avail-
able system being of single-phase means those rural producers
are restricted to the specifications and characteristics of this
system.
The downside to this type of energy distribution used in
electrification of rural properties can be given as; single-phase
electric motors are more expensive, physically bigger and conse-
quently heavier, and more likely to suffer failures. In addition, their
∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +55 064 8134 0812..
E-mail addresses: wellington.prado@ifg.edu.br (P. Wellington),
roberlammendonca@yahoo.com.br (G.d.M. Roberlam), lmn@ufu.br (M.N. Luciano).
1
Tel.: +55 034 3239 4764.
drawing water from deep wells are in their greater part driven by
three-phase motors, which are lighter, cheaper, easier to find on
the market and found in a wider power range.
Therefore, the use of typical three-phase loads, as for example
induction motors with a power range above 9193.734 W (12.5 hp),
is limited only to those rural consumers, where the substitution of
the single-phase network for three-phase has taken place, which
in most cases is financially unfeasible. In this case, an alternative
is to make use of static, rotary or electronic single to three-
phase converters [3–5]. On the other hand, one can look at a
more contemporary solution based on a three-phase asymmetric
induction motor with single-phase feed [1,2,6–10]. These motors
show themselves as extremely advantageous when it comes to
cost, especially when these have their cost estimated from the
pool of three-phase and single-phase motors, where the value
tends to be closer to that of the three-phase of powers greater
than 9193.734 W (12.5 hp). Besides this fact, its yield is practi-
cally equal to that of a three-phase motor of the same power,
with the additional advantage that its power factor is practically
unitary.
In this work the authors propose a more economical and effi-
cient solution for the employment of electric motors on rural
properties. This proposal corresponds in essence to the use of asym-
metric three-phase induction motors, fed by a single-phase system.
Working within this framework, the authors of this study have
as their objective to present an essentially scientific–technical

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2015.02.016
0378-7796/© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
212 P. Wellington et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 125 (2015) 211–219
Fig. 1. Asymmetric three-phase induction motor and stator winding data and the connection design.
study, comparing the performance of a traditional asymmetric
three-phase induction motor with single-phase feed. The studies
were directed in an evaluation of operational performance scenario
of both motors, with emphasis being placed upon yield; start up
time, maximum start up current value and power factor.
2. Asymmetric three-phase induction motor
The asymmetric three-phase induction motor project is estab-
lished from the conventional three-phase induction motor, with
only the stator winding being substituted and preserving the sta-
tor’s magnetic structure and rotor in a squirrel cage. Initially, trials
are carried out on a commercial three-phase induction motor, to
obtain the equivalent circuit parameters, since the equivalent cir-
cuits of the phases for this motor are equal.
Through an initial application of the equivalent circuit param-
eter values it is possible to vary b, c and Cap , where the factors b
and c represent the relationship of the number of turns on phase
a of the stator by the number of turns on phases b and c of the
stator, respectively. Thereby, obtaining the respective values for T,
and maintaining the slippage value to that of the nominal rotation
of the original symmetrical motor. The varied sets of values for b, c
and Cap , which result in T very close or equal to that of the nominal,
are those results which allow one to design the asymmetric motor,
such that in nominal rotation it supplies approximately or exactly
the nominal torque and therefore the nominal power. For every one
of these value sets of b, c and Cap that result in nominal power to
the asymmetric motor, through modelling in the time domain, one
obtains the curves for the torque and rotation in the time function.
Hereby, aimed at adding in steady state the average rotation of the
motor into the nominal rotation value of the original symmetric
motor. Through an analysis of the obtained results, it is possible to
choose from the sets b, c and Cap that which best represents the per-
formance of the motor and as such, one has sufficient elements to
design and construct the asymmetric three-phase induction motor.
The asymmetric three-phase induction motor is based upon
the traditional three-phase induction motor, with a squirrel cage
type rotor and ferromagnetic stator structure, both similar to the
traditional three-phase induction motor. The difference between
the two motors is found in the stator windings. This winding, in
the asymmetric motor has a different number of turns per phase,
therefore maintaining the electrical shift of 120 degrees. Fig. 1a
illustrates the star connection diagram of an asymmetric three-
phase induction motor on a single-phase fed network.
It is necessary here to highlight that the decision to use the
asymmetric induction motor, was based upon the comparative
analysis of its operational performance in relation to the tradi-
tional three-phase motor, besides the economic analysis of the
cost compared to the overall cost of the traditional motor and the
modifications of the network from single to three-phase. Once that
through simulations in the time domain, the prototypes proposed
for this design were built in accordance with the scheme in Fig. 1b.
3. Theoretical analysis
In this item, time domain equations are presented for both
motors. By processing the equations computationally, one can sim-
ulate the working operation of both motors from start-up through
to steady state.
3.1. Mathematical modelling in the time domain
Initially, the equations between the two generic phases i and
j are established, which represent the phases for both motors. In
this manner, one can write the expression. For voltage vi for phase
i [11]:
di
vi = ri × ii + (1)
dt
i = Lii × ii + Lij × ij + Ldi × ii (2)
where: vi , ii , ri , i —are voltage, current, resistance, and the magnetic
flux linkage in the phase i, respectively, Lii , Lij , Ldi —are the induc-
tances for i without mutual dispersion i and j, and with dispersion
i, respectively.
Therefore, now considering j as representing every phase of the
motor, including phase i, expression (2) thus becomes the following
equation [11]:

i = Ldi × ii + Lij × ij (3)
j
In relation to inductance Lij , if one considers only the fundamen-
tal component for the spatial distribution of the magnetic density
flow, which in turns is produced by the circulation of each current ii
 P. Wellington et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 125 (2015) 211–219 213

3.2. Mathematical modelling application of the traditional

three-phase induction

In expression (5), making i and j take on axes a, b, c, A, B, C, one

can write the matricial equation:
d   d [L]

[I]
[V ] = [R] × [I] + [L] × + × [I] (9)
dt dt
Fig. 2. Spatial axes i and j.
where
⎡ ⎤
on its winding, the inductance herein referred to can be expressed ⎡ ⎤ ⎡ ⎤ rE 0 0 0 0 0
by (4), by considering the spatial axes i and j from Fig. 2. Va Ia ⎢0 r 0 0 ⎥
  ⎢ Vb ⎥ ⎢ Ib ⎥ ⎢ E 0 0⎥
Lij = kij × Ni × Nj × cos ˛i − ˛j ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
(4)
⎢ Vc ⎥ ⎢ Ic ⎥ ⎢ 0 0 rE 0 0⎥
⎢ 0 ⎥
where kij —constant characterized by the ferromagnetic circuit [V ] = ⎢
⎢0 ⎥
⎥ [I] = ⎢ ⎥
⎢ IA ⎥ [R] = ⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ 0 0 0 rR 0 0⎥
and the air-gap along with the windings’ constructive data, Ni , ⎣0 ⎦ ⎣ IB ⎦ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥
Nj —number of turns on the windings i and j, respectively, ˛i , ⎣0 0 0 0 rR 0⎦
˛j —spatial angle that localizes the windings’ axes i and j, respec- 0 IC
tively. 0 0 0 0 0 rR
From (1) and (3) one has (5), if one considers the dispersion ⎡ ⎤
LEE MEE MEE LaA LaB LaC
inductance as constant.
  ⎢M ⎥
 ⎢ EE LEE MEE LbA LbB LbC ⎥
di
vi = ri × ii + Ldi × i +
dij dLij ⎢ ⎥
Lij × + ij × (5) ⎢ MEE MEE LEE LcA LcB LcC ⎥
dt dt dt ⎢ ⎥
j [L] = ⎢ ⎥
⎢ LaA LbA LcA LRR MRR MRR ⎥
⎢ ⎥
Expression (5) generically represents all the electrical equations ⎢ ⎥
of the motor, while expressions (6) to (8) represent the mechanical ⎣ LaB LbB LcB MRR LRR MRR ⎦
equations.
LaC LbC LcC MRR MRR LRR
dWR
Tm − Tc = J × (6)
dt
2 dR rE = ra = rb = rc
WR = (7)
p dt rR = rA = rB = rC
where J—inertia moment of gyrating parts, p—number of poles, LEE = Lda + Laa = Ldb + Lbb = Ldc + Lcc
 R —electric angular displacement, WR —electric angular velocity,
Tm—electromagnetic torque, Tc—torque of resistant load. LRR = LdA + LAA = LdB + LBB = LdC + LCC
The electromagnetic torque is given by
MEE = Lab = Lac = Lbc = −0.5 × Laa
p

d[L]

T
Tm = × [ii ] × × [ii ] (8) MRR = LAB = LAC = LBC = −0.5 × LAA
4 dR  
LaA = LbB = LcC = MER × cos R
where [ii ]—current column matrix ii , [ii ]T —transposed matrix for
 
[ii ], [L]—inductances matrix [Lij ]. LaB = LbC = LcA = MER × cos R + 120o
As the two motors under analysis have three-phase windings,  
the axes for their phase windings will be spatially represented by LaC = LbA = LcB = MER × cos R − 120o
a, b, and c, stator phases, and A, B, and C. As both motors to be
analysed possess three-phase windings, and their winding phases The resistances and inductances presented above were obtained
will be spatially represented by a, b, and c, stator phases, and A, B, considering the perfect balance of the stator and rotor phases. In
and C, rotor phases, even though they are squirrel cage rotor motors, particular, those inductances generically represented by Lij , were
as it is common practice to equate a wound rotor equal to that of obtained through (4), while observing the local of the phases axes
the rotor cage. Fig. 3 illustrates these axes, taking as a reference axis in Fig. 2.
a. Expression (9) represents the electric differential equation sys-
tem, leaving them only to be complemented with the mechanical
equations. In order to achieve this, one can first individualize
expression (8) for the case of the traditional three-phase induction
motor, using the results obtained for its inductances. The answer
one can find in the following equation:

p × MER
Tm = − × (Sa × ia + Sb × ib + Sc × ic ) (10)
2

     
Sa = iA sin R + iB sin R + 120o + iC sin R − 120o
     
Sb = iA sin R − 120o + iB sin R + iC sin R + 120o
     
Fig. 3. Axes of the windings. Sc = iA sin R + 120o + iB sin R − 120o + iC sin R
214 P. Wellington et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 125 (2015) 211–219

The matricial Eq. (9) can be modified by introducing the mechan- From (9) and (13) one obtains the inductances for the stator (14)
ical Eqs. in (6), (7), and (10). The result is expressed in (11). and (15).

d    LEi = Lii + Ldi = (k + kd ) × Ni2 (i = a, b, c) (14)

[I ∗ ] d [L∗ ]
[V ∗ ] = [R∗ ] × [I ∗ ] + [L∗ ] × + × [I ∗ ] (11)
dt dt
LRi = Lii + Ldi = (k + kd ) × Ni2 (i = A, B, C) (15)

⎡ ⎤ ⎡ ⎤
Va Ia All the remaining inductances for the asymmetric motor can be
⎢ Vb ⎥ ⎢ Ib ⎥ obtained using (4) and Fig. 2.
⎢ V ⎥ ⎢ I ⎥
⎢ c ⎥ ⎢ c ⎥ Mutual between phases of the stator and rotor (16).
⎢ 0 ⎥ ⎢ IA ⎥
where [V ∗ ] = ⎢
⎢ 0 ⎥
⎥ [I ∗ ] = ⎢
⎢ IB ⎥
⎥
Lij = −0.5k × Ni Nj (i = a, j = b, c) (i = b, j = c)
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ 0 ⎥ ⎢ IC ⎥
⎣ −T ⎦ ⎣W ⎦ (i = A, j = B, C) (i = B, j = C) (16)
c R
0 R
⎡ ⎤
rE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mutual between phases of the stator and another rotor (17) a
⎢0 rE 0 0 0 0 0 0⎥ (19).
⎢0 ⎥
⎢ 0 rE 0 0 0 0 0⎥
 
⎢ 0⎥ Lij = k × Ni Nj cos R (i = a, j = A) (i = b, j = B) (i = c, j = C)
∗ =⎢ 0 0 0 rR 0 0 0 ⎥ (17)
[R ] ⎢
0⎥
⎢0 0 0 0 rR 0 0
⎥
⎢0 0 0 0 0 rR 0 0⎥
⎣ S∗ Sb∗ Sc∗ 0 0 0 0 0⎦  
a
Lij = k × Ni Nj cos R − 120o (i = a, j = C) (i = b, j = A) (i = c, j = B)
0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0
(18)

p × MER p × MER p × MER

Sa∗ = Sa , Sb∗ = Sb , Sc∗ = Sc ,
2 2 2
⎡ ⎤  
[L] [0] [0] Lij = k × Ni Nj cos R + 120o (i = a, j = B) (i = b, j = C)
⎢ ⎥
⎢ [0] ⎥ (i = c, j = A) (19)
[L ] = ⎢ ⎥
∗ J 0
⎢ ⎥
⎣ ⎦
2
[0] 0 The number of phase rotor turns are the same, or be it
p
NA = NB = NC = NR .
With the inductances at hand, one is able to establish the voltage
equations for the motor. By analysing Fig. 1, one is able to produce
The matricial expression (11) represents a system of 8 non-
the following equations:
linear differential equations with the 8 state variable equations:
ia , ib , ic , iA , iB , iC , WR ,  R .
v = va − vc (20)
Using a numerical integration process, the Runge Kutta method
with Matlab it is possible to computationally resolve such a sys-
tem, obtaining a digital simulation of the traditional three-phase vcap = vb − vc (21)
induction motor, under any working condition.
ic = − (ia + ib ) (22)

dvcap 1
=− i (23)
3.3. Application of the mathematical modelling for the dt Cap b
asymmetric three-phase induction motor with single-phase
supply By making i vary in the set a, b, c, A, B, C in (1) and (3), one
obtains the equations va , vb , vc , vA , vB , vC , using the induc-
As the number of phase turns on the asymmetric motor are tances expressed in (12) to (19). In these equations by eliminating
different, the equation should start by obtaining their inductances. ic through (22), and substituting va , vb , vc in (20) and (21), it is pos-
The inductance leakage of each phase can be obtained by (12), sible to establish the electric equations for the asymmetric motor
where kd is the constant that features the magnetic dispersion cir- and produce an integration with (23).
cuit [11]. The mechanical equations are obtained from (6) to (8), by elimi-
nating ic through (22), and using the inductances expressed in (12)
to (19).
Ldi = kd × Ni2 (i = a, b, c, A, B, C) (12) Through a unification of the electric and mechanical equations
into a unique matricial expression (24), one has the non-linear
differential equation system, which mathematically models the
The inductances Lii can be obtained by applying (4) and observ- operation of the asymmetric three-phase induction motor, fed by
ing the axes phase positions as illustrated in Fig. 2. a single-phase voltage system.
d   
[I ∗∗ ] d [L∗∗ ]
Lii = k × Ni2 (i = a, b, c, A, B, C) (13) [V ∗∗ ] = [R∗∗ ] × [I ∗∗ ] + [L∗∗ ] × + × [I ∗∗ ] (24)
dt dt
 P. Wellington et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 125 (2015) 211–219 215

⎡ ⎤
Ia Using expression (25), one obtains the electromagnetic torque.
⎡ V ⎤
⎢ ⎥ p  ∗∗ 
⎢ Ib ⎥ Tm = − × Sa × ia + Sb∗∗ × ib (25)
⎢ Vcap ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ 2
⎢ ⎥ ⎢V ⎥
⎢ 0 ⎥ ⎢ cap ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ 0 ⎥ ⎢ IA ⎥ 3.4. Results for the traditional three-phase induction motor
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
[V ∗∗ ] = ⎢ ⎥ [I ∗∗ ] = ⎢ ⎥ digital simulations with single-phase supply
⎢ 0 ⎥ ⎢ IB ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ 0 ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ In the following, the authors present the graphs for the three-
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ IC ⎥
⎣ −Tc ⎦ ⎢ ⎥ phase induction motor start up, indicating the values of the current
⎢W ⎥
0
⎣ R ⎦ during the start-up period.
Through Fig. 4a the authors present the current on the tradi-
R
tional three-phase motor during the start-up process at full voltage
⎡ ⎤ and in steady state, that allows for the observation that the current
ra + rc rc 0 0 0 0 0 0
⎢ ⎥ on one of the phases reached an single peak value of 300 A and after
⎢ 0 rb + rc 0 0 0 0 0 0⎥ a value of 250 A during the initial start-up of the motor.
⎢ ⎥
⎢ 1 ⎥ In order to gain an improved visual perspective of the maximum
⎢ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0⎥
⎢ Cap ⎥ current values, an amplification of the initial start-up of the three-
⎢ ⎥ phase Induction Motor is given in Fig. 4b.
⎢ 0 0⎥
⎢ 0 0 rR 0 0 0 ⎥ In the following, the authors present graphs for the Asymmet-
[R∗∗ ] = ⎢ ⎥
⎢ 0 0 0 0 rR 0 0 0⎥ ric Three-phase Induction Motor start-up, indicating the current
⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥ values during the start-up period.
⎢ 0 0 0 0 0 rR 0 0⎥ By analysing Fig. 5a, it becomes evident that for the asymmetric
⎢ ⎥
⎢ p ∗∗ p ∗∗ ⎥ motor the current initially reaches a single peak value of 190 A, and
⎢ · Sa ·S 0 0 0 0 0 0⎥
⎣2 2 b ⎦ after falls to around 130 A during the initial start-up period.
In order to gain an improved visual perspective of the maximum
0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0
current values, an amplification of the initial start-up of the three-
   phase Induction Motor is given in Fig. 5b.
Sa∗∗ = kNR {iA × Na sin (R ) − Nc sin R + 120o +
  0
  0

+iB × Na sin R + 120 − Nc sin R − 120 + 4. Experimental comparative results of both motors
  0
 
+iC × Na sin R − 120 − Nc sin (R ) }
The comparison between the traditional three-phase induction
     motor and the asymmetric motor goes through a necessary evalu-
Sb∗∗ = kNR {iA × Nb sin R − 120o − Nc sin R + 120o +
   ation of the electrical magnitudes inherent to the working of such
+iB × Nb sin (R ) − Nc sin R − 120o + devices under diverse operational conditions.
  o
  In order to survey and compare the yield between the motors,
+iC × Nb sin R + 120 − Nc sin (R ) }
a centrifugal ventilator was used as the load for the motors, using
⎡ ⎤ this method it was possible to survey the centrifugal ventilator’s
A11 A12 0 A13 A14 A15 0 0
magnitudes, such as pressure and flow rate, in order that with such
⎢ ⎥
⎢ A12 A22 0 A23 A24 A25 0 0 ⎥ magnitudes at hand one manages to arrive at the same yield as the
⎢ ⎥
⎢ 0 ⎥ centrifugal ventilator.
⎢ 0 1 0 0 0 0 0⎥
This study presents the results of experimental measurements
⎢A ⎥
⎢ 13 A23 0 A33 0 0 0 0⎥ realized in an electrical motor laboratory, employing a traditional
∗∗ ⎢ ⎥
[L ] = ⎢ A 0⎥ three-phase motor and an asymmetric motor both with the same
⎢ 14 A24 0 0 A33 0 0 ⎥
⎢ ⎥ nominal voltage, 14,709,975 W (20 hp) and 380 V, respectively.
⎢ A15 A25 0 0 0 A33 0 0⎥ The original three-phase induction motor carries the following
⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥ data nameplate:
⎢ 0 0 0 0 0 0 J 0⎥
⎣ 2
⎦
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • Model—120 M,
p
• Power—14,709,975 W (20 hp),
  •
A11 = (k + kd ) × Na2 + Nc2 + k × Na × Nc , Frequency—60 Hz,
• Rotation—1760 rpm,
A12 = 0.5 × k × (Nb × Nc + Na × Nc − Na × Nb ) + (k + kd ) × Nc2 • Voltage—220 V/380 V,
   • Current—50A/28A,
A13 = k × NR × Na × cos (R ) − Nc × cos R + 120o
• Protection—IP54,
    
A14 = k × NR × Na × cos R + 120o − Nc × cos R − 120o • Ip /In —8.3,
    • Fs—1.15,
A15 = k × NR × Na × cos R − 120o − Nc × cos (R ) • Isol —B,
  • Category—N,
A22 = (k + kd ) × Nb2 + Nc2 + k × Nb × Nc
     • Regime—S1,
A23 = k × NR × Nb × cos R − 120o − Nc × cos R + 120o • Yield—89.8%,
   • cos —0.86,
A24 = k × NR × Nb × cos (R ) − Nc × cos R − 120o • J—0.0722.
   
A25 = k × NR × Nb × cos R + 120o − Nc × cos (R )
Fig. 6 demonstrates the experimental arrangement employed in
A33 = (1.5 × k + kd ) × NR2 the trials, where both motors drive a centrifugal exhaust fan.
216 P. Wellington et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 125 (2015) 211–219

Fig. 4. Three-phase induction motor start up.

Fig. 5. Asymmetric three-phase induction motor start-up.

The trials were carried out, by taking as a reference the load-
ing factors (percentage values in relation to the nominal load)
of 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% and 120%. For each load, the net power
was measured and consequently so was that for the yield of the
motor/exhaust fan. In order to reach the percentage load values, the
authors employed a methodology through which a damper open-
ing regulated airflow on the centrifugal exhaust fan. The power
of the exhaust fan was determined by measuring the velocity and
air pressure at the equipment’s outlet to measure air velocity was
employed a anemometer, and to measure presure was ultilizado
one manometer type U with a 1% error. In terms of electrical power
consumed by the motor using the authors is an energy analyser,
an error of 1%, which allowed measuring of the following electrical
magnitudes: voltages, currents, electrical powers (active, reactive,
and apparent) power factors. The equipment allows one to register
these magnitudes on a computer in order that future analyses can
be made.

4.1. Global yield analysis: Motor-load

Initially, the authors directed the study towards evaluating the

Fig. 6. Experimental arrangement.
yield for the motor/exhaust fan set.
Table 1a and b presents, respectively, the values obtained from
the experimental measurements, using the traditional and asym-
metric motors.
One notes that a mechanical load increase on the motor axil,
realized through the opening of the damper allowing in air,
 P. Wellington et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 125 (2015) 211–219 217

Table 1
Experimental results three-phase induction motor—standard and three-phase induction motor—asymmetric.

(a) Three-phase induction motor—standard (b) Three-phase induction motor—asymmetric

Current Load (%) RPM Power Motor axis Yield (%) Current Load (%) RPM Power Motor axis Yield (%)
extractor (W) extractor (W)
(W) (W)

IR (A) IS (A) IT (A) IA (A) IB (A) IC (A)

22.6 24.2 23.7 25 1780 910.37 11,154.76 8.16 29.28 35.11 29.29 25 1768 910.37 7788.48 11.69
25.05 26.8 25.9 50 1775 2252.38 12,337.43 18.26 33.01 33.91 30.99 50 1764 2381.08 8780.66 27.12
28.57 30.5 29.1 75 1773 4449.82 14,026.29 31.72 33.88 32.46 33.85 75 1757 4449.82 11,458.22 38.84
32.97 34.3 33.3 100 1770 7967.29 15,802.58 50.42 39.23 30.48 39.22 100 1746 8114.83 14,609.25 55.55
32.59 34.3 34.1 120 1767 8891.78 15,793.38 56.30 40.34 40.33 30.11 120 1740 8891.78 15,022.62 59.19

start-up period, in a steady state load. The study of this magnitude is

Fig. 7. Standard and asymmetric motor yields.
increases the yield of the exhaust fan/motor set in similar fash-
ion. The phase current imbalance is due to the imbalance across
the three-phase voltages from the utility company feed.
One notes that through the results presented herein that the
asymmetric motor/exhaust fan set presents a more satisfactory
yield for the same load conditions, when compared to the standard
exhaust fan/motor set. Fig. 7 shows the values obtained for the yield
of the motor/exhaust fan set, for both experiments carried out.
4.2. Current analysis
In this stage, the authors looked towards evaluating the
behaviour of the electric currents on each motor during the whole
of significant importance as it exerts great influence over the design
of the feeders, protection system and energy loss. The imbalance
observed on the standard three-phase induction motor currents,
were due to the imbalance of the three-phase voltage supply. When
it comes to the asymmetric motor, it is normal for its currents to
be imbalanced. Fig. 8a presents the standard three-phase motor
current, during the start-up process at full voltage in steady state.
In order to gain an improved visual perspective of the maximum
current values, an amplification of the initial start-up of the three-
phase Induction Motor is given in Fig. 8b.
Through an analysis of the figures one observes that the current
from one of the phases reached a single peak of 441.2 A, and after
a value of 250 A, during the initial start-up period of the motor.
In Fig. 9a, one has for the asymmetric motor the oscillogram of
the currents in the three phases for the same load applied to the
standard three-phase induction motor.
For an improved analysis of the maximum current values, the
authors present in Fig. 9b an amplification of the registered result
during the initial start-up of the Asymmetric Three-phase Induction
Motor.
It becomes evident that for the asymmetric motor the current
initially reaches a single peak value of 200 A, and after falls to
around 130 A, during the initial start-up period. One of the main
effects that results from the elevated current values from the
induction motor start-up, is seen in the supply voltage sag, which
reflects across all other loads connected to the same bus. This
is found to be the principal problem linked to energy quality,
which can result in serious economic loss for industry and other
consumers alike. In order to illustrate the effect under the objective

Fig. 8. Direct start-up-three-phase induction motor.

218 P. Wellington et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 125 (2015) 211–219

Fig. 9. Direct start-up-asymmetric three-phase induction motor.

Fig. 10. Voltage sag—three-phase induction motor and asymmetric three-phase induction motor.

of comparing the behaviour of both motors, one Fig. 10, which mechanical. Table 2 presents the power factor values for each of
illustrate the behaviour of the efficient values for the three-phase the motors load conditions.
voltage at motor start-up. One observes that for any load situation the asymmetric motor
One observes through Fig. 10a that the efficient value for the presents a power factor inferior to that presented by the standard
standard three-phase motor feed voltages in neutral-phase suf- three-phase induction motor.
fered sag above 5%.
As one observes from Fig. 10b, the sag was of a lesser intensity, 5. Conclusion
bearing in mind that the start-up currents for this type of motor
were inferior to those for the standard three-phase motor. This work was directed towards the realization of a comparative
analysis of the electrical magnitudes associated with the operation
4.3. Power factor of the traditional three-phase induction motor, also known as the
standard induction motor and the asymmetric three-phase induc-
The consequences of a low power factor are known throughout tion motor. The latter being used as a strategy for driving elevated
the academic community, being that any effort used in decreasing power loads on single-phase networks.
the circulation of this power through the feeders and transformers, The study is itself highly experimental and the results were
and equally increase the energy yield of the electric installations obtained via measurements employing an electric energy analyser
will always be an objective to be reached. Within this context, it is to obtain the electric magnitudes under study. As a mechanical load,
necessary to evaluate the reactive consumption of standard three- the authors used an exhauster of the centrifugal type, whose var-
phase and asymmetric motors, aimed at identifying which presents ied load was realized through regulating the damper. Initially, the
the greater yield in the conversion process of electrical energy into yield of the motor/exhaust set was evaluated with the objective of
checking which strategy is most efficient from the point of view of
Table 2 electric energy consumption. The authors also carried out verifica-
Power factor. tions, which confirmed that for any load situation the asymmetric
Motor load (%) Power factor motor presented superior yield values.
Later analyses worked towards evaluating the electric currents
Traditional Asymmetric three-phase
three-phase induction induction motor absorbed by the motors. The studies were directed to the moment
of steady state start-up. The maximum current value at start-up
0 0.66 0.80
25 0.70 0.90
is important data in the design of the motor installations. One
50 0.71 0.92 observes that the asymmetric motor demands from the electric
75 0.73 0.93 energy network a current value inferior to that of the traditional
100 0.74 0.95 three-phase induction motor. This is a significant advantage, as
120 0.75 0.96
the consequence of a longer start-up can imply voltage sag on the
 P. Wellington et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 125 (2015) 211–219
feed system of greater duration, leading to losses for all consumers
connected to the same network. The magnitude of the voltage sag
caused by the start-up currents was evaluated and presented in
Fig. 10. Once again and as expected, the asymmetric motor has less
of an impact on the system at the moment of start-up.
Following on, the measurements evaluate the power factor for
this equipment. Due to the fact that induction motors are the largest
consumers of reactive power in industrial installations and on util-
ity energy systems, the investigation into which of these motors
presents the most efficient behaviour is of extreme importance.
Table 2 shows that the asymmetric motor possesses a power factor
superior to that of its three-phase motor equivalent.
Lastly, it is worth highlighting that those aspects which give
merit to this work are associated with the fact that the comparisons
realized are built upon experimental results, through measure-
ments of the electrical and mechanical magnitudes based on the
two three-phase induction motors of equal power. The models used
are of the standard or traditional type and the other modified to be
supplied through a single-phase network. This motor is referred to
as an asymmetric motor and comprises of a new option for driv-
ing high power loads in places where only single-phase networks
are available, such as those found in rural installations. In every
demand made upon it, the asymmetric motor showed from the
energy perspective to be more efficient and the effects associated
with start-up on the network were of less intensity than those
observed on traditional three-phase motors.
219
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