ECE 4501 Power Systems Laboratory Manual Rev 1.

6.0 INDUCTION MOTORS

6.1 WOUND ROTOR INDUCTION MOTOR

6.1.1 OBJECTIVE

To examine the construction of a three-phase wound rotor induction motor and understand the
concepts of exciting current, synchronous speed, slip and induced voltages.

6.1.2 DISCUSSION

When the three windings in the stator of an induction motor are connected to a three-phase voltage
source, currents flow in the windings and a rotating magnetic field is established in the stator. If
there is no load connected to the motor shaft, the three-phase current drawn by the stator windings
is called the exciting current. This current, at line voltage, provides the reactive power necessary
to establish the rotating magnetic field in the stator and the real power dissipated in the copper
windings and core.

The speed of the rotating stator field is determined by the frequency of the three-phase waveforms
supplied by the source, 60 Hz in North America, and by the number of magnetic poles with which
the stator is built. This speed is known as the synchronous speed and is measured in revolutions
per minute, RPM. Poles always come in pairs ( a north pole and a south pole) and for a two-pole
motor, the field will complete 60 revolutions every second and thus synchronous speed is 3600
RPM. This is as fast as any induction motor can ever turn when excited by 60 cycle waveforms.
Electric utilities maintain system frequency with great precision (in order to make electric clocks
run accurately, among other things). Therefore, synchronous speed may be considered a constant
value for a given motor.

The rotor of an induction motor consists of a laminated steel core with slots and some type of
winding. The two most common types of winding are the squirrel cage rotor and the wound rotor
(using copper windings). The squirrel cage rotor will be discussed in a later section of the
experiment. In the wound rotor, three sets of windings are set in the slots of the core material.
Each winding is brought out to a slip ring on the shaft of the rotor. Terminating the windings on
slip rings allows flexibility in the manner in which the windings are configured by allowing
resistors to be placed in WYE or DELTA across them. The resistors are sized to accurately
control the magnitude of currents in the rotor windings.

The rotating three-phase magnetic field produced by the stator induces an alternating voltage on
each of the rotor windings. If the rotor is not turning, the rate at which each rotor winding cuts the
lines of flux produced by the magnetic field will be equal to the synchronous speed and the
induced voltages in the rotor will be at the same frequency as the source voltage. This condition is
called 100% slip. As the rotor is turned in the same direction as the rotating magnetic stator field,
the rate at which the rotor windings cut lines of flux will decrease and the induced voltages in the
rotor windings will decrease in frequency and magnitude. If the rotor is turned at a rate equal to
the synchronous speed, its windings will not cut any lines of flux and the induced voltages will be
zero in magnitude and frequency. This condition is called 0% slip. The torque produced by the
motor drops to zero at 0% slip and thus, for all practical purposes, an induction motor cannot
actually achieve synchronous speed. Conversely, if the rotor is turned in the opposite direction

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with respect to the stator field, but at synchronous frequency, the induced voltages will have twice
the magnitude and frequency as compared to the 100% slip condition.

6.1.3 INSTRUMENTS AND COMPONENTS

Power Supply Module EMS 8821

AC Metering Module (2.5 A) EMS 8425
AC Metering Module (250V) EMS 8426
DC Motor/Generator Module EMS 8211
Wound Rotor IM Module EMS 8231
Three-Phase Wattmeter Module EMS 8441
Hand Tachometer EMS 8920

6.1.4 PROCEDURE

CAUTION! High voltages are present in this Experiment. DO NOT make any
connections with the power supply ON. Get in the habit of turning OFF the power
supply after every measurement.

1) Examine the construction of the Wound Rotor Induction Motor, EMS 8231, paying close attention
to the slip rings, the rotor windings, the stator windings, and the connection schematic.

2) What is the rated current of the stator windings? ___________ Rated voltage? ___________

3) What is the rated current of the rotor windings? ___________ Rated voltage? ___________

4) Are the rotor windings configured WYE or DELTA? ___________

5) What is the rated speed of the induction motor? ___________ Rated Horsepower? ___________

6) Connect the following circuit, coupling the two motors with a timing belt:

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FIGURE 6-1-1: INDUCTION MOTOR TURNED BY A DC MOTOR

7) Note that the DC Shunt Motor* will be used to turn the rotor of the Induction Motor. Also note
that the DC motor is connected with fixed (120 Vdc) shunt field excitation and variable (0 120
Vdc) excitation for the armature.

* Alternatively the Prime Mover/ Dynamometer can substitute for the DC shunt motor, in which
case supply power to it using 1-N terminals at power supply to 1-2 terminals of Dynamometer.

8) Turn the field rheostat on the DC motor to its full clockwise position (for minimum field
resistance). If Dynamometer is used instead of DC motor adjust the load control to minimum

9) Note that the stator of the Induction motor is WYE connected and that voltmeter, V1 will measure
input voltage and V2 will measure the induced voltage on the open circuited rotor windings.

10) Make sure that both motors are coupled by a timing belt.

11) Turn on the 24 Vac power supply and the Main Power Supply, but DO NOT turn the voltage
control (the DC motor should not turn).

12) Measure and record the following (it is OK if W1 and W2 have different signs):

V1 = Volts W1 = Watts I1 = Amps

V2 = Volts W2 = Watts I2 = Amps
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I3 = Amps
13) Turn OFF the main power supply.

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14) Calculate the following (by the 2-wattmeter method, three phase real power will be W 1 + W2):

Apparent Power, S3 Reactive Power, Q3

VA VAR
Real Power, P3 Power Factor, pf

15) Turn on the power supply and adjust the voltage control until the DC motor turns at 900 rpm.

16) Measure and record the following: (Note: If the value of V2 is less than the previous test, turn OFF
the power supply and interchange any two of the stator connections, then repeat step 15)

V1 = Volts W1 = Watts I1 = Amps

V2 = Volts W2 = Watts I2 = Amps
I3 = Amps
17) Is the three phase real power, P3, the same as before? ____________

18) Increase the voltage control to 100 percent and adjust the field rheostat until the DC motor turns at
1800 rpm.

19) Measure and record the following:

V1 = Volts W1 = Watts I1 = Amps

V2 = Volts W2 = Watts I2 = Amps
I3 = Amps

20) Turn the voltage control to zero percent and turn OFF the power supply.

21) In the procedures at 900 and 1800 rpm, is the rotor of the induction motor being turned with or
against the direction of the rotating stator field? Explain:

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

22) Interchange the connections 1 and 2 on the armature of the DC Motor in order to reverse its
direction. Double check that the rheostat is in its full clockwise position.

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23) Turn on the power supply and adjust the voltage control for a DC motor speed of 900 rpm.

24) Measure and record the following:

V1 = Volts W1 = Watts I1 = Amps

V2 = Volts W2 = Watts I2 = Amps
I3 = Amps
25) Increase the voltage control to 100 percent and adjust the field rheostat until the DC motor turns at
1800 rpm.

26) Measure and record the following:

V1 = Volts W1 = Watts I1 = Amps

V2 = Volts W2 = Watts I2 = Amps
I3 = Amps
27) Return the voltage control to zero percent and turn OFF the power supply.

28) In the last two procedures, was the rotor of the induction motor being turned with or against the
direction of the rotating stator field? Explain:

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

6.1.5 CONCLUSIONS

6.1.5.1 Since the voltage induced on the rotor winding is zero volts when the rotor is turned at
synchronous speed, what is the synchronous speed of the motor, in rpm?

______________________________________________________________________________

6.1.5.2 The following equation defines the relationship between frequency, number of poles in a motor
and its synchronous speed:

Synchronous Speed, Ns = 120 f / p , where f is frequency in Hz, and p is the number of poles

Determine the number of poles in the motor tested:

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

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6.1.5.3 Calculate the slip rpm and percent slip for each of the 5 motor speeds tested, -1800, -900, 0, 900,
1800 RPM:

Slip rpm, Nslip = Ns Nrotor Percent Slip = ( Nslip / Ns ) x 100%

ROTOR RPM Slip RPM Percent Slip

-1800
-900
0
900
1800
6.1.5.4 How much reactive power is required to produce the rotating magnetic field in the stator of the
induction motor (i.e. the amount consumed when the rotor is open circuited and not turning)?

__________________________________________________________________________

6.1.5.5 How much real power is dissipated under the same conditions? _______________________

6.1.5.6 Plot the rotor speed versus the induced rotor voltage on the graph below. Should the resulting

curve be a straight line? ( i.e. is Vrotor Nrotor ) _____________

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6.2 INDUCTION MOTOR STARTING

CHARACTERISTICS

6.2.1 OBJECTIVE

To determine starting current and starting torque of a three-phase, wound rotor induction motor

6.2.2 DISCUSSION

In the previous section, it could be observed that the open circuit voltage across the rotor windings
varied linearly with respect to the slip RPM of the rotor. When the rotor windings are short-
circuited, this induced voltage causes large circulating currents in the rotor, creating a magnetic
field in the rotor that opposes the rotating stator field. The strength of the rotor field is
proportional to the rotor currents, which are proportional to the induced rotor voltage which, as
stated, varies linearly with slip RPM.

Therefore, it should be expected that a three-phase induction motor with shaft at standstill
(100%slip) would produce high torque. An induction motor with shaft turning at synchronous
speed will produce zero torque.

6.2.3 INSTRUMENTS AND COMPONENTS

Power Supply Module EMS 8821

AC Metering Module (2.5 A) EMS 8425
AC Metering Module (250V) EMS 8426
DC Motor/Generator Module EMS 8211
Wound Rotor IM Module EMS 8231
Electrodynamometer Module EMS 8911

6.2.4 PROCEDURE

CAUTION! High voltages are present in this Experiment. DO NOT make any
connections with the power supply ON. Get in the habit of turning OFF the power
supply after every measurement.

1) Connect the circuit shown below:

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FIGURE 6-2-1: INDUCTION MOTOR STARTING TORQUE

2) Set the Dynamometer control fully clockwise for maximum load torque.

3) Make sure the voltage control is at zero percent and turn ON the power supply.

4) Turn the voltage control clockwise until the AC voltmeter, V1 reads 100 Vac. The motor
should turn slowly. Measure and record the three ammeter currents and the torque developed
by the rotor.

I1 = I2 = I3 = T=

5) Gradually reduce the load on the motor by turning the Dynamometer control knob slowly in
the counterclockwise direction.

Do the three rotor currents increase or decrease as the load is reduced and the motor speeds

up? __________________________

6) Reduce the load on the motor to 1 Lbf-in (one inch-pound = 0.12 Newton-meters) and record
the three rotor currents:

I1 = I2 = I3 =

7) Return the voltage to zero percent and turn OFF the power supply.

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8) Connect the circuit shown below. NOTE that the fixed power supply is now being used.

FIGURE 6-2-2: INDUCTION MOTOR FULL VOLTAGE START

9) Set the Dynamometer control fully clockwise for maximum load torque.

10) To avoid damage to the motor, complete the next three steps QUICKLY.

11) Turn on the power supply.

12) Measure and record the motor voltage, V1, and currents, I1 and I2, and the developed starting
torque.

V1 = I1 = I2 = T=

13) Turn OFF the power supply.

14) Calculate the apparent power delivered to the motor by the source using the equation:

S3 = 3 VLine ILine S3 = VA

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6.2.5 CONCLUSIONS

1. Assume that this motor is rated HP and its full load motor speed is 1500 RPM. Calculate
the full load torque using the following equation:

Tlbf-in = (100,000) HP/ (1.59) RPM OR TN-m = (100,000) HP/ (14.07)RPM

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. Calculate the ratio of starting torque (the torque measurement taken in Step 12 above) to the
full load torque (just calculated above):

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

3. Assume that the full load stator current is 1.2 amperes per phase and calculate the ratio of
starting current to full load current:

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

4. If the stator voltage of a wound rotor motor is reduced by 50% of rated value, what will be
the percent change in:

a) Starting current:
____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

b) Apparent power:
____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

c) Starting Torque:
____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

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6.3 INDUCTION MOTOR STARTING

CHARACTERISTICS

6.3.1 OBJECTIVE

To examine the construction and starting characteristics of the three-phase squirrel induction
motor.

6.3.2 DISCUSSION

The squirrel cage induction motor is the workhorse of industry. It is similar to the wound
rotor induction motor in construction, except that the rotor winding is replaced by copper or
aluminum bars. The bars are terminated at each end of the rotor with short-circuit rings,
forming a cage. The advantages to the cage include durability, ease and cost of
manufacturing, and minimal maintenance. Disadvantages, including reduced starting torque,
are numerous but rarely outweigh the price and maintenance advantage held by the squirrel
cage motor over a comparable wound rotor motor.

6.3.3 INTRUMENTS AND COMPONENTS

Power Supply Module EMS 8821

AC Metering Module (2.5/8 A) EMS 8425
AC Metering Module (250V) EMS 8426
Dynamometer Module EMS 8911
Squirrel Cage IM Module EMS 8221
Three-Phase Wattmeter Module EMS 8441
Hand Tachometer EMS 8920

6.3.4 PROCEDURE

CAUTION! High voltages are present in this Experiment. DO NOT make any
connections with the power supply ON. Get in the habit of turning OFF the power
supply after every measurement.

1) Examine the construction of the Squirrel Cage Induction Motor, paying close attention to
the manner in which the stator windings are arranged, the presence of fan blades for
forced-air cooling, and the short-circuit rings on each end of the rotor cage. Note also
that unlike the wound rotor motor, no slip rings are necessary since the bars of the cage
are short-circuited.

2) Enter the following nameplate data from the front of the motor module:

Current Rating Voltage Rating Rated Speed Rated Horsepower

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3) Connect the following circuit:

FIGURE 6-3-1: Squirrel Cage Power and Torque Characteristics

4) Turn on the 24-Volt switch (if using the Prime Mover/Dynamometer), adjust the
Dynamometer for minimum load (full ccw), then turn ON the main power supply, and
adjust the voltage control for 208 Vac operation.

5) Measure the three line currents, the two-wattmeter readings and the motor speed and
record them in the first line of the table below. (It is OK if the two wattmeter readings
have different sign)

6) Turn the Dynamometer control clockwise until the load on motor is 3 Lbf-in (0.35 N-m)
and record the same measurements in the second line of the table. Repeat until all lines
of the table are filled.

TORQUE I1 I2 I3 P1 P2 SPEED
Lbf-In / N-m Amps Amps Amps Watts Watts RPM
0/0
3 / 0.35
6 / 0.7
9 / 1.05
12 / 1.4

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7) Return the voltage control to zero percent and turn OFF the power supply.

8) Connect the circuit shown below, noting that the fixed voltage source is now used:

FIGURE 6-3-2: SQUIRREL CAGE FULL-VOLTAGE START

9) Perform the next three steps quickly:

10) Set the Dynamometer control for maximum load torque (fully cw) and turn ON the power
supply.

11) Measure and record the motor voltage, V1, and currents, I1 and I2, and the developed
starting torque.

V1 = I1 = T=

12) Turn OFF the power supply.

13) Calculate the apparent power delivered to the motor by the source using the equation:

S3 = 3 VLine ILine S3 = VA

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6.3.5 CONCLUSIONS

1. Using the 9 Lbf-in Torque data from the table in Step 6) of 6.3.4 Procedure, calculate the
following full-load characteristics:

Apparent Power: ______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Real Power: _________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Reactive Power: ______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Power Factor: ________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. Using the data from Step 11) above and the 9 Lbf-in Torque data from the table in Step 6),
compute the following ratios:

Starting Current / Full Load Current: _________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Starting Torque / Full-Load Torque: ________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

3. Compare the Wound Rotor Induction Motor to the Squirrel Cage Induction Motor with
respect to a) Starting Torque, b) Starting Current, c) Speed Regulation, and d) Full-Load
Speed.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

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4. Assume that the Full-Load Speed of a 4-Pole Induction Motor is 1650 RPM. If power
frequency were decreased to 50 Hz, what would the new Full-Load speed be?

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Would the exciting current (no-load current) increase or decrease?

____________________________________________________________________

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