Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional
Experiment 05
Observation of starting characteristic and dc current vs ac current
characteristic curve(V curve) of a synchronous motor
Evaluation Form:
IMPORTANT! You must complete this experiment during your scheduled lab period. All
work for this experiment must be demonstrated to and verified by your lab instructor before
the end of your scheduled lab period.
STEP DESCRIPTION MAX SCORE
1 Pre-Lab 5
2 Data Collection Part A 5
3 Report Part A 5
4 Data Collection Part B 5
5 Report Part B 5
Total 25
Signatureof Evaluator: ___________________________________________________
AcademicHonestyStatement:
IMPORTANT!Please carefully read and sign the Academic Honesty Statement, below.You will not receive
credit for this lab experiment unless this statement is signed in thepresenceofyourlab instructor.
“Insigningthisstatement,Iherebycertifythattheworkonthisexperimentismyownand that I have not copied the work
of any other student (past or present) while completing thisexperiment.I understand that if I fail to honor this
agreement, I will receive a score of ZERO for this experiment and be subjecttopossibledisciplinaryaction.”
Name: LabGroup:Date:
Student ID Signature:
Contents
Evaluation Form: ................................................................................................. 1
AcademicHonestyStatement: .............................................................................. 1
Pre-lab Study ........................................................................................................ 1
1 Lab Overview ............................................................................................... 2
2 Theory ........................................................................................................... 2
3 Equipment .................................................................................................... 3
4 PART A : Observation of starting characteristic of synchronous motor4
4.1 Experimental set-up: ............................................................................... 4
4.2 Procedure ................................................................................................ 4
4.3 Data Collection ....................................................................................... 5
4.4 Report...................................................................................................... 5
5 PART B: Obtaining DC current vs AC current characteristic curve .... 7
5.1 Experimental set-up ................................................................................ 7
5.2 Procedure: ............................................................................................... 7
5.3 Data Collection ....................................................................................... 8
5.4 Report...................................................................................................... 8
Pre-lab Study
Before attempting this lab, please do the following:
1. Reading Assignment:
• Reference : Chapter 5, page 280-285,Electric Machinery Fundamentals-
Stephen J Chapman
• Read the lab-sheet BEFORE coming to class.
2. Draw the equivalent circuit of a synchronous motor. Also sketch the phasor diagram
of synchronous motor operating at lagging power factor.
3. i) What effect does change in field current have on synchronous motor? Sketch the
effect in phasor diagram.
ii) What is over excited and under excited mode?
EEE 270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional – Experiment 3 Page-01
The lab sheet is prepared by Dr. Apratim Roy, Dr. Orchi Hassan, Shoilie Chakma, Suzit Hasan Nayem EEE,
BUET, on 25-Nov-23
Experiment 5: Observation of dc current vs ac current
characteristic curve (V curve) for the synchronous motor
1 Lab Overview
At the end of this lab, you will be able to
• Obtain starting characteristic of synchronous motor
• Observe how a synchronous motor can act as a variable inductance or capacitance
• Obtain the dc current vs ac current characteristic curve for the synchronous motor
2 Theory
A synchronous motor is an AC motor where the rotation of the rotor (or shaft) is synchronized
with the frequency of the supply current. That is, the rotation period of the rotor is equal to the
rotating field of the machine it is inside of. The speed of rotation is controlled strictly by the
number of pole pairs and the frequency of the applied power. The synchronous motor makes
use of the rotating magnetic field. However, the torque developed does not depend on the
induction currents in the rotor. Briefly, the principle of operation of the synchronous motor is
as follows:
− A multiphase source of AC is applied to the stator windings and a rotating magnetic field is
produced.
− A direct current is applied to the rotor windings and a fixed magnetic field is produced.
− The motor is so constructed that these two magnetic fields react upon each other causing the
rotor to rotate at the same speed as the rotating magnetic field.
− If a load is applied to the rotor shaft, the rotor will momentarily fall behind the rotating field
but will continue to rotate at the same synchronous speed.
The falling behind is analogous to the rotor being tied to the rotating field with a rubber band.
EEE 270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional – Experiment 3 Page-02
The lab sheet is prepared by Dr. Apratim Roy, Dr. Orchi Hassan, Shoilie Chakma, Suzit Hasan Nayem EEE,
BUET, on 25-Nov-23
Heavier loads will cause stretching of the band so the rotor position lags the stator field but
the rotor continues at the same speed. If the load is made too large, the rotor will pull out of
synchronism with the rotating field and, as a result, will no longer rotate at the same speed.
The motor is then said to be overloaded.
The synchronous motor is not a self-starting motor. The rotor is heavy and, from a dead stop,
it is not possible to bring the rotor into magnetic lock with the rotating magnetic field. For this
reason, all synchronous motors have some kind of starting device. A simple starter is another
motor which brings the rotor up to approximately 90% of its synchronous speed. The starting
motor is then disconnected and the rotor locks in step with the rotating field. The more
commonly used starting method is to have the rotor include a squirrel cage induction winding.
This induction winding brings the rotor almost to synchronous speed as an induction motor.
The squirrel cage is also useful even after the motor has attained synchronous speed, because
it tends to dampen rotor oscillations caused by sudden changes in loading.
Positive reactive power is needed to create the magnetic field in an alternating current motor.
This reactive power has the disadvantage of producing a low power factor. Low power factors
are undesirable for several reasons. Generators, transformers, and supply circuits are limited
in ratings by their current carrying capacities. This means that the kilowatt load that they can
deliver is directly proportional to the power factor of the loads that they supply. For example,
a system can deliver only 70% of the kilowatt load at 0.7 power factor that it can deliver at
unity power factor.
The synchronous motor requires considerable reactive power when it operates at noload
without any DC excitation to the rotor. It acts like a three-phase inductance load on the power
line. When the rotor is excited, it will produce some of the magnetism in the motor with the
result that the stator has to supply less, and the reactive power drawn from the power line
decreases. If the rotor is excited until it produces all the magnetism, the power line will only
have to supply active power to the stator, and the power factor will be unity. As far as the
power line is concerned, the synchronous motor now looks like a three-phase resistance load.
If the rotor is excited still further, tending to create more magnetism than the motor needs,
then the power line starts supplying negative reactive power to the stator in its attempt to keep
the total flux constant. But negative reactive power corresponds to a capacitor, and the
synchronous motor now looks like a three-phase capacitance load to the power line. At no-
load, the synchronous motor has the property of acting like a variable inductor/variable
capacitor, the value of reactance (XL or XC ) being determined by the amount of DC current
flowing in the rotor. A synchronous motor when used on the same power system with
induction motors improves the overall system power factor.
3 Equipment
1) One ac voltmeters/multimeters ( 0-300V, 0-150V )
2) One ac ammeters ( 0-10A, 0-30V )
3) One dc voltmeter
4) One dc ammeter
5) One single phase wattmeter
6) One synchronous motor
7) One DC generator
8) Connecting Wires
EEE 270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional – Experiment 3 Page-03
The lab sheet is prepared by Dr. Apratim Roy, Dr. Orchi Hassan, Shoilie Chakma, Suzit Hasan Nayem EEE,
BUET, on 25-Nov-23
4 PART A : Observation of starting characteristic of
synchronous motor
4.1 Experimental set-up:
Figure 4.1: Connection diagram for observing the starting characteristic of synchronous motor
4.2 Procedure
1. Examine the front panel of the synchronous motor module.
2. Identify the three separate stator windings and observe that rotor winding is connected
through toggle switch to the terminals.
3. Note down the rated current and rated voltage of stator and rotor winding, rated speed
of the motor.
4. Using your Three-Phase Synchronous Motor/Generator, Power Supply and AC
Ammeter, connect the circuit shown in Figure 4.1. Note that the three stator windings
are wye-connected to the fixed 415 V, 3-phase output of the power supply, terminals
1, 2 and 3.
5. Turn on the only three phase AC power supply. Note that the motor starts smoothly
and continues to run as an ordinary induction motor. Write down the current in AC
winding.
6. Now turn off the AC power supply.
7. Now couple the synchronous motor with a DC generator. The generator will be used
as load for the motor.
8. Connect the rotor of the synchronous motor to the fixed 240 V dc output of the power
supply, terminals 8 and N. Set the field rheostat for zero resistance (control knob
turned fully cw) and close the switch S.
EEE 270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional – Experiment 3 Page-04
The lab sheet is prepared by Dr. Apratim Roy, Dr. Orchi Hassan, Shoilie Chakma, Suzit Hasan Nayem EEE,
BUET, on 25-Nov-23
9. Turn on the three phase AC power supply and observe what happens. Do not leave the
power on for longer than 10 seconds!
10. Does the motor vibrates or rotates smoothly?
• Vibrates
• Rotates
11. Note down the current in DC and AC ammeter.
12. Now turn off the excitation switch of rotor and turn on again after few seconds.
Observe what happens.
13. Does the motor vibrates or rotates smoothly?
• Vibrates
• Rotates
14. Note down the current in DC and AC ammeter.
4.3 Data Collection
Rated current of rotor :
Rated voltage of rotor :
Rated current of stator winding:
Rated voltage of stator winding:
Rated speed of motor:
Current readings at different conditions:
I1 I2
When motor runs as
induction motor
First DC, then AC source
turned ON
First AC , then DC source
turned ON
4.4 Report
1. Describe what happened when both stator and rotor windings are connected to power
supply at the same time. Explain why that happened? What did the AC ammeter
indicate?
EEE 270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional – Experiment 3 Page-05
The lab sheet is prepared by Dr. Apratim Roy, Dr. Orchi Hassan, Shoilie Chakma, Suzit Hasan Nayem EEE,
BUET, on 25-Nov-23
2. Explain what happened in procedure 12-13. Is the motor running as synchronous
motor?
3. Why synchronous motor cannot start by itself? Mention other methods to start a
synchronous motor.
EEE 270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional – Experiment 3 Page-06
The lab sheet is prepared by Dr. Apratim Roy, Dr. Orchi Hassan, Shoilie Chakma, Suzit Hasan Nayem EEE,
BUET, on 25-Nov-23
5 PART B: Obtaining DC current vs AC current characteristic
curve
5.1 Experimental set-up
Fig. 5.1.: Connection diagram for obtaining V curve
5.2 Procedure:
1. Using your Three-Phase Synchronous Motor/Generator, Single-Phase Wattmeter,
Power Supply, AC Ammeter, AC Voltmeter and DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, connect the
circuit shown in Figure 5.1. Note that the stator windings are connected, through the
wattmeter, to the fixed 415 V, 3-phase output of the power supply, terminals 1, 2 and
3. The rotor winding is connected, through the ammeter, to the variable 0-240 V dc
output of the power supply, terminals 7 and N. The voltage adjust control knob should
be at zero.
2. Open the switch S and set the field rheostat for zero resistance (knob turned fully cw)
3. With the DC excitation at zero, measure and record E1 , I1 , Wp in Table 5.3.
4. Repeat for each of the DC current values listed in Table 5.3. Take your measurements
as quickly as possible when the excitation exceeds 0.4 A dc. Turn off the power
supply and change ammeter ranges when the currents drop below 0.3 A dc. Remember
to note the polarity of the wattmeter indications.
5. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply
6. Complete Table 5.3 by calculating apparent power (remember to multiply by 1.73),
active power and power factor
EEE 270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional – Experiment 3 Page-07
The lab sheet is prepared by Dr. Apratim Roy, Dr. Orchi Hassan, Shoilie Chakma, Suzit Hasan Nayem EEE,
BUET, on 25-Nov-23
5.3 Data Collection
No of I2 E1 I1 Apparent WP Total Power
observation power power factor
=3Wp
1 0
10
5.4 Report
1. Plot the recorded AC current values vs DC current values from Table 5.3
EEE 270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional – Experiment 3 Page-08
The lab sheet is prepared by Dr. Apratim Roy, Dr. Orchi Hassan, Shoilie Chakma, Suzit Hasan Nayem EEE,
BUET, on 25-Nov-23
2. Plot the recorded power factors vs DC current values from Table 5.3
3. Comment on the appearance of both curve
4. A synchronous motor is sometimes called synchronous capacitor. Explain.
5. . Might a synchronous motor equally well be called a synchronous inductor?
EEE 270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional – Experiment 3 Page-09
The lab sheet is prepared by Dr. Apratim Roy, Dr. Orchi Hassan, Shoilie Chakma, Suzit Hasan Nayem EEE,
BUET, on 25-Nov-23
6. Comment on the active power consumed by the motor during procedure 3-4.
EEE 270 – Electrical Drives and Instrumentation Sessional – Experiment 3 Page-10
The lab sheet is prepared by Dr. Apratim Roy, Dr. Orchi Hassan, Shoilie Chakma, Suzit Hasan Nayem EEE,
BUET, on 25-Nov-23
