Three Phase Induction Motors
Lecture No-3
Dr. R. Roy
Dean of Engineering and Technology
SRM University, Delhi-NCR
Sonepat
Applications of Three-phase Induction
Motors
1. Squirrel cage induction motors: These motors are mechanically robust
and are operated almost at constant speed. These motors operate at high
power factor and have high over load capacity.
However, these motors have low starting torque. (i.e., these motors
cannot pick-up heavy loads) and draw heavy current at start.
On the bases of these characteristics, these motors are best suited for:
(i) Printing machinery
(ii) Flour mills
(iii) Saw mills
(iv) Shaft drives of small industries
(v) Pumps
(vi) Prime-movers with small generators etc.
2. Slip-ring (or phase-wound) induction
motors:
These motors have all the important characteristics (advantage) of
squirrel cage induction motors and at the same time have the ability to
pick-up heavy loads at start drawing smaller current from the mains.
Accordingly these motors are best suited for:-
(i) Rolling mills
(ii) Lifts and hoists
(iii) Big flour mills
(iv) Large pumps
(iv) Line shafts of heavy industries
(vi) Prime-moves with medium and large generators.
Comparison of Squirrel Cage and Phase
Wound Induction Motors
Necessity of a starter
When a 3-phase supply is given to the 3-phase wound stator of an
induction motor, a rotating field is developed.
By induction, an emf is induced in the rotor conductors, torque develops
and rotor starts rotating.
But, if the motor is directly switched on to the supply, it draws heavy
current from the mains due to inertia of rotor.
Thus, a device is required to limit the inrush flow of current at the start,
called starter.
Necessity of a Starter
Contd.
This current is very large as compared to its full load current. Thus, when a
squirrel cage induction motor is directly connected to the supply mains, it
draws very large current (nearly 5 to 7 times of the full load current) from
the mains.
This heavy current may not be dangerous for the motor because it occurs
for a short duration of time, but it causes the following affects:
(i) It produces large voltage drop in the distribution lines and thus affects
the voltage regulation of the supply system.
(ii) It adversely affects the other motors and loads connected to the same
lines.
Contd.
Hence it is not advisable to start large capacity induction motors by
direct switching.
Rather, such motors should be started by means of some starting device
known as starter.
The function of a starter is to limit the initial rush of current to a
predetermined value.
A starter also has some protective devices to protect the induction
motors against over loading.
Star-Delta Starter
This method is based upon the principle that in star connections, voltage
across each winding is phase voltage i.e., 1/ √3 times the line voltage,
whereas the same winding when connected in delta will have full line
voltage across it.
So at start, connections of the motor are made in star fashion so that
reduced voltage is applied across each winding.
After the motor attains speed the same windings through a change-over
switch, as shown in Fig. are connected in delta across the same supply.
The starter is provided with overload and under voltage protection
devices also.
Contd.
Contd.
Contd.
Merits
It is a simple, cheap, effective and most efficient method of starting of
squirrel cage induction motors.
It is the most suitable method of starting for high inertia and long
acceleration loads.
However, it suffers from the following demerits.
Demerits
1. All the six terminals of the stator winding are to be brought out to
starter through six leads and the motor has to be operated in delta.
2. The starting current can only be limited to 1/3rd of the short circuit
current.
3. Starting torque developed by the motor is reduced to 1/3rd which is
very low to pick the load.
Accordingly, such starters are employed with the squirrel cage induction
motors having capacity 4 kW to 20 kW.
Precautions
To start the motor, the handle is operated to start position i.e., to
connect the motor winding in star.
Keep the handle in this position till the motor picks-up speed to 70% of
its rated value.
Only after that shift the handle to run position (i.e., delta connection),
otherwise there will be heavy sparking at the starter terminals.
