Rotating Magnetic Field Due to 3-Phase Currents

When a 3-phase winding is energized from a 3-phase supply,

a rotating magnetic field is produced.
This field is such that its poles do no remain in a fixed
position on the stator but go on shifting their positions
around the stator.
For this reason, it is called a rotating Field.
The magnitude of this rotating field is constant and is equal
to 1.5 Øm where Øm is the maximum flux due to any
phase and the rotating field rotates with the synchronous
speed Ns = 120f/P, where f = suply frequency and P =
number of poles.
Proof:
Consider three phases R, Y and B are energized from a
balanced 3-phase source and currents in these phases are
indicated as IR, IY and IB.
The fluxes produced by these currents are given by:
ØR =Øm sin ωt
ØY = Øm sin (ωt – 120°)
ØB = Øm sin (ωt – 240°)
Here Øm is the maximum flux due to any phase.
Proof (Contd….)
Consider Instant - 1
Consider Instant - 2
Consider Instant - 3
Consider Instant - 4
Consider a Full Cycle
Speed of rotating magnetic field
The time instant between 1 and 4 represents the completion
of half cycle of alternating current IR.
During this half cycle, the field has rotated through 180°.
At a time instant corresponding to the one complete cycle of
current IR from the origin, the field has completed one
revolution.
Therefore, for a 2-pole stator winding, the field makes one
revolution in one cycle of current.
If f be the supply frequency in Cycles/Second (i.e. Hz.), then
for a 2-pole stator winding, the field makes 60f i.e.,
60f/(2/2) revolution in one minute.
If f be the supply frequency in Cycles/Second (i.e. Hz.), then
for a 4-pole stator winding, the field makes 60f/(4/2)
revolution in one minute.
If f be the supply frequency in Cycles/Second (i.e. Hz.), then
for a 6-pole stator winding, the field makes 60f/(6/2)
revolution in one minute.
If f be the supply frequency in Cycles/Second (i.e. Hz.), then
for a P-pole stator winding, the field makes 60f/(P/2) i.e.,
120f/P revolution in one minute.
So, the speed of the rotating magnetic field is 120f/P
The speed at which the rotating magnetic field revolves is
called the synchronous speed (Ns) i.e., Ns =120f/P