AC Machines

Lecture 4: 3-Phase Induction Motor tests,

Equivalent Circuit & maximum power output

Mr. Melat Khalil

Email: melat.abdullah@uod.ac
 Main Tests Performed on an Induction Motor

• To determine losses, power factor, efficiency and other characteristics of an

induction motor various tests are performed on an induction motor:
➢stator resistance test
➢voltage-ratio Test
➢no-load test
➢blocked rotor test etc.…..
 Stator Resistance Test
• This test is performed to determine the resistance of stator winding.
• In this test resistance between two terminals of the stator winding is measured by voltmeter-ammeter
method using DC supply.
• this gives the resistance of two phases in series.
• To obtain the resistance of each phase, the measured value is divided by 2.
 Stator Resistance Test

• To obtain more accurate results, the resistance may be measured between terminals 1-2,2-3 and 3-1 as
𝑅1′ , 𝑅2′ and 𝑅3′ respectively. Then their average value is considered

Since the effective AC resistance is higher than the DC resistance, the average value 𝑅′ is multiplied by a
is multiplied by 1.2 to obtain the effective value.
 Voltage-ratio Test
• This test can only be performed on a phase-wound induction motors.
• Brushes are lifted from the slip-rings and stator is excited by 3-phase AC supply through a 3-phase variac at
normal frequency.
• The ratio of rotor to stator voltage can be measured by means of voltmeters connected on the both sides.
 No-load Test
• Is performed on induction motor when it is running without load.
• This test measure the magnitude of constant losses occurring in the motor.
 No-load Test
• The readings of wattmeter are taken with various values of applied voltage and then curve is plotted
against power and input voltage. From this curve windage and friction losses are determined.
• motor is at no-load the input power supplied to the motor is utilized to meet with the losses only.
• Losses are occurring in iron core of the stator as well as rotor which are called core losses.
• Small amount of copper loss is also occurring in stator winding. This can be neglected since stator
current is very small. Therefore, total power is the sum of rotor iron loss + copper loss in stator +
friction and windage loss.
• The readings noted at normal voltage and at rated frequency are considered to find out the fixed core
losses.
 No-load Test

Total power measured the wattmeter = 𝑃0

Copper losses in stator winding = 3𝐼02 𝑅1

where 𝐼0 is the no-load current measured by ammeter at normal voltage and rated frequency of supply
𝑅1 is the stator winding resistance per phase.

Total constant losses = 𝑃0 −3𝐼02 𝑅1

 Blocked Rotor Test
• This test is performed by locking the rotor (by holding the rotor not to rotate).
• This is carried out to know the copper loss at short circuit, power factor at short circuit and total
equivalent resistance and reactance of the motor referred to stator side.
 Blocked Rotor Test

Usually, the stator reactance per phase X1 is assumed to be equal to rotor reactance per phase as referred to stator side

In case of phase wound motors, the stator and rotor winding resistances per phase can be measured separately and the
resistance determined by the test is divided in the same ratio.
In case of squirrel cage motor, the rotor resistance per phase, as referred to stator, can be determined by subtracting R1
(calculated from stator resistance test) from Req1
 Blocked Rotor Test

The total power input to motor when rotor is locked is absorbed as total copper losses in the
motor as well as small iron losses (usually neglected). The iron losses are small since small
voltage only 10 to 15% of normal voltage is applied to circulate full load current in the motor.

Psc = total Cu loss in motor.

If Isc = full load current of motor then Psc is total copper loss on full load.
 Example

No-load and blocked rotor test were performed on a 400 V, 3-phase delta-connected inductions motor and the
following results were obtained:
• No-load test: 400 V; 2.5A; 600 W
• Blocked-rotor test: 200 V; 12.5 A; 1500 W
Determine energy (or working)component and magnetizing component of no-load current, no-load power factor,
exciting resistance and reactance per phase referred to stator side assuming that friction and winding lasses are
180 W. Also determine equivalent resistance and reactance of the motor referred to stator side as well as current
and power factor on short circuit with normal rated voltage of 400 V assuming that the stator winding resistance
per phase is 5 ohm.
 Equivalent Circuit of an Induction Motor
• Stator winding of a 3-phase induction motor is connected to 3-phase supply, the rotor circuit being closed (or
short circuited), torque is developed and rotor rotates.
• Energy is transferred from stator winding to rotor winding through magnetic flux.
• An induction motor is similar to a transformer with a rotating secondary.
Equivalent Circuit of an Induction Motor
Equivalent Circuit of an Induction Motor
 Simplified Equivalent Circuit of an Induction Motor

• To simplify the circuit, all the quantities which are represented on the rotor side can be referred to the stator side.

𝑅𝐿′ represents the equivalent electrical resistance represent gross mechanical load on the motor (or mechanical power
developed in the rotor).
Simplified Equivalent Circuit of an Induction Motor
• The equivalent circuit of an induction motor can further be simplified
 Maximum Power Output
• Power developed in the motor or gross power output of the motor

for maximum power output

 Maximum Power Output
Maximum power output condition is:

The gross maximum power output of the motor:

3𝑉 2
𝑃𝑔𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
2(𝑅𝑒𝑞1 + 𝑍𝑒𝑞1 )

The slip corresponding to maximum power developed:

Home work