Automatic synchronous motor starter suing polarized field frequency relay

An automatic synchronous motor starter can be used with a synchronous motor to provide automatic
control of the startup sequence. That is, the controller automatically sequences the operation of the
motor so that the rotor field is synchronized with the revolving magnetic field of the stator.

A polarized field frequency relay can be used for the automatic application of field excitation to a
synchronous motor.

ROTOR CONTROL EQUIPMENT

Field Contactor

The field contactor opens both lines to the source of excitation, ill. 1. During starting, the contactor also
provides a closed field circuit through a discharge resistor. A solenoid operated field contactor is similar
in appearance to the standard DC contactor. However, for this DC operated contactor, the center pole is
normally closed. It is designed to provide a positive overlap between the normally closed contact and
the two normally open contacts. This over lap is an important feature because it means that the field
winding is never open. The field winding of the motor must always be short-circuited through a
discharge resistor or connected to the DC line. The coil of the field contactor is operated from the same
direct-current source that provides excitation for the synchronous motor field.

Out-of-Step Relay

The squirrel cage winding, or starting (amortisseur) winding, won't overheat if a synchro nous motor
starts, accelerates, and reaches synchronous speed within a time interval deter mined to be normal for
the motor. In addition, the motor must continue to operate at synchro nous speed. Under these
conditions, adequate protection for the entire motor is provided by three overload relays in the stator
winding. The squirrel cage winding, however, is designed for starting only. If the motor operates at sub-
synchronous speed, the squirrel cage winding may overheat and be damaged. It isn't unusual for some
synchronous motors to withstand a maximum locked rotor interval of only 5 to 7 seconds.

An out-of-step relay (OSR), ill. 2, is provided on automatic synchronous starters to protect the starting
winding. The normally closed contacts of the relay will open to de-energize the line contactor under the
following conditions:

1. The motor does not accelerate and reach the synchronizing point after a preset time delay.

2. The motor does not return to a synchronized state after leaving it.

3. The amount of current induced in the field winding exceeds a value determined by the core setting of
the out-of-step relay.

As a result, power is removed from the stator circuit before the motor overheats.

Polarized Field Frequency Relay

A synchronous motor is started by accelerating the motor to as high a speed as possible from the
squirrel cage winding and then applying the DC field excitation. The components responsible for
correctly and dependably applying and removing the field excitation are a polarized field frequency relay
(PFR) and a reactor

4 Polarized field frequency relay operation.

The operation of the frequency relay is shown in ill. 4. The magnetic core of the relay has a direct-
current coil (C), an induced field current coil (B), and a pivoted armature (A) to which contact (S) is
attached. Coil C is connected to the source of DC excitation. This coil establishes a constant magnetic
flux in the relay core. This flux causes the relay to be polarized. Superimposed on the magnetic flux in
the relay core is the alternating magnetic flux produced by the alternating induced rotor field current
flowing in coil B. The flux through armature A depends on the flux produced by AC coil B and DC coil C.
Coil B produces an alternating flux of equal positive and negative magnitude each half-cycle. Thus, the
combined flux flowing through armature (A) is much larger when the flux from coil B opposes that from
coil C.

In ill. 4(A), the flux from coil B opposes the flux from DC coil C, resulting in a strong flux being forced
through armature A of the relay. This condition is shown by the lower shaded loops of ill. 4(C). One-half
cycle later, the flux produced by coil B reverses and less flux flows through armature A. This is due to the
fact that the flux from coil B no longer forces as much flux from coil C to take the longer path through
armature A. The resultant flux is weak and is illustrated by the small, upper shaded loops of ill. 4(C).The
relay armature opens only during the period of the induced field current wave, which is represented by
the small, upper loops of the relay armature flux.

As the motor reaches synchronous speed, the induced rotor field current in relay coil B de creases in
amplitude. A value of relay armature flux (upper shaded loop) is reached at which the relay armature A
no longer stays closed.

The relay then opens to establish contact S. DC excitation is then applied at the point indicated on the
induced field current wave.

Excitation is applied in the direction shown by the arrow. The excitation is opposite in polarity to that of
the induced field current at the point of application. This requirement is necessary to compensate for
the time needed to build up excitation. The time interval results from the magnetic inertia of the motor
field winding.

Because of the inertia, the DC excitation does not become effective until the induced current reverses
(point O on the wave) to the same polarity as the direct current. The excitation continues to build up
until the motor is synchronized as shown by point M on the curve.

ill. 5 indicates the normal operation of the frequency relay. DC excitation is applied to the coil of the
relay at the instant the synchro nous motor is started. When the stator winding is energized, using
either full-voltage or reduced voltage methods, line current is allowed to flow through the three
overload relays and the stator winding. Line frequency currents are induced in the two electrically
independent circuits of the rotor: (1) the squirrel cage or starting windings and (2) the field windings.
The current induced in the field windings flows through the reactor.

This device shunts part of the current through the AC coil of the frequency relay, the coil of the out-of-
step relay, the field discharge resistor, and finally to the normally closed contact of the field contactor.
The flux established in the frequency relay core pulls the armature against the spacer and opens the
normally closed relay contacts, ill. 5. As the motor accelerates to the synchronous speed, the frequency
of the induced currents in the field windings diminishes. There is, however, sufficient magnetic flux in
the relay core to hold the armature against the core. This flux is due to a considerable amount of
induced current forced through the AC coil of the frequency relay by the impedance of the reactor at
high slip frequency.

At the point where the motor reaches its synchronizing speed (usually 92 to 97 percent of the
synchronous speed) the frequency of the induced field current is at a very low value. The reactor
impedance is also greatly reduced at this low frequency. Thus, the amount of current shunted to the AC
coil is reduced to the point where the resultant core flux is no longer strong enough to hold the
armature against the spacer.
At the moment that the rotor speed and the frequency and polarity of the induced currents are most
favorable for synchronization, the armature is released, the relay contacts close, and the control circuit's
completed to the operating coil of the field contactor. DC excitation is applied to the motor field
winding, ill. 5(B).

At the same time, the out-of-step relay and discharge resistor are de-energized by the normally closed
contacts of the field contactor.

An overload or voltage fluctuation may cause the motor to pull out of synchronism. In this case, a
current at the slip frequency is induced in the field windings. Part of this current flows through the AC
coil of the polarized field frequency relay, opens the relay contact, and re moves the DC field excitation.
The motor automatically resynchronizes if the line voltage and load conditions return to normal within a
pre set time interval, and the motor has enough pull-in torque. However, if the overload and low-
voltage conditions continue so that the motor cannot resynchronize, then either the out-of-step relay or
the overload relays activate to protect the motor from overheating.