1.

1 AC Motors (lecture No-1)

1.1.1 State the normal supply for three-phase induction motors

 1.1.2 Name the types of motor commonly used on board ships, giving
their applications
There are a lot of applications of 3 phase induction motor, to name a
few
• General applications

1) Electric Train engine

2) Cooling fans used to cool large machines like alternators etc.
3) Chimneys at power plants
4) Printing machines
5) Rolling mills
6) Floor mills

• Motors in Ship Applications

1. Induction motor in pump

2. synchronous motor in Bow thruster
3. D.C motor in deck machinery
4. D.C shunt motor in blowers
5. series motor in cranes
6. induction motor for propulsion
• These 3 phase motor is supplied with 3 three-phase AC supply and is
widely used in ships for heavier loads. 3 phase induction motors are
of two types, squirrel cage and slip ring motors.

• Squirrel cage motors are widely used on ships due to their rugged
construction and simple design, few e.g. of their applications are:

• Lifts
• Cranes
• Large capacity exhaust fans
• Engine Auxiliary pumps
• Engine blower fan motor
• Engine room heavy load pumps –Ballast, Fire, Freshwater, Sea Water
etc.
• Winch motor
• Windlass motor
A three phase induction motor runs on a three phase AC
supply. 3 phase induction motors are extensively used for
various industrial applications because of their following
advantages -

• They have very simple and rugged (almost unbreakable)

construction
• they are very reliable and having low cost
• they have high efficiency and good power factor
• minimum maintenance required
• 3 phase induction motor is self starting hence extra starting
motor or any special starting arrangement is not required
They also have some disadvantages

1) Speed decreases with increase in load, just like

a DC shunt motor.
2) if speed is to be varied, we have sacrifice some of
its efficiency.
Working principle of 3 phase IM (video)

Working Principal of Three Phase Induction Motor - Dragonfly Education.mp4

 ROTATING MAGNETIC FIELD

• When we apply a three-phase supply to a three-phase distributed

winding of a rotating machine, a rotating magnetic field is
produced which rotates in synchronous speed.

• we will try to understand the theory behind the production of

rotating magnetic field. For that, we will first imagine one stator
of an electric motor where three-phase winding is physically
distributed in the stator core in such a manner that winding of
each phase is separated from other by 120o in space.
Working principle of 3 phase IM
 Can N = Ns ?
• When rotor starts rotating, it tries to catch the speed of rotating magnetic field.
• If it catches the speed of the rotating magnetic field, the relative motion between
rotor and the rotating magnetic field will vanish ( Ns – N = 0).

• In fact the relative motion is the main cause for the induced e.m.f. in the
rotor. So induced e.m.f. will vanish and hence there can not be rotor current and
the rotor flux which is essential to produce the torque on the rotor. Eventually
motor will stop.

• But immediately there will exist a relative motion between rotor and rotating
magnetic field and it will start.

• But due to inertia of rotor, this does not happen in practice and motor
continues to rotate with a speed slightly less than the synchronous speed of the
rotating magnetic field in the steady state. The induction motor never rotates at
synchronous speed. The speed at which it rotates is hence called sub synchronous
1.1.3 GIVEN THE ACTUAL COMPONENTS FROM A THREE-PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR,
IDENTIFY:
1.1.1 Construction, principle of operation of 3-phase induction motors

CONSTRUCTION
a 3-phase induction motor has two main parts (i) stator and (ii) rotor. the
rotor is separated from the stator by a small air-gap which ranges from 0.4
mm to 4mm, depending on the power of the motor.
1. Stator:
• Stator
• It consists of a steel frame which encloses a hollow, cylindrical core
made up of thin laminations of silicon steel to reduce hysteresis and
eddy current losses.

• A number of evenly spaced slots are provided on the inner periphery

of the laminations The insulated connected to form a balanced 3-
phase star or delta connected circuit.

• The 3-phase stator winding is wound for a definite number of poles

as per requirement of speed. Greater the number of poles, lesser is
the speed of the motor and vice-versa.

• When 3-phase supply is given to the stator winding, a rotating

magnetic field of constant magnitude is produced. This rotating field
induces currents in the rotor by electromagnetic induction.
 2. ROTOR
The rotor, mounted on a shaft, is a hollow laminated
core having slots on its outer periphery. The winding
placed in these slots (called rotor winding) may be one
of the following two types:

(i) Squirrel cage type (ii) Wound type(slip ring type)

(i) Squirrel cage rotor.
Squirrel Cage Rotor
• It consists of a laminated cylindrical core having parallel slots on its outer periphery.

• One copper or aluminum bar is placed in each slot. All these bars are joined at each
end by metal rings called end rings This forms a permanently short-circuited winding
which is indestructible.

• The entire construction (bars and end rings) resembles a squirrel cage and hence the
name. The rotor is not connected electrically to the supply but has current induced in it
by transformer action from the stator.

• Those induction motors which employ squirrel cage rotor are called squirrel cage
induction motors

• . Most of 3-phase induction motors use squirrel cage rotor as it has a remarkably
simple and robust construction enabling it to operate in the most adverse
circumstances.

• However, it suffers from the disadvantage of a low starting torque. It is because the
rotor bars are permanently short-circuited and it is not possible to add any external
WOUND ROTOR OR SLIP RING
ROTOR
Wound rotor or Slip ring Rotor

• It consists of a laminated cylindrical core and carries a 3- phase winding, similar to

the one on the stator.

• The rotor winding is uniformly distributed in the slots and is usually star-connected.

• The open ends of the rotor winding are brought out and joined to three insulated
slip rings mounted on the rotor shaft with one brush resting on each slip ring.

• The three brushes are connected to a 3-phase star-connected rheostat.

• At starting, the external resistances are included in the rotor circuit to give a large
starting torque. These resistances are gradually reduced to zero as the motor runs
up to speed. The external resistances are used during starting period only.

• When the motor attains normal speed, the three brushes are short-circuited so that
the wound rotor runs like a squirrel cage rotor.
Working principle of 3 phase IM
SINGLE PHASE INDUCTION
MOTOR
• We use the single-phase power system more widely than three phase
system for domestic purposes, commercial purposes and some extent
in industrial uses.

• Because, the single-phase system is more economical than a three-

phase system and the power requirement in most of the houses,
shops, offices are small, which can be easily met by a single phase
system.

• The single phase motors are simple in construction, cheap in cost,

reliable and easy to repair and maintain

• . Due to all these advantages, the single phase motor finds its
application in vacuum cleaners, fans, washing machines, centrifugal
pumps, blowers, etc.
• There are two basic reasons for the use of single-phase motors rather
than 3-phase motors.

1. For reason of economy, most houses, offices and also rural areas are
supplied with single phase a.c, as power requirements of individual
load items are rather small.

2. The economics of the motor and its branch circuit.

 Fixed loads requiring not more than 1 KW can generally be served
most economically with single phase power and a single phase motor.
 Single phase motors are simple in construction, reliable, easy to
repair and comparatively cheaper in cost and therefore, find wide use
in fans, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, other
kitchen equipment, tools, blowers, centrifugal pumps, small farming
appliances etc.
Comparison between Single Phase and Three Phase Induction Motors
• Single phase induction motors are simple in construction, reliable and
economical for small poor rating as compared to three phase induction
motors.
• The electrical power factor of single phase induction motors is low as
compared to three phase induction motors.
• For the same size, the single-phase induction motors develop about 50% of
the output as that of three phase induction motors.
• The starting torque is also low for asynchronous motors/single phase
induction motor.
• The efficiency of single phase induction motors is less compared to that of
three phase induction motors.
• Single phase induction motors are simple, robust, reliable and cheaper for
small ratings. They are available up to 1 KW rating.
Types of Single-Phase Motors

• Single-phase motors are generally built in the fractional-horsepower range and may be classified into the
following four basic types:

1. Single-phase induction motors

(i) split-phase type (ii) capacitor start type
(iii) capacitor start capacitor run type (iv) shaded-pole type

2. A.C. series motor or universal motor

3. Repulsion motors
(i) Repulsion-start induction-run motor
(ii) Repulsion-induction motor

4. Synchronous motors
(i) Reluctance motor
(ii) Hysteresis motor
SINGLE PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR
Working Principle of Single Phase Induction Motor

• NOTE: We know that for the working of any electrical motor whether its AC or DC motor,
we require two fluxes as the interaction of these two fluxes produced the required torque.

• When we apply a single phase AC supply to the stator winding of single phase induction motor,
the alternating current starts flowing through the stator or main winding. This alternating current
produces an alternating flux called main flux.

• This main flux also links with the rotor conductors and hence cut the rotor conductors. According
to the Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction , emf gets induced in the rotor.

• As the rotor circuit is closed one so, the current starts flowing in the rotor. This current is called
the rotor current. This rotor current produces its flux called rotor flux. Since this flux is produced
due to the induction principle so, the motor working on this principle got its name as an induction
motor.

• Now there are two fluxes one is main flux, and another is called rotor flux. These two fluxes
produce the desired torque which is required by the motor to rotate.
• When the stator of a single phase motor is fed with single phase supply, it
produces alternating flux in the stator winding. The alternating current
flowing through stator winding causes induced current in the rotor bars (of
the squirrel cage rotor ) according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic
induction .

• This induced current in the rotor will also produce alternating flux. Even
after both alternating fluxes are set up, the motor fails to start. However, if
the rotor is given a initial start by external force in either direction, then
motor accelerates to its final speed and keeps running with its rated speed.
This behavior of a single phase motor can be explained by double-field
revolving theory.
• Double-Field Revolving Theory

The double-field revolving theory states that, any alternating

quantity (here, alternating flux) can be resolved into two
components having magnitude half of the maximum magnitude
of the alternating quantity, and both these components rotating in
opposite direction.
• Why Single Phase Induction Motor is not Self Starting?
According to double field revolving theory, we can resolve any
alternating quantity into two components. Each component has a
magnitude equal to the half of the maximum magnitude of the
alternating quantity, and both these components rotate in the
opposite direction to each other. For example - a flux, φ can be
resolved into two components
• Each of these components rotates in the opposite direction i. e if one φ m/2
is rotating in clockwise direction then the other φ m / 2 rotates in
anticlockwise direction.
• When we apply a single phase AC supply to the stator winding of single
phase induction motor, it produces its flux of magnitude, φ m. According to
the double field revolving theory, this alternating flux, φ m is divided into
two components of magnitude φm/2. Each of these components will rotate
in the opposite direction, with the synchronous speed, Ns. Let us call these
two components of flux as forwarding component of flux, φ f and the
backward component of flux, φb.
• The resultant of these two components of flux at any instant of time gives
the value of instantaneous stator flux at that particular instant.
• Now at starting condition, both the forward and backward components of
flux are exactly opposite to each other. Also, both of these components of
flux are equal in magnitude. So, they cancel each other and hence the net
torque experienced by the rotor at the starting condition is zero. So, the
single phase induction motors are not self-starting motors.
METHODS OF STARTING 1-PHASE INDUCTION
MOTOR
RESISTANCE SPLIT PHASE I.M
• The stator of a split-phase induction motor is provided with an auxiliary or
starting winding in addition to the main or running winding .
• The starting winding is located 90° electrical from the main winding and the
picture of split phase induction motor and operates only during the brief
period when the motor starts up.
• The two windings are so designed that the starting winding has a high
resistance and relatively small reactance while the main winding has
relatively low resistance and large reactance to be as inductance (the current
delay with voltage) to make shifting current as shown in the schematic
connections .
• Consequently, the currents flowing in the two windings have reasonable
phase difference c (25° to 30°) as shown in the phasor diagram this shifting
in current its necessary for starting torque. Shows typical torque speed
characteristics.
 Operation
• (i) When the two stator windings are energized from a single-phase supply,
the main winding carries current Im while the starting winding carries
current Is.

• (ii) Since main winding is made highly inductive while the starting winding
highly resistive, the currents Im and Is have a reasonable phase angle a (25°
to 30°) between them. Consequently, a weak revolving field approximating
to that of a 2-phase machine is produced which starts the motor.

• (iii) When the motor reaches about 80% of synchronous speed, the
centrifugal switch opens the circuit of the starting winding. The motor then
operates as a single-phase induction motor and continues to accelerate till it
reaches the normal speed. The normal speed of the motor is below the
synchronous speed and depends upon the load on the motor.
 Applications of Split Phase Induction Motor

• This type of motors are cheap and are suitable for easily starting loads
where the frequency of starting is limited. This type of motor is not used for
drives which require more than 1 KW because of the low starting torque.
The various applications are as follows:-

1. Used in the washing machine, and air conditioning fans.

2. The motors are used in mixer grinder, floor polishers.
3. Blowers, Centrifugal pumps
4. Drilling and lathe machine.
CAPACITOR START I.M
• The working principle and construction of Capacitor start inductor motors
and capacitor start capacitor run induction motors are almost the same. We
already know that single phase induction motor is not self starting because
the magnetic field produced is not rotating type.

• In order to produce rotating magnetic field there must be some phase

difference. In case of split phase induction motor we use resistance for
creating phase difference but here we use capacitor for this purpose.

• We are familiar with this fact that the current flowing through the capacitor
leads the voltage. So, in capacitor start inductor motor and capacitor
start capacitor run induction motor we are using two winding, the main
winding and the starting winding. With starting winding we connect a
capacitor so the current flowing in the capacitor i.e Ist leads the applied
voltage by some angle, φst.
• The running(main) winding is inductive in nature so, the current flowing in running
winding lags behind applied voltage by an angle, φ m.

• Now there occur large phase angle differences between these two currents which
produce an resultant current, I and this will produce a rotating magnetic field. Since the
torque produced by these motors depends upon the phase angle difference, which is
almost 90o.

• So, these motors produce very high starting torque. In case of capacitor start
induction motor, the centrifugal switch is provided so as to disconnect the starting
winding when the motor attains a speed up to 75 to 80% of the synchronous speed

• But in case of capacitor start capacitors run induction motor there is no centrifugal
switch so, the capacitor remains in the circuit and helps to improve the power factor and
the running conditions of single phase induction motor.
• Application of Capacitor Start IM and Capacitor Start Capacitor Run
IM

These motors have high starting torque hence they are used in conveyors,
grinder, air conditioners, compressor, etc. They are available up to 6 KW.
CAPACITOR START CAPACITOR RUN MOTOR
• Two capacitors are used in capacitor start capacitor run motor or two
value capacitor motor, one for starting purpose and other for running
purpose.
• Starting purpose capacitor is of electrolytic type and is disconnected from
the supply when the motor attains 75% of synchronous speed with the
help of centrifugal switch S, connected in series with Cs.

• The value of the two capacitors is different. Starting capacitor Cs, which
is electrolytic type, is of high value.
• The capacitor start capacitor run motor gives the best running as well as
starting conditions. Such motors operate as two-phase motors giving the
best performance.
• Starting torque is high, starting current is reduced and gives better
efficiency, better p.f. The only disadvantage is high cost.
• Direction can be reversed by interchanging the connection of supply to
either of the main winding or starting winding.
PERMANENT SPLIT CAPACITOR (PSC) MOTOR
• The Permanent Split Capacitor motor also has a cage rotor and the
two windings named as main and auxiliary windings similar to that of
a Capacitor Start and Capacitor Start Capacitor Run Motor.

• It has only one capacitor connected in series with the starting winding.
The capacitor C is permanently connected in the circuit both at the
starting and the running conditions.

• It is also called as a Single Value Capacitor Motor. As the capacitor is

always in the circuit and thus this type of motor does not contain any
starting switch. The auxiliary winding is always there in the circuit.
Therefore, the motor operates as the balanced two-phase motor. The
motor produces a uniform torque and has noise free operation.
 Advantages of Permanent Split Capacitor Motor

• The Single Value Capacitor Motor has following advantages.

• No centrifugal switch is required.
• Efficiency is high.
• As the capacitor is connected permanently in the circuit, the power factor is high.
• It has a higher pullout torque.

 Limitations of Permanent Split Capacitor Motor

• The paper capacitor is used in the motor as an Electrolytic capacitor cannot be used for
continuous running. The cost of the paper capacitor is higher, and size is also large as compared
to the electrolytic capacitor of the same ratings.
• It has low starting torque, less than full load torque.
Applications of Permanent Split Capacitor Motor

• Used in fans and blowers in heaters and air conditioners.

• Used in refrigerator compressors.
• Used in office machinery.
SHADED POLE INDUCTION MOTOR
 Necessity of Starter
• The Device which is used for starting of 3 phase induction motor is called starters.

• The function of starters is limit a starting high current to a safe value.

• The starter is a safety and a protecting device by which we can control or minimize the
starting current in order to prevent the motor winding of the respective motor.

• Rotor current at stand still condition,

• In a three phase induction motor, the magnitude of an induced e.m.f. in the rotor circuit
depends on the slip of the induction motor. This induced e.m.f. effectively decides the
magnitude of the rotor current. The rotor current in the running condition is given by,

• In induction motor large current at starting is due to the absence of back emf.
• If an induction motor is directly switched on from the supply, it takes 5 to 7 times its full load
current . But it develops a torque is only 1.5 to 2.5 times to full load torque.
• This large starting current produces a large voltage drop in the line, which may affect the
operation of other devices connected to the same line. Hence, it is not advisable to start
induction motors of higher ratings (above 25KW) directly from the mains supply.
• The initial inrush of current is controlled by applying a reduced voltage to
the stator (motor) winding.

• During the starting period and then the full normal voltage is applied when
the motor has run up to speed.

• For the small capacity motors say up to 3HP, normal voltage can be applied
at the start. How ever to start and stop the motor and to protect the winding
from the over load current and low voltages, a starter is required in the
motor circuit.

• In addition to this the starter may also reduce the applied voltage to the
motor at the time of starting.
 Advantages
• Availability of full rated torque at starting
• High line power factor
• Absence of line current harmonics
• Smooth and wide range of speed control

Disadvantages
• Reduced efficiency because of the slip energy is wasted in the rotor
circuit resistance
• Speed changes very widely with load variation
• Unbalance in voltages and current of rotor circuit resistances are not
equal.
Starting of Squirrel Cage Motors
`
• Advantages Auto transformer starter:

1) The autotransformer starter limits significantly the inrush current.

2) It is used for large motors, in which start by direct connection to the network is not
possible. For large motors also the star-delta starter cannot be used, especially if they are
started with a significant load.

3)The most effective ratio of the autotransformer is between 65-80%.

4) Highest torque per ampere of supply current.

5) Motor current larger than supply current.

6) This method is suitable for long starting periods.

7) Adjustment of starting voltage by selection of proper tap on the auto transformer

• Disadvantages Auto transformer starter:

a ) One of its great disadvantages is the limitation of its operation frequency.

It is always necessary to know the operation frequency in order to determine a
suitably rated auto-transformer.

b ) The compensating switch is much more expensive than a Star-Delta starter

due to the auto-transformer.

c ) Due to the size of the auto-transformer starter, much larger control panels
are required which increases the price.
1.1.2 Design features of star and delta motors
• Star connection in a motor
• A three-phase motor will have three coils and it can be connected to the supply and the coil would have
connections in both sides, in the below image we can see the R, Y, and B, it is the coils and they are
connected to the supply and we can also see the three terminals that are interconnected or shorted in
the image. The below image shows the star connection of a motor in this the upper end of the coil is
connected to the supply so the R, Y, B is connected the phase line and the end part of the coil is
connected to each other and because of this connection, the voltage will be zero in this part. In a star
connection, the same ends of the three coils are connected to create a neutral point.

• Star connection is used only when we require less power and it would only give low power when
compared to the delta connection because the three terminals are shorted and it would become neutral.
So there will be three winding in this connection and each winding would get 220 supply. So because
of this, we use star connection for low loads. Star connection is mostly used in places where we require
a neutral point and two separate voltages.
Delta connection of the motor
Delta connection is done for high loads, in the delta connection the terminals are
connected in a different way than the star connection and it is shown in the below image
and we can see that the opposite ends of three coils are connected together. This type of
terminal connection would give 440v to the windings because for each winding there is
two-phase and because of that each winding has 440v and due to this there will an
increase in torque and that’s why delta connection is used for heavy loads. A delta
connection is done where the neutral is not needed.
DIRECT ON LINE STARTER
• It consists of two buttons, GREEN for starting and RED for stopping purpose
of the motor.

• The DOL starter comprises of an MCCB or circuit breaker, contactor and an

overload relay for protection. These two buttons, i.e. Green and Red or start
and stop buttons control the contacts. To start the motor, we close the contact
by pushing Green Button, and the full line voltage appears to the motor.

• Contactor can be of 3 poles or 4-pole. Below given contactor is of 4-pole

type. It contains three NO (normally open) contacts that connect the motor to
supply lines, and the fourth contact is "hold on contact" (auxiliary contact)
which energizes the contactor coil after the start button is released.

• If any fault occurs, the auxiliary coil gets de-energized, and hence the starter
disconnects the motor from supply mains.
 Working of DOL Starter
• The above wiring connection is of DOL starter. The DOL starter connects the 3-
phase main with the motor.

• The control circuit is connected to any two phases and energized from them only.

• When we press the start button, the current flows through contactor coil (Magnetizing
Coil) and control circuit also. The current energizes the contactor coil and leads to
close the contacts, and hence 3-phase supply becomes available to the motor.

• If we press the stop button, the current through the contact becomes discontinued,
hence supply to the motor will not be available, and the similar thing will happen
when overload relay operates, Since the supply of motor breaks, the machine will
come to rest.
• The contactor coil (Magnetizing Coil) gets supply even though we release start
button because when we release start button, it will get supply from the primary
contacts as illustrated in the diagram of the Direct Online Starter.
• Overload Protection When motor draws excessive current to meet the load requirement and If load
requirement goes beyond the rated limit, termed as Overload.

• Overload protection is a type of security when motor draws over current or excessive current and causes
overheating of the equipment. Overload is also the type of over current. So overload relays are employed to
limit the amount of current drawn. But that does not mean that protects the short circuit.

• Fuse or MCB used in the system protects the over current. Overload protection opens a circuit at relatively
low currents that are a little higher than the rating of the motor.

• Overload currents are likely to damage if they persist for a long time, i.e. it will not trip if a high value of
current flows for a short period such as starting of the motor.

• We often provide the overload protection by an overload relay. Overload relays may be solid-state devices
with adjustable trip setting also called as the electronic relay or by interacting with related temperature
sensors called as a thermal relay or if only operates for excess current flow then called as a magnetic relay.

• For most motors, the maximum rating of the overload protection device is 125% of the full load ampere
rating.
 Advantages of DOL Starter
• Simple and most economical starter.
• More comfortable to design, operate and control.
• Provides nearly full starting torque at starting.
• Easy to understand and troubleshoot.
• DOL starter connects the supply to the delta winding of the motor.

Disadvantages of DOL Starter

• High starting current (5-8 times of full load current).
• DOL Starter causes a significant dip in voltage, hence suitable only for small motors.
• DOL Starter reduces the lifespan of the machine.
• Mechanically tough.
• Unnecessary high starting torque

Applications of DOL Starter

• We use the DOL starter where high inrush currents do not cause any harm, like to start small
Torque Equation of 3 phase Induction Motor
TORQUE SLIP(LOAD) CHARACTERISTICS
C .Three Phase Synchronous Motors
General Learning Objectives
• Understand the unique features and principle of operation of
a synchronous motor
• Understand the importance of a synchronous motor for
power factor improvement

Topic 1. Three Phase Synchronous Motors

Sub-Topics:
1.1 Salient Features of Three Phase Synchronous motors
1.2 Load Characteristics and power factor improvement

SIMS Lonavala
Main Features of Synchronous Motor
Following are the characteristic features of a synchronous motor −
• A synchronous motor either runs at synchronous speed or not at
all, i.e., while running, it maintains a constant speed from no-
load to full load.
• The speed of a synchronous motor is independent of load.
• Synchronous motors are not inherently self-starting. Some
auxiliary means have to be provided for starting.
• A synchronous motor will stall if, while running, the load on the
shaft is increased beyond the maximum limit that the machine
can drive.
• A synchronous motor can be made to operate under wide range
of power factor both lagging and leading.
Applications of Synchronous Motor
Synchronous motors are used in the following applications −
• Synchronous motors were primarily used in constant speed applications. But,
with the development of solid-state variable frequency drives like inverters and
cycloconverters has allowed their use in variable speed applications also.
• The synchronous motors are particularly used for low speed (below 300 RPM)
applications because at low speed, the power factor can be adjusted to unity
and hence the efficiency is high.
• An over-excited synchronous motor (called synchronous condenser) can be used
to improve the overall power factor of the plant while carrying their rated load.
• Since a synchronous motor behaves like a variable inductor or a variable
capacitor, it can be used to improve the voltage regulation of transmission lines.
• Power electronic converters generating very low frequency enable us to use the
synchronous motors for ultra-low speed applications such as to drive crushers,
rotary kilns and variable-speed ball mills, etc.
• Some industrial applications of synchronous motors are such as high power and
high speed compressors, blowers, mainline traction, induced and forced draft
fans, servo drives, etc.
Advantages of Synchronous Motor
The synchronous motors have the following advantages −
• It operates at a constant speed (i.e., synchronous speed) from no-load to full-load.
• Power factor of a synchronous motor can be easily controlled by changing the excitation of the
motor.
• For low speed (< 300 RPM) applications, synchronous motors are more economical than
induction motors.
• The synchronous motors have high starting torque as compared to induction motors.
• A single synchronous motor can be used for driving the load as well as correcting the power
factor of the plant.

Disadvantages of Synchronous Motor

Synchronous motors have some disadvantages as well, which are given below −
• Synchronous motors are not self-starting
• Synchronous motors require DC excitation at the rotor.
• The construction of a synchronous motor is more complicated than induction motors.
• Synchronous motors are costlier than induction motors.
1.1 Salient Features of Three Phase Synchronous motors
1.1.1 Construction
1.1.2 Principle of operation
CONSTRUCTION
• A synchronous motor is a machine that operates at synchronous speed
and converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. It is
fundamentally an alternator operated as a motor. Like an alternator, a
synchronous motor has the following two parts:

• A stator which houses 3-phase armature winding in the slots of the

stator core and receives power from a 3-phase supply

• A rotor that has a set of salient poles excited by direct current to form
alternate N and S
poles. The exciting coils are connected in series to two slip rings and
direct current is fed into the winding from an external exciter mounted
on the rotor shaft.

• The stator is wound for the same number of poles as the rotor poles. As
in the case of an induction motor, the number of poles determines the
synchronous speed of the motor: