Introduction

As the name suggests Synchronous motors are capable of running at constant speed irrespective
of the load acting on them. Unlike induction motors where speed of the motor depends upon the
torque acting on them, synchronous motors have got constant speed-torque characteristics.

A synchronous motor is an AC motor in which, at steady state, the rotation of the shaft is
synchronized with the frequency of the supply current; the rotation period is exactly equal to an
integral number of AC cycles. Synchronous motors contain multiphase AC electromagnets on
the stator of the motor that create a magnetic field which rotates in time with the oscillations of
the line current. The rotor with permanent magnets or electromagnets turns in step with the
stator field at the same rate and as a result, provides the second synchronized rotating magnet
field of any AC motor. A synchronous motor is only considered doubly fed if is supplied with
independently excited multiphase AC electromagnets on both the rotor and stator.

Synchronous motors have the following characteristics:

A three-phase stator similar to that of an induction motor. Medium voltage stators are
often used.
A wound rotor (rotating field) which has the same number of poles as the stator, and is
supplied by an external source of direct current (DC). Both brush-type and brushless
exciters are used to supply the DC field current to the rotor. The rotor current establishes
a north/south magnetic pole relationship in the rotor poles enabling the rotor to lock-in-
step with the rotating stator flux.
Starts as an induction motor. The synchronous motor rotor also has a squirrel-cage winding,
known as an Amortisseur winding, which produces torque for motor starting.
Synchronous motors will run at synchronous speed in accordance with the formula:
Construction of Synchronous Motor
Normally it's construction is almost similar to that of a 3 phase induction motor,
except the fact that the rotor is given DC supply.Now, let us first go through the
basic construction of this type of motor. From the above picture, it is clear that
how this type of motors are designed. The stator is given three phase supply and
the rotor is given dc supply.

Basic Principles of Motor Operation

1. The filed current IF of the motor produces a steady-state magnetic field BR.
2. A three-phase set of voltage is applied to the stator of the machine.
3. A three-phase set of currents in an armature winding produces a uniform rotating
magnetic field BS.
4. There are two magnetic fields present in machine
5. The greater the angle between the two magnetic fields, the greater the torque on the
rotor of the machine.ind = k R S B B
6. The rotor chases the rotating stator magnetic field around in a circle, never quite
catching up with it.
Equivalent circuit of a synchronous motor per phase

The steady-state performance characteristics of the synchronous motor may be

studied using the equivalent circuit shown in Fig. 1

Figure 1: Synchronous motor

The circuit equation for a synchronous motor is thus

=++
=
where: Ra = armature resistance (/phase)
Xs = synchronous reactance (/phase)
Ia = armature current/phase(A)
This is exactly the same as the equation for a generator, except that the sign on the current
term has been reversed.
In order to satisfy the above circuit equation, the phasor (often regarded as the back emf of the motor) must

lag the terminal voltage by the load angle .

Steady-State Model of the Synchronous Motor

The synchronous motor can be analyzed in steady-state without using a dynamic model. The
motor is analyzed on the basis of the steady-state equivalent circuit .

Equivalent Circuit Model

The equivalent circuit model will be derived on a per-phase basis. The PMs produce
the flux f . The current Ia in the stator produces flux a . Part of this, known as the
leakage fluxal , does not link the rotor. A major part known as the armature reaction
fluxar is linked with the rotor. The resultant air gap flux is therefore the sum of
two component fluxes f and a .Each flux component (and the resultant flux)
induces a voltage component in the stator winding: f E f , ar Ear, al
Eal, E The excitation voltage Ef can be determined from the open circuit test.
However, the armature reaction voltage, Ear and the leakage flux voltage Eal, depend
on the armature current. Therefore they can be represented as voltage drops across
the reactances: Xar reactance of armature reaction and Xal, leakage reactance .

The Effect of Load Changes On A Synchronous Motor

If a load is attached to the shaft of a synchronous motor, the motor will develop enough
torque to keep the motor and its load turning at the synchronous speed. Moreover when a
load is changed, by increasing on a synchronous motor operating initially with a leading
power factor, the rotor will initially slow down. As it does, the torque angle becomes
larger, and the induced torque increases. The increase in induced torque eventually speeds
the rotor back up, and the motor again turns at synchronous speed but with a larger torque
angle . The speed is constrained to be constant by the input power supply, and since no
one has touched the field circuit, the field current is constant as well. Therefore EA must be
constant as the load changes. Observing how the change in the shaft load on a synchronous
motor affects the motor, there is one other quantity on a synchronous motor that can be
readily adjusted which is it field current. Any increase in the field current of synchronous
motors, increases the magnitude of EA but does not affect the real power supplied by the
motor. The power supplied by the motor changes only when the shaft load torque changes.
Since a change in IP does not affect the shaft speed n, and since the load attached to the
shaft is unchanged, the real power supplied is unchanged. Of course VT is also constant,
since it is kept constant by the power source supplying the motor. At low EA, the armature
current is lagging, and the motor is an inductive load. It is acting as an inductorresistor
combination, consuming reactive power QR and as the field current is increased further, the
armature current eventually lines up with VT.
If a load is attached to the shaft of a synchronous motor, the motor will develop
enough torque to keep the motor and its load turning at a synchronous speed.
What happens when the load is changed on a synchronous motor?
A synchronous motor operating initially with a leading power factor
If the load on the shaft of the motor is increased, the rotor will initially slow
down.
The torque angle becomes larger, and the induced torque increases.
The increase in induced torque eventually speeds the rotor back up, and the
motor again turns at synchronous speed but with a larger angle .
What does the phasor diagram look like during this process?
The motors phasor motor s diagram before the machine during a load change.
EA = K and so depends on only the field current and the speed of the
machine.
The speed is constrained to be constant by the input power supply.
No one has touched the field circuit, the filed current is constant as well.
E must be constant as the load changes
The distance proportional to power (EAsin and IAcos) will increase, but the
magnitude of EA must remain constant.
As the load increse, EA swing down.
As EA swings down further and further, the quantity jXAIA has to increase to
reach from the tip of EA to V, and therefore the IA also increase.
The power factor angle changes too, becoming less and less leading and then
more and more lagging.
the effect of field current change on a synchronous motor
What effect does a change in filed current have on a synchronous motor?
a synchronous motor initially operating at a lagging powerfactor.
Increase its field current and see what happens to the motor.
An increase in filed current increases the magnitude of EA but does not effect
the real power supplied by the motor.
Since a change in IF does not affect the shaft speed nm, and since the load
attached to the shaft is unchanged, the real power supplied is unchanged.
Of course, VT is also constant, since it is keep constant by the power source
supplying the motor.
What effect does a change in filed current have on a synchronous motor?
The distances proportional to power on the phasor diagram (EAsinand
IAcos) must therefore be constant.
When IF is increased, EA must increase, but it can only do so by sliding out
along the line of constant power.
As the value of EA increase, the magnitude of the IA first decreases and then
increases again.
At low EA, IA is lagging, and the motor is an inductive load.
It is acting like an inductor-resistor combination, consuming reactive power Q.
 As the IF is increased, the IA eventually lines up with V, and the motor looks
purely resistive.
As the IF is increased further, the IA becomes leading, and the motor becomes
a capacitive load.
It is now acting like a capacitor-resistor combination, consuming negative
reactive power Q or, alternatively, supplying reactive power Q to the system.
A plot of IA versus IF for a synchronous motor called a synchronous motor V curve.
There are several V curves drawn, corresponding to different real power
levels.
For each curve, the minimum IA occur at unity power factor, when only real
power is being supplied to the motor.
At any other point on the curve, some reactive power is being supplied to or by
the motor as well.
For IF less than the value giving minimum IA, the IA is lagging, consuming Q.
For IF grater than the value giving the maximum IA, the IA is leading,
supplying Q to the power system as a capacitor would.
By controlling the IF of synchronous motor, the reactive power supplied to or
consumed by the power system can be controlled.

The principal components of a synchronous motor are the stator and the rotor. The stator of
synchronous motor and stator of induction motor are similar in construction. With the wound-
rotor synchronous doubly fed electric machine as the exception, the stator frame
contains wrapper plate. Circumferential ribs and key bars are attached to the wrapper plate. To
carry the weight of the machine, frame mounts and footings are required. When the field winding
is excited by DC excitation, brushes and slip rings are required to connect to the excitation
supply. The field winding can also be excited by a brushless exciter. Cylindrical, round rotors,
(also known as non salient pole rotor) are used for up to six poles. In some machines or when a
large number of poles are needed, a salient pole rotor is used. The construction of synchronous
motor is similar to that of a synchronous alternator.

The Synchronous Condenser.

A synchronous motor purchased to drive a load can be operated overexcited to supply reactive
power QR for a power system. In fact, at some times in the past a synchronous motor was
purchased and run without a load, but simply for power factor correction in a power system.
However a synchronous condenser is a device quite similar to the synchronous motor, whose
shaft is not connected to anything but freely rotates. The condenser is not aimed at converting a
purely electrical power into mechanical power as the case with synchronous motors, but to adjust
conditions on the electric power transmission grid. Its field is barely controlled by a voltage
regulator to either generate or absorb reactive power as needed to adjust the girds voltage or to
improve power factor. By increasing the devices field excitation results in its furnishing reactive
power to the system. One big advantage of the condenser is the ease to which the amount of
correction can be adjusted. Large installation of synchronous condenser is sometimes used in
association with high voltage direct current converter stations to supply reactive power to the
alternation current grid only. Unlike a capacitor bank, the amount of reactive power from a
synchronous condenser can be continuously adjusted. Reactive power from a capacitor bank
decreases when grid voltage decreases (directly proportional to each other), while a synchronous
condenser can increase reactive current as voltage decreases (inversely proportional). One thing
to note is that synchronous machines generally have higher energy losses than static capacitor
banks. Most synchronous condensers connected to electric grids are rated between 20 MVAr and
200MVAr and mostly oil cooled. There is, no explosion hazard as long as the hydrogen
concentration is maintained above 70% rate. synchronous condensers ensure efficient and reliable
operation of power grids by providing reactive power compensation and additional short circuit power
capacity.

Methods of Starting of Synchronous Motor

Basically there are three methods that are used to start a synchronous motor:
1. Motor starting with an external prime Mover : Synchronous motors are mechanically
coupled with another motor. It could be either 3 phase induction motor or DC shunt motor. DC
excitation is not fed initially. It is rotated at speed very close to its synchronous speed and after
that DC excitation is given. After some time when magnetic locking takes place supply to the
external motor is cut off.
2. Damper winding : In case, synchronous motor is of salient pole type, additional winding is
placed in rotor pole face. Initially when rotor is standstill, relative speed between damper
winding and rotating air gap flux in large and an emf is induced in it which produces the
required starting torque. As speed approaches synchronous speed, emf and torque is reduced
and finally when magnetic locking takes place, torque also reduces to zero. Hence in this case
synchronous is first run as three phase induction motor using additional winding and finally it
is synchronized with the frequency.
3. Motor Starting by Reducing the supply Frequency
To reduce the speed of the rotating magnetic field of the stator to a low enough value that the rotor
can easily accelerate and lock in with it during one half-cycle of the rotating magnetic fields rotation.
This is done by reducing the frequency of the applied electric power. This method is usually followed
in the case of inverter-fed synchronous motor operating under variable speed drive applications.

Application of Synchronous Motor

Synchronous motors are used for constant speed, steady loads. High power factor
operations these motors are sometimes exclusively used for power factor
improvement. These motors find application in driving low speed compressors,
slow speed fans, pumps, ball mills, metal rolling mills and process industries.
1. Synchronous motor having no load connected to its shaft is used for power factor
improvement. Owing to its characteristics to behave at any electrical power factor, it is used in
power system in situations where static capacitors are expensive.
2. Synchronous motor finds application where operating speed is less (around 500 rpm) and high
power is required. For power requirement from 35 kW to 2500 KW, the size, weight and cost
of the corresponding three phase induction motor is very high. Hence these motors are
preferably used. Ex- Reciprocating pump, compressor, rolling mills etc.
 3. As synchronous motor is capable of operating under either leading or 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
cannot be used.
4. It is used where high power at low speed is required. Such as rolling mills, chippers,
mixers, pumps, pumps, compressor etc.

Equivalent Circuit Model Analysis Example

A 480V, 60 Hz, 6-pole, three-phase, delta-connected induction motor has the following parameters:
R1=0.461 , R2=0.258 , X1=0.507 , X2=0.309 , Xm=30.74
Rotational losses are 2450W. The motor drives a mechanical load at a speed of 1170 rpm. Calculate the following information:

i. Synchronous speed in rpm

ii. slip
iii. Line Current
iv. Input Power
v. Airgap Power
vi. Torque Developed
vii. Output Power in Hp
viii. Efficiency

Comments
This machine has no iron loss resistance, so the equivalent circuit is as follows:

i. Synchronous speed is given by:

Therefore

ns = 1200 rpm

ii. Slip is given by

Using the rpm equation,

s = (1200-1170)/1200 = 0.025

iii. Now, phase current is given by

where phase impedance is given by

 Using the above equation, Zin = 9.57 + j3.84
And noting that the machine is delta connected, V1 = VLL = 480V

I1 = 43.1 - j17.4 A. |I1| =46.6 A, = -21.9

Therefore IL = 3 46.6 = 80.6 A

iv. Input power is given by:

Therefore:

Pin = 62.2 kW

v. To find airgap power, There are two possible approaches:

a. Airgap power is the input power minus stator losses. In this case the core losses are grouped with rotational loss. Therefore

Pgap = 62.2 kW - 3 46.62 0.461

Pgap = 59.2 kW

b. Airgap Power is given by

This approach requires rotor current to be found. With no core loss resistance:

Giving I2 = 43.7 A. Substituting into the power equation

Pgap = 59.2kW

vi. Torque developed can be found from

 where synchronous speed in radians per second is given by

giving

= 471 Nm

vii. Output power in horsepower is the output power in Watts divided by 746. (there are 746 W in one Hp).

and

Therefore output power in Watts is:Pout = 55.3kW

Pout = 74.1 Hp

viii. Efficiency is given by

Therefore

= 55.3/62.2 = 88.9%

Thevenin Circuit Model Analysis Example

For the machine in the previous example, find:

i. Thevenin circuit parameters and Thevenin voltage

ii. Pullout slip
iii. Pullout Torque
iv. Start Torque

Using Matlab or Excel (or another computer program) plot the torque speed curve for slip in the range 0 to 1

i. Thevenin circuit parameters and Thevenin voltage:

Thevenin circuit parameters an voltage can be found using the equations provided on the formula sheet, or from first principles. The Thevenin voltage is the
voltage applied to the rotor assuming that the rotor current is zero. Thevenin impedance is the impedance of the stator part of the circuit, seen from the rotor,
assuming that the stator supply is short circuited.
 Substituting the equivalent circuit parameters in to the above equations gives:
VTH = 475.2 V, RTH = 0.452, XTH = 0.313

ii. Pullout slip

The slip at which maximum torque occurs can be found from maximum power transfer theory. Maximum torque and maximum airgap power occur at the same slip,
therefore maximum torque occurs when

iii. Pullout Torque

Pullout torque can be found by substituting the above pullout slip into the Thevenin torque equation

or from the maximum torque equation directly

Substituting into the above equation:

iv. Start Torque

Start torque can be found by setting s=1 in the above equation for torque.
Either Matlab or Excel can be used to produce a torque speed plot with fairly minimal effort. The file thevenin_torque_speed.m is a script which may be run to
produce the Matlab plot below

The file excel_trq_speed_example.xls contains an example of how to produce an Excel plot of the curve (shown below). Note that this file uses complex arithmetic,
which is part of the Excel "Analysis ToolPak" add-in. (Select Tools > Add-ins, Analysis ToolPak
 Module PE2

Problem 1

A three-phase, 4 pole, 60 Hz induction motor has a line-to-line voltage applied across its terminals equal
to 1214 volts. The parameter values for this motor are: R1=0.3 ohms, X1=1 ohm, Rc=large, Xm=30 ohms,
R2=0.3 ohms, X2=1 ohm. The slip corresponding to maximum torque is 0.1507. The current flowing in
the rotor circuit is |I2|=279 amperes.

(a) What is the synchronous speed of the rotor in rad/sec ?

(b) What is the difference in speed between rotor speed at maximum torque and synchronous rotor
speed ?
(c) Compute the Thevenin equivalent voltage and impedance looking left from the rotor circuit.
(d) Compute the maximum torque of this motor.

Solution to problem 1
2 f 2 2
(a) s 377 188.5radians / sec
1 p 4
 s m
(b) s s m s s 0.2626 188.5 49.5radians / sec
s

Z th Z a Z b Z a 0.3 j1, Z b

(c) Z th
0.3 j1 j30 0.28027 j 0.9705
0.3 j 31
1214 j 30
Vth 678.23 j 6.564 678.30.554V
3 0.3 j 31

R2' 0.3
3 279V
2
(d) Td 3 I 2' 1415.6ntu m
2

s s 0.2626188.5rad / sec

Problem 2

A three-phase, 4 pole, 60 Hz induction motor has a line-to-line voltage applied across its terminals equal
to 1214 volts. The parameter values for this motor are: R1=0.3 , X1=1 , Rc=, Xm=30 , R2=0.3 ,
X2=1 . The slip corresponding to maximum torque is 0.1507. You will recall that the expression for
torque is

2
3 I 2' R2'
TD
s s

(a) Find the Thevenin equivalent voltage and impedance seen looking left from the rotor circuit.
(b) Compute the speed of this motor, in mechanical rad/sec, under the maximum torque condition.
(c) Compute the maximum torque of this motor.

Solution to problem 2
 (a) Z th
0.3 j1 j30 0.2809 j 0.9705
0.3 j31
1214 j30
Vth 678 .23 j 6.5635 678 .26 0.554 V
3 0.3 j31

2
(b) s 377 188 .5
p

m s 1 s 188.51 0.0.1507 160.093rad / sec

(c)

Method 1 :

Vth 678.260.554
I 2' '
225.55 40.39
R2 0.3
Z th jX 2 0.2809 j 0.9705
'
j1
s 0.1507

0.3
TDmax 3 225.55 2 1611.77 N m
188.5 0.1507

Method 2 :

R2' 0.3
ST 0.1507

R X th X
2
th 2
' 2
0.2809 2 0.9705 1
2

3678.26
2
Tmax 1611.74 N m
2 188.5 0.2808 0.2809 2 0.9705 1
2

Problem 3

A three-phase, 4 pole, 60 Hz induction motor operates at a slip of s=0.08. The mechanical power
developed at the shaft is PD = 5 kW. (a) Compute the mechanical speed of this motor. (b) Compute the
power flowing across the air gap.
Solution to problem 3
2 2
s 377 377 188.5rad / sec
(a) p 4
m 1 .08188.5rad / sec 173.42rad / sec 1656.9rpm

2 R2' 1 s
PD 3 I 2' R2' 1 s
2
s ' 3 I 2'
2 R P s
(b) ; Pg 3 I 2' 2
D '
1 s
s Pg ' 2 R2
PD 5kW 3 I2
Pg 5.435kW s
1 s 1 .08

Problem 4

A 10 hp, 440 volt (line-to-line), three-phase induction motor has synchronous speed of 1800 and runs at 1700 rpm at
the full load power output of 10 hp. The stator copper loss is 200 W and the rotational loss is 400 W. Assume the
core losses are zero, i.e., Pc = 0. Determine

(a) Power developed, Pm (otherwise known as PD)

(b) Slip
(c) Input power to the rotor, Pg
(d) Rotor copper losses, Prc
(e) Total power input, Pin
(f) The magnitude of the current drawn by the motor, assuming the motor power factor is 0.80

Solution to problem 4

(a) Pm Pout Protational loss 7460 400 7860 W

1800 1700
(b) s 0.0556
1800
1
(c) Pg Pm 8322 .7W
1 s
s
(d) Prc Pg Pm s Pg Pm 462 .7W
1 s
 (e) Pin Pg Psc 8522.7W
(f) P 3V I cos
P 8522 .7
I 13 .98 A
3V cos 3 440 0.8

Problem 5

A three phase, 4 pole, 60 Hz induction motor operates with the parameter values: R1=0 , X1=3 , Rc=,
Xm=30 , R2=1 , X2=3 .

(a) Compute the synchronous rotor speed of this motor, ws , in rad/sec.

(b) Compute the slip corresponding to a rotor speed of wm =160 rad/sec
(c) Compute the mechanical torque developed at the rotor shaft when I 2' 80 amperes and the speed
is wm =160 rad/sec.

Solution to problem 5

2 f 2 2
(a) s 377 188.5rad / sec
1 p 4

s m 188.5 160
(b) s 0.1512
s 188.5

R2' 1 s
2 2 1 1 .1512
P 3 I 2' 3 80 107.78kW
s .1512
(c)
P 107.78kW
T 673.7ntu m
m 160rad / sec

Problem 6

A three-phase, 6 pole, 60 Hz, wye-connected induction motor has a line to line voltage applied across its
terminals of 220 volts. The parameter values for this motor are: R1 = 0.3 ohms, X1 = 0.5 ohms, Rc = large,
Xm = 15 ohms, R2 = 0.15 ohms, X2 = 0.2 ohms. For a slip of s = 0.02, compute:

(a) The synchronous speed s and the rotor speed r in rad/sec.

 (b) The Thevenin equivalent voltage and impedance looking left from the rotor circuit.
(c) The current magnitude in the rotor part of the equivalent circuit.
(d) The power delivered to the rotor across the airgap.
(e) The power and torque developed at the shaft.

Solution to problem 6

(a) s=(2/p) (377)=(2/6)(377)=125.67 rad/sec (=1200 rpm), r=(1-s) s=(1-0.02)125.67=123.16 rad/sec

(b) Za=R1+jX1=0.3+j0.5, Zb=(Rc//jXm)=jXm=j15

Zth=(ZaZb)/(Za+Zb)=(0.3+j0.5)(j15)/(0.3+j0.5+j15)=0.2809+j0.4893

Vth=V1(Zb)/(Za+Zb)=(220/3)(j15)/(0.3+j0.5+j15)=122.91.1122.9

(c) I2=Vth/(Zth+(R2/s)+jX2)=122.9/(0.2809+j0.4893+(0.15/0.02)+j0.2)=122.9/(7.781+j.6893)

=15.6721-j1.3884=15.7340.5 |I2| =15.734 amperes

(d) Pag=3|I2|2R2/s=3(15.734)2(0.15/0.02)=5570 watts

(e) Pd=3|I2|2R2(1-s)/s=3(15.734)2*0.15(1-.02)/0.02=5459 watts

Td=Pd/r=5459/123.16=44.32 ntn-m