4/6/24, 3:59 PM Effect of Load Change on a Synchronous Motor

Effect of Load Change on a Synchronous Motor

Electronics & Electrical Electron Digital Electronics

In induction motors and DC motors, when the mechanical load attached to the shaft of the
motor is increased, the speed of the motor decreases. The decrease in the speed reduces
the back EMF so that additional current is drawn from the source to carry the increased
load at a reduced speed. But, this action cannot take place in a synchronous motor, since
it runs at a constant speed (i.e., synchronous speed) at all loads.

For a synchronous motor, the armature current per phase is given by,

V − Ef Er
Ia = = . . . (1)
Zs Zs

When we apply the mechanical load to a synchronous motor, the rotor field poles slip back
in space slightly behind the stator field poles (as shown in Figure-1), while the motor
continuing to run at synchronous speed. In this process, the angular displacement
between the stator and the rotor poles (called torque angle (δ) measured in electrical
degrees) causes the phase of excitation voltage (Ef) to increase with respect to the supply
voltage (V). This increases the resultant voltage (Er) in the armature winding of the motor.
Hence, from Eqn. (1), it is clear that the armature current (Ia) increases to carry the load.

Also, the excitation voltage (Ef) is proportional to ωφ, thus, it only depends upon the field
current and the speed of the motor. Since the motor is running with a constant speed and
since the field current is also constant, the magnitude of the excitation voltage (Ef)
remains constant with change in the load on the shaft of the motor.

If the load on the motor further increases, then the torque angle (δ) also increases, i.e.,
the rotor field poles lag behind the stator field poles by a greater angle (see Figure-2), but
the motor continues to run at synchronous speed. The increase in the torque angle (δ)

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4/6/24, 3:59 PM Effect of Load Change on a Synchronous Motor

causes a greater phase displacement of the excitation voltage (Ef) with respect to the
supply voltage (V). This increases the result voltage (Er) in the armature winding of the
machine. Consequently, the armature current (Ia) increases to meet the load demand as
seen from Eqn. (1).

Again, if the mechanical load on the shaft of the synchronous motor decreases, the torque
angle (δ) also decreases. This causes the phase of excitation voltage(Ef) to decrease with
respect to the supply voltage (V). As a result, the resultant voltage(Er) in the armature
winding decreases and hence the armature current (Ia).

Conclusion
When the load on a synchronous motor is increased, then

The motor continues to run at synchronous speed

The torque angle (δ) increases.

The magnitude of the excitation voltage (Ef) remains constant

The armature current (Ia) drawn from the supply increases.

When the load on a synchronous motor is decreased, then

The motor continues to run at synchronous speed.

The torque angle (Ia) decreases.

The magnitude of the excitation voltage (Ef) remains constant.

The armature current (Ia) drawn from the supply decreases.

Also, there is a limit to the mechanical load that can be applied to a synchronous motor. As
the load on the motor is increased, the torque angle (δ) also increases till a stage is
reached when the motor is pulled out of synchronism and the motor is stopped.

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