Electrical Machines

LSEGG216A
9080V

Synchronous Motors

Week 14

Introduction
State the principles of operation of a synchronous motor.
Identify the main parts of a synchronous
alternator/motor.
List the methods used to provide the excitation of a
synchronous alternator/motor.
List the starting methods of synchronous

Motor Types
3 Phase

1 Phase
Reluctance
Hysteresis
Permanent Magnet
Inductor

Characteristics

High operating efficiency

Smooth constant starting & accelerating torque
Versatile power factor control
Constant speed
Considerably more expensive than induction motors
Zero starting torque

Stator
Same as an induction motors stator
Some books may call this the Armature

Rotor
Wound simular to a wound rotor induction motor
When operating DC voltage is placed across this
coil to produce an electromagnet
Some books may call this the Field Windings

Motor Speed
Magnetic force is obtained from an external source
(In an induction machine rotors magnetism is induced from the stator)

Rotor poles lock onto the RMF

Called Excitation
Rotor operates at synchronous speed

N sync

120f

= Nrotor
P

Torque Angle

No Load

Torque Angle
Torque Angle
Dependant on:
Load torque
Excitation
The magnetic link between the
stator & the rotor can be thought
of as a connecting spring.

Full Load

The excitation can be used to

strengthen the spring

Torque Angle
If the load Torque fluctuates
Or
Changes rapidly
The magnetic Spring will bounce
Causing large fluctuations in supply current
Amortisseur windings are added to the rotor
Also known as hunting

Amortisseur Windings
Similar to the squirrel cage found in induction machines
Also Known as Damper windings
When relative movement between the stator and the
rotor poles occurs
Voltage is induced into these windings.
Subsequent induced magnetic field tends to slow
movement and act like a shock absorber
Can be used to aid starting in a simular way to that of the
squirrel cage conductors

Starting
Zero starting Torque
Number of methods:
Pony Motor
Low Frequency

Pony Motor

Starting

An auxiliary smaller motor is used to spin the main motor

up to or near Synchronous speed

Starting
Low Frequency
The rotors excitation windings are short circuited
Act like a wound rotor induction motor
Supply is applied at reduced voltage & frequency
Rotor builds up speed
Excitation is then applied to windings and rotor locks in
Tumit 3 and the Shoalhaven hydro schemes use this system

Motor Uses
Can be used as a standard motor similar to an
induction motor
As an induction machine is cheaper it
is seldom used just as a motor

Main use as a power factor correction device

Sometimes called a rotary capacitor

Power Factor Correction

The stator current will drop

And the Power Factor Improves

As we increase the excitation

The stator current will increase

Power Factor Correction

And the Power Factor detieriates

If we continue to increase the excitation

Power Factor Correction

Curve A = Stator Current

Curve B = Power Factor

These curves are known as

Vee Curves

Power Factor Correction

These curves are only applicable for a
set load torque

A different load will produce a different set of curves

Power Factor Correction

If the bride is over
Unityexcited she will
lead you to the marriage bed

Lagging

Under Excited

Leading

Over Excited

Power Factor Correction

A motor has full load of 100A and an excitation current
of 8A what will be:
The stator current?
PF of the motor?

Power Factor Correction

PF = 0.9 Lagging

Stator Current
38% X 100A = 38A

Example
A load of 450 kVA operates at a power factor of 0.65
lagging.
An additional synchronous motor is added having an
input power of 90 kW and a maximum power factor of
0.85 leading.
Determine reactive power and the overall power factor

450 x cos 49.5=

292.5kW
49.5
450kVA

450 x sin 49.5=

342kVar

Example
A load of 450 kVA operates at a power factor of 0.65
lagging.
An additional synchronous motor is added having an
input power of 90 kW and a maximum power factor of
0.85 leading.
Determine reactive power and the overall power factor
292.5 + 90 =

382.5kW

tan-1 x 286/382.5 = 36.8

PF =

0.8 Lag

90 x tan 31.8 =
292.5kW
49.5
450kVA

31.8
90kW
342kVar

55.8kVar
342 55.8 = 286kVar