Objective:

The objectives of this experiment is to observe how a synchronous motor can act as
a variable inductance or capacitance and also observe the field DC current versus
AC line current characteristics for the 3 phase synchronous motor at no load.

Theory:
At no load a motor is supposed to draw very low just to compensate for the
frictional and stray losses. However, this is not a case for synchronous motor. The
speed of a synchronous motor is dependent on the supply frequency and number of
poles per phase. The frequencies of supply mains are maintained constant and as
such the speed of the synchronous motor also remain constant. The speed does not
change loading as long as it remains below the pull out magnitude.
The voltage developed in the stator windings depend on speed, rotor and other
constant parameters of the motor. Now if the rotor field current is varied, the rotor
field flux will also vary resulting in a change in generated voltage. Since the supply
voltage of the mains is kept fixed the total flux in the air gap should remain same as
before. Sufficient current of certain phase angle will flow through the stator
windings to oppose the change in the rotor field and keep the total air gap flux
constant.
For very low field current, the armature current will produce flux in the same
direction as the main field. On the other hand a high field current will force the
armature to draw current to produce flux in opposite direction of the main field.
A leading armature current would produce opposing flux whereas a lagging
armature current will produce adding flux. Hence by varying the field current from
low to high values, the motor current will experience a transition from lagging to
leading.

Equipment list:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Mobile workstation(Model 8110)

Three phase synchronous motor/ generator(Model 8241)
AC Ammeter(Model 8425)
Connection Leads (Model 8951)
Power supply (Model 8821)
Two wattmeters

Procedures:
1.

a) Make connections of the synchronous motor, watt meter, ammeter,

voltmeter, ac and dc power supplies with leads.

b) Turn the voltage adjust control knob to zero position.

2. a) Turn on the power supply. Note that the smoothly and continuous to run as
an ordinary induction motor.
b) Note the meter readings.
I1=

0.5 A ac, If= 0 A dc, V12= 420 V ac, W1= -5 W , W2= 9 W

c) Does the motor draw positive or negative reactive power?

Answer: Negative VAR
The power factor of the motor with zero DC current is lagging.
d) Adjust the voltage control knob in midway position to supply about 100V dc.
e) Close the switch S. Notice that the motor locks into synchronism.
f) Gradually increase the DC excitation until the current I1 is at its minimum
value. Both wattmeter should have equal positive readings.
g) Note the meter readings.
I1=

0.05 A ac, If= 0.25 A dc, V12= 420 V ac, W1=1 W , W2= 1 W

h) Increase the DC excitation and note that the AC current I1 begins to increase
again. The motor is drawing negative reactive power and looks like a capacitor.
3. a) With the DC excitation at 0.1 a dc, measure nd record I1, V12, W1 and W2.
b) Repeat the measurement for each of the DC currents listed.
Take your measurements as quickly as possible when the excitation exceeds 0.4
A dc. Otherwise overheating will damage the field coil.
When the field current drops below 0.3A, turn of the power supply and change
DC ammeter ranges to 300mA.
Restart the synchronous motor and take measurements for field currents below
0.3A.
c) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

4. a) Complete table calculating apparent power, real power reactive power and
power factor.
b) What is range of the field current for which the motor is drawing lagging
current?
If< 0.25 A dc
c) What is range of the field current for which the motor is drawing leading
current?
If> 0.25 A dc

Experimental Data:

Table 1: The table for reading experimental data of synchronous motor at different
field currents.
If(A)

V12(V)

I1(A)

S=(VA)
S=3
V12I1

W1 (W)

W2
(W)

P (W)
=W1+
W2

Q(VAR)
=3(W1
-W2)

PF=
P/S

0.05

420

0.42

305.53

-23

38

15

0.049

0.10

420

0.40

390.98

-22

38

14

0.15

420

0.32

232.78

-19

31

21

105.655
100.458
-86.602

0.20

420

0.25

181.86

-13

22

-60.621

0.049

0.25

420

0.15

109.11

-3

-1

8.6602

0.30

420

0.20

145.49

12

-4

27.712

0.009
1
0.054

0.35

420

0.25

181.49

21

-11

10

55.425

0.054

0.40

420

0.35

254.61

26

-14

12

69.282

0.047
1

0.45

420

0.40

290.98

33

-13

20

79.67

0.068

0.048
0.05

Answers of Review Questions

(1.a)Answer:

Figure 1: AC current versus DC field excitation current curve.

(1.b)Answer:

Figure 2: AC current versus DC field excitation current

smooth curve.
(2.a)Answer:

Figure 3: Power factor versus DC field excitation current curve.

(2.b)Answer:

Figure 4: Power factor versus DC field excitation current

smooth curve.
Conclusion: This was an experiment where we learn how synchronous
motor can work for power factor improvement. At unity power factor
armature current is minimum. At under excitation current power factor is
lagging and synchronous motor work as an inductor. And at over excitation
current power factor is leading and synchronous motor works as a capacitor.

East West University

Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Course name: EEE 304

Experiment No: 05

Name of the experiment: Starting of a Synchronous Motor

Student Name: Joyanta Roy

Student ID:
Group No: 08
Section: 02

2013-2-80-013