Module 4:

Polyphase Induction Motor

Course Material

An induction motor is probably the most common of all the motors. Like in DC machines,
induction motor is consisting of a stator and a rotor, the only difference is that AC induction motors
do not use brushes; the latter mounted on bearings and separated from the stator by an airgap,
they are very rugged and have long life expectancies. The stator core, made up of punching, also
called laminations carries the slot-embedded conductors. These conductors are interconnected
in a well-established fashion and this is what makes up the armature windings. Polyphase motor,
unlike single phase motors are self-starting, meaning, it does not need any external force or
auxiliary stator winding to start, only polyphase induction motors are self-starting.

Induction motor consists essentially of two main parts as shown Figure 4.1

1. Stator

2. Rotor

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 Figure 4.1 (a) to (b): Cross Section of an Induction Motor

Stator

➢ The stator consists of a cylindrical laminated & slotted core placed in a frame of rolled or
cast steel.
➢ It carries a 3-phase winding and is fed from a 3-phase supply.
➢ It is wound for a definite number of poses (determined by the requirement of speed).
➢ Greater the number of poles, lesser the speed and vice versa.

Rotor

➢ It consists of a laminated & slotted core tightly pressed on the shaft as shown in Figure
4.2.
➢ There are two general types of rotors:
1. Squirrel-cage rotor - The rotor consists of a cylindrical laminated core with parallel
slots for carrying the rotor conductors which are not wires but consist of heavy bars of
copper, aluminium or alloys shown in Figure 4.3.

2. ‘Phase wound’ or ‘wound’ or ‘slip ring’ rotor as shown in Figure 4.4.

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 Figure 4.2: Rotor of an Induction Motor

Figure 4.3: Squirrel Cage Induction motor

Figure 4.4: ‘Phase wound’ or ‘wound’ or ‘slip ring’ rotor.

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 ➢ The rotor is wound for as many poles as the number of stator poles and is always wound
3-phase even when the stator is wound two-phase.
➢ The three phases are starred internally. The other three winding terminals are brought
out and connected to three insulated slip rings mounted on the shaft with brushes resting
on them.
➢ 3 brushes are further externally connected to a 3 phase star-connected rheostat as
shown in Figure 4.5.

Figure 4.5: Wiring diagram for Starting resistance of an Induction motor

Rotation mechanism of the Rotor

➢ 3-φ stator winding is fed by 3-φ supply

➢ Rotating flux of const. magnitude produced
➢ Flux passes through air-gap & cuts rotor conductor
➢ An emf is induced in rotor conductor
➢ Since rotor bars or conductors from closed circuit, current flows through rotor
conductors whose direction, as given by Lenz’s law, is such as to oppose the very
cause producing it.
➢ In this case the cause of rotor current is the relative velocity between the rotating stator
flux & the stationary rotor conductors.
➢ Hence, to reduce the relative speed, the rotor starts running in the same direction as that
of the flux and tries to catch up with the rotating flux as shown in Figure 4.6.

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 Figure 4.6 (a) to (c): Rotation mechanism of a Rotor

In induction motor, no current is conducted to one of the motor element (field or

armature).The current in one of these elements results from an induced voltage and for
that reason it is called Induction motor.Induction motors are somewhat referred to as
asynchronous (meaning not synchronous) machines.

Induction motor is often called as “rotating transformer” because:

➢ Transformer has two sides: primary & secondary
➢ Transformer transforms energy from primary to secondary by induction.
➢ Similarly, Induction motor has primary (stator) & secondary (rotor)
➢ Voltage is induced in secondary by rotating flux of constant magnitude i.e the
process of induction.

Slip

The difference between the synchronous speed Ns and the actual rotor speed Nr is known as
slip. It is usually expressed as a percentage of the synchronous speed as shown in equation
4.1.

𝑁𝑠 − 𝑁𝑟
%𝑠 = 𝑥 100 (4.1)
𝑁𝑟
Where: s-slip

Sometimes, (Ns - Nr) is called the slip speed.

So, the rotor speed Nr = Ns(1-s)

Frequency of Rotor Current

➢ When the rotor is stationary, the frequency of rotor current is the same as the supply
frequency.
➢ But when the rotor starts revolving, then the frequency depends upon the relative speed
or on slip-speed.
➢ Let at any slip speed, the frequency of the rotor current be f’. Then,

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 120𝑓𝑟 120𝑓
𝑁𝑠 − 𝑁𝑟 = 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜, 𝑁𝑠 =
𝑃 𝑃
Dividing the two equation will yield,

𝑓𝑟 𝑁𝑠 − 𝑁𝑟
= =𝑠
𝑓𝑠 𝑁𝑟

Thus as shown in equation 4.2, 𝑓𝑟 = 𝑠𝑓𝑠 (4.2)

fr=rotor frequency, Hertz or cycle per second

fs=stator frequency, Hertz or cycle per second

Machine Equivalent Circuit

➢ Noting that the rotor currents are of slip frequency, we have the rotor equivalent circuit
(on a per-phase basis) as shown in Figure 4.7, which gives the rotor current I2, as shown
in equation 4.3.

𝑠𝐸2 𝐸2
𝐼2 = = (4.3)
√𝑅22 + (𝑠𝑋2 )2 2
√(𝑅2 ) + (𝑋2 )2
𝑠
Where: E2-induced rotor emf at standstill, volts
X2-rotor leakage reactance at standstill, ohms
R2-rotor resistance per phase, ohms

Figure 4.7 (a) to (b): Rotor equivalent circuit

➢ In order to include the stator circuit, the induction motor may be viewed as transformer
with an airgap, having a variable resistance in the secondary. Because of the airgap, the
value of the magnetizing reactance, Xm, tends to be low as compared to that of a true
transformer as shown in Figure 4.8 and equation 4.4 and 4.5.

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 Figure 4.8: Stator and Rotor equivalent circuit

𝑚1 𝑘𝑤1 𝑁1 2 ′
𝑅2′ = 𝑎2 𝑅2 (3.4) 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎2 = ( ) 𝑋2 = 𝑎2 𝑋2 (4.5)
𝑚2 𝑘𝑤2 𝑁2

Where: kw1=winding factor of the stator kw2=winding factor of the rotor

m1=number of phase on the stator m2=number of bars per pole pair R2-resistance of
one bar, ohms

Figure 4.9: Induction motor equivalent circuit combining Stator and Rotor

➢ Bearing in mind both the similarities and the differences between an induction motor and
a transformer, we now refer the rotor quantities to the stator to obtain from Figure 4.8,
the exact equivalent circuit (per phase) as shown in Figure 4.9. For reasons that will
become immediately clear, we split R2’/s as shown in equation 4.6,

𝑅2′ 𝑅2′
= 𝑅2′ + (1 − 𝑠) (4.6)
𝑠 𝑠

Where: R1-stator resistance per phase,ohms

R2-rotor resistance per phase,ohms
X1-stator leakage reactance,ohms
X2-rotor leakage reactance,ohms
Rm-resistance corresponding to the iron losses and friction and windage, ohms

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 Xm-magnetizing reactance, ohms

Equivalent circuit parameters from Test data

Equivalent circuit of the induction motor as shown in Figure 4.10 can be obtained from
two following sets.

Figure 4.10: Equivalent circuit of the Induction motor from Test data

1. No-load test

➢ In this test, rated voltage is applied to the machine and it is allowed to run on no-load.
➢ Input power (corrected for friction and windage loss), voltage, and current are measured;
these, reduced to per-phase values, are denoted Po, Vo and Io respectively.
➢ When the machine runs on no-load, the slip is close to zero and the circuit to the right is
taken to be an open circuit as shown in Figure 4.11. Thus, the parameters can be found
from equation (4.7) to (4.10),

𝑉𝑜2 𝑉2
𝑅𝑚 = 𝑃𝑜
(4.7) 𝑆𝑜 = √3 𝑉𝑜 𝐼𝑜 (4.8) 𝑄𝑜 = √𝑆𝑜2 − 𝑃𝑜2 (4.9) 𝑋𝑚 = 𝑄𝑜 (4.10)
𝑜

Where: Po -wattmeter reading (power drawn by the motor) which is W1+W2, watts
Io -ammeter reading (line current drawn by the motor), ampere
Vo-voltmeter reading (voltage drawn by the motor from the line), volts
So-apparent power, VA
Qo-reactive power, VAR
W1-wattmeter reading 1, watts W2-wattmeter reading 2, watts

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 Figure 4.11: Wiring diagram of a No-load test

2. Locked Rotor test

➢ In this test, the rotor of the machine is blocked (s=1), and a reduced voltage is applied to
the machine so that the rated current flows through the stator winding.
➢ The input power, voltage, and current are recorded and reduced to per-phase values
which are denoted by Ps, Vs and Is respectively.
➢ In this test, as shown in Figure 4.12 , the iron losses are assumed to be negligible and
the shunt branch of the circuit is considered to be absent. The parameters are thus
found from equation (4.11) to (4.14),

𝑃𝑠 2 − 𝑃2 (3.13) 𝑋 =
𝑄𝑠 2
𝑅𝑒 = (3.11) 𝑆𝑠 = √3 𝑉𝑠 𝐼𝑠 (3.12) 𝑄𝑠 = √𝑆𝑠 𝑠 𝑒 (3.14)
3𝐼𝑠2 3𝐼𝑠2

Where: Ps -wattmeter reading (power drawn by the motor) which is W1+W2, watts
Is -ammeter reading (line current drawn by the motor), ampere
Vs-voltmeter reading (voltage drawn by the motor from the line), volts
Ss-apparent power, VA
Qs-reactive power, VAR
Re-equivalent resistance per phase of the motor referred to stator, ohms
Xe-equivalent reactance per phase of the motor referred to stator, ohms
P1-wattmeter reading 1, watts P2-wattmeter reading 2, watts

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 Figure 4:12: Wiring diagram of a Locked rotor test

Power Stages in an Induction motor

The flow of power through the parts of an Induction motor can be summarized by the
diagram as shown in Figure 4.13.

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 Figure 4.13 (a) to (b): Power flow throughout the entire induction motor

Where: Pin-input power drawn by the motor

Pout-Motor output power
Pcus- stator copper losses= 𝐼12 𝑅1
Pco- core losses
𝐼22 𝑅2′
Pr- power input of the rotor= 𝑠
Pcur- rotor copper losses= 𝐼22 𝑅2 ′
Pm- mechanical power developed= (1 − 𝑠)𝑃𝑟
Pfw- frictional and windage losses

Starting Torque of Squirrel-Cage Motor

➢ Resistance is fixed & small compared to the reactance

➢ Frequency equals to supply frequency at starting
➢ impedance small, current I2 is large & lags by a very large angle behind E2
➢ For large power factor angle, the power factor becomes very low hence, the starting
torque will be low
➢ This motor is not useful where the motor has to start against heavy loads.

Starting Torque of Slip-ring Motor

➢ By improving power factor, starting torque increase

➢ Adding external resistance in rotor circuit from star connected rheostat, impedance
increase
➢ impedance Z2 large, current I2 is small
➢ Current I2 lags by small angle behind E2
➢ For low power factor angle, power factor becomes large, thus the increase in starting
torque.
➢ This motor is useful where the motor has to start against heavy loads.

Effect of change in Supply Voltage on Starting torque

➢ Knowing that Torque is directly proportional to the square of voltage.

➢ We can see that, the torque is very sensitive to any changes in the supply voltage. A
change of 5% in supply voltage, for example, will produce a change of approximately
10% in the rotor torque.

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Rotor EMF and Reactance under running conditions

➢ Let E2= Standstill rotor induced e.m.f./phase

X2 = Standstill rotor reactance/phase,
f2 = rotor current frequency at standstill
➢ When rotor is stationary then slip s=1 and frequency of rotor e.m.f. is same that of stator
supply frequency.
➢ Under running condition, rotor e.m.f. Er = sE2
Frequency of the induced emf fr =sf2
Due to the decrease in frequency of the rotor emf, the rotor reactance Xr=sX2

Relationship Between Torque and Slip

➢ A family of torque/slip curves is shown in figure 4.14 below for a range of s=0 to s=1 with
R2 as the parameter.

Figure 4.14: Graphical representation of relationship between Maximum torque and the Slip

➢ When s=0, T=0, hence the curve starts from point 0.

➢ At normal speeds, close to synchronism, the term (sX2) is small and hence negligible
with respect to R2.
𝑠
𝑇∞ ( )
𝑅

If R2 is constant, Torque is directly proportional to slip.

➢ For low value of s, the curve is approximate a straight line.

➢ As s increases (for increasing motor load),
➢ the torque increases and becomes maximum at s=R2/X2. This torque is known as “pull-

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 out” or “breakdown” torque or, stalling torque.
➢ As the slip is increased further, R2 becomes negligible as compared to (sX2). Thus for
large value of slip

𝑠 1
𝑇∞ ( )∞
𝑠𝑋2 𝑠

➢ Beyond the point of Tmax , any further increase in motor load results in decrease of
torque developed. Thus the motor slows down and eventually stops.
➢ The stable operation of the motor lies between the values of s=0 and that corresponding
to maximum torque as shown by the orange shaded region.

Effect of Change in Supply frequency on Speed and Torque

➢ The major effect of change in supply frequency is on motor speed

➢ If frequency drops by 10%, speed also drops 10%
➢ If machine tools & motor-driven equipment for 50 Hz supply connected to 60 Hz supply;

Regions in Torque speed curve

The relationship between Torque and its given speed can be summarized in a graph curve as
shown in Figure 4.15.

Figure 4.15: Torque-speed curve of induction motor

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1) Plugging (braking) region (1<s<2)
Rotor rotates opposite to direction of air gap flux. Can happen, for example, if stator supply
phase sequence reversed while rotor is moving.

2) Motoring region (0<s<1)

Te=0 at s=0. As s increases (speed decreases),Te increases until max. torque (breakdown) is
reached. Beyond this point, Te decreases with increasing s.

3) Regenerating Region (s<0)

Here the induction machine acts as a generator. Rotor moves faster than air gap flux resulting
in negative slip.

Starting of Induction Motors

• A plain Induction motor is similar in action to a polyphase transformer.

• So it takes high current (almost 5 to 7 times of full load current while starting.
• There are three methods for starting of an Induction Motor.

1. Primary Resistors (or, rheostat) or reactors

Their purpose is to drop some voltage and hence reduce the voltage applied across the motor
terminals as shown in Figure 4.16. In this way the initial current drawn by the motor is
reduced.

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 Figure 4.16: Wiring diagram for starting of a motor using Primary resistor

2. Auto Transformer

Auto transformer (Figure 4.17) is suitable for both star and delta connected motors. In
this method, the starting current is limited by using three-phase auto transformer to
reduce the initial stator applied voltage as shown in Figure 4.18.

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 Figure 4.17: Variable Auto transformer

Figure 4.18: Wiring diagram for starting of motor using Auto Transformer
(a) With 2 auto transformer connected in open delta
(b) With 3 auto transformer

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 3. Star Delta Starter/Switch

➢ Voltage reduction during star-delta starting is achieved by physically

reconfiguring the motor windings as illustrated in the figure 4.19.
➢ During starting the motor windings are connected in star configuration and
this reduces the voltage across each winding 3.
➢ This also reduces the torque by a factor of three.

Figure 4.19 (a) to (b): Wiring configuration of Star and Delta connection

• Thus, is this motor are connected in either delta or wye, the phase (Vp) and line (Vl)
voltage at the start are given by equation 4.15 and 4.16:

𝑖𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑: 𝑉𝑝 = 𝑉𝑙 (4.15)

𝑉𝑙
𝑖𝑓 𝑤𝑦𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑: 𝑉𝑝 = (4.16)
√3

Synchronous motor

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 Synchronous condenser (Figure 4.20) (or synchronous motor operating at a leading
power factor) is used to correct a system’s power factor in a certain load by adding additional
real power to the load being served as shown in its phasor diagram in Figure 4.21. The phasor
diagram in Figure 4.22 show how it is being injected in the system.

Figure 4.20: Medium Voltage Synchronous motor (a) outdoor (b) indoor

Figure 4.21: Phasor diagram of the system with Synchronous motor

Recall (Power Triangle):

𝑃
𝑆 2 = 𝑃2 + 𝑄 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = = 𝑝𝑓
𝑆
2 2 2
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑑 = 𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑑 + 𝑄𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑄𝑜𝑙𝑑 = 𝑄𝑛𝑒𝑤 + 𝑄𝑠𝑦𝑛
2 2 2
𝑆𝑛𝑒𝑤 = 𝑃𝑛𝑒𝑤 + 𝑄𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑃𝑛𝑒𝑤 = 𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑑 + 𝑃𝑠𝑦𝑛

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 2 2 2
𝑆𝑠𝑦𝑛 = 𝑃𝑠𝑦𝑛 + 𝑄𝑠𝑦𝑛

Where : Sold-old apparent power of the system, kVA

Pold-old real power of the system, kW
Qold-old reactive power of the system, kVAR
Qnew-new reactive power of the system after adding synchronous motor, kVAR
Qsyn-reactive power of synchronous motor, kVAR
Snew-new apparent power of the system after adding synchronous motor, kVA
Pnew-new real power of the system after adding synchronous motor, kW
Psyn-real power of synchronous motor, kW
Ssyn-apparent power of synchronous motor, kVA

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