Synchronous Motor
Synchronous motor and induction motor are the most widely used types of AC motor.
Construction of a synchronous motor is similar to an alternator (AC generator). A
same synchronous machine can be used as a synchronous motor or as an alternator.
Synchronous motors are available in a wide range, generally rated between 150kW to 15MW
with speeds ranging from 150 to 1800 rpm.
Construction Of Synchronous Motor
The construction of a synchronous motor (with salient pole rotor) is as shown in the figure at
left. Just like any other motor, it consists of a stator and a rotor. The stator core is constructed
with thin silicon lamination and insulated by a surface coating, to minimize the eddy current
and hysteresis losses. The stator has axial slots inside, in which three phase stator winding is
placed. The stator is wound with a three phase winding for a specific number of poles equal to
the rotor poles
The rotor in synchronous motors is mostly of salient pole type. DC supply is given to the rotor
winding via slip-rings. The direct current excites the rotor winding and creates electromagnetic
poles. In some cases permanent magnets can also be used. The figure above illustrates
the construction of a synchronous motor very briefly.
Working Of Synchronous Motor
The stator is wound for the similar number of poles as that of rotor, and fed with three phase AC
supply. The 3 phase AC supply produces rotating magnetic field in stator. The rotor winding is
fed with DC supply which magnetizes the rotor. Consider a two pole synchronous machine as
shown in figure below.
Now, the stator poles are revolving with synchronous speed (lets say clockwise). If the
rotor position is such that, N pole of the rotor is near the N pole of the stator (as shown in
first schematic of above figure), then the poles of the stator and rotor will repel each other,
and the torque produced will be anticlockwise.
The stator poles are rotating with synchronous speed, and they rotate around very fast and
interchange their position. But at this very soon, rotor can not rotate with the same angle
(due to inertia), and the next position will be likely the second schematic in above figure.
In this case, poles of the stator will attract the poles of rotor, and the torque produced will
be clockwise.
Hence, the rotor will undergo to a rapidly reversing torque, and the motor will not start.
But, if the rotor is rotated upto the synchronous speed of the stator by means of an external
force (in the direction of revolving field of the stator), and the rotor field is excited near the
synchronous speed, the poles of stator will keep attracting the opposite poles of the rotor (as the
rotor is also, now, rotating with it and the position of the poles will be similar throughout the
cycle). Now, the rotor will undergo unidirectional torque. The opposite poles of the stator and
rotor will get locked with each other, and the rotor will rotate at the synchronous speed.
Characteristic Features Of A Synchronous Motor
Synchronous motor will run either at synchronous speed or will not run at all.
The only way to change its speed is to change its supply frequency. (As Ns = 120f / P)
Synchronous motors are not self starting. They need some external force to bring them near
to the synchronous speed.
They can operate under any power factor, lagging as well as leading. Hence, synchronous
motors can be used for power factor improvement.
Synchronous Motor Torque-Speed Characteristic Curve
Starting Methods of Synchronous Motor
A synchronous motor is not inherently self-starting. Therefore, it requires some auxiliary
means of starting. In order to start a synchronous motor, there are following two methods –
Starting with an external prime mover
Starting with damper windings
Synchronous Motor Starting with an External Prime Mover
In this method of starting a synchronous motor, an external motor is used to drive the synchronous
motor as shown in Figure-1.
The external motor brings the synchronous motor to synchronous speed and then the synchronous
motor is synchronised with the AC supply as a synchronous generator. Then the prime mover
(i.e., the external motor) is disconnected. Once synchronised, the synchronous machine will
operate as a motor.
Now, the mechanical load can be connected to the shaft of the synchronous motor. Since the load
is not connected to the synchronous motor before synchronising, thus the prime mover motor has
to overcome only the inertia of the synchronous motor at no-load. Consequently, the rating of the
prime mover or starting motor is much smaller than the rating of the synchronous motor.
Synchronous Motor Starting with Damper Windings
At present, damper windings are most widely used method of starting a synchronous motor. A
damper winding is made up of heavy copper bars inserted in slots cut into the pole faces of the
rotor as shown in Figure-2. These copper bars are then short-circuited by end rings at both ends
of the rotor.
Hence, this arrangement of copper bars and end rings form a squirrel cage winding.
When the armature of the synchronous motor is connected to a three-phase supply, the
synchronous motor with damper winding will start as a 3-phase squirrel cage induction motor.
When the motor attains a speed nearer to the synchronous speed, the DC field excitation is applied
to the rotor field windings. Then, the rotor will pull into step with the rotation magnetic field of
the armature and hence the motor runs at synchronous speed.
Motor Starting by Reducing the supply Frequency:
If the rotating magnetic field of the stator in a synchronous motor rotates at a low enough speed,
there will be no problem for the rotor to accelerate and to lock in with the stator’s magnetic
field.The speed of the stator magnetic field can then be increased to its rated operating speed by
gradually increasing the supply frequency f up to its normal 50- or 60-Hz value. This approach
to starting of synchronous motors makes a lot of sense, but there is a big problem: Where from
can we get the variable frequency supply? The usual power supply systems generally regulate
the frequency to be 50 or 60 Hz as the case may be.
Application Of Synchronous Motor
As synchronous motor is capable of operating under either leading and lagging power
factor, it can be used for power factor improvement. A synchronous motor under no-load
with leading power factor is connected in power system where static capacitors can not be
used.
It is used where high power at low speed is required. Such as rolling mills, chippers,
mixers, pumps, pumps, compressor etc.
