EXPERIMENT NO.

AIM

To perform load test on a single phase capacitor start induction motor.

Objectives
 To perform load test with powder brake.
 To draw torque-slip characteristics of the loaded motor.

Introduction

An electric motor converts electrical energy into a mechanical energy which is then supplied to different
types of loads. AC motors operate on an AC supply, and they are classified into synchronous, single
phase and 3 phase induction motor, and special purpose motors.

SINGLE PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR

A single phase induction motor has two parts-a stator and rotor (rotor generally of squirrel cage type).
The supply is fed to the stator windings. As a result of that, a magnetic field is developed on the stator
windings. In a single phase induction motor, there is only single field winding exited with alternating
current and hence a single phase induction motor is not inherently self-starting since it does not have a
true revolving field. Various methods have been devised to initiate rotation of the squirrel cage rotor and
the particular method employed to start the rotor of single phase motor will designate the specific type
of motor.

TORQUE-SPEED CHARACTERISTICS

The rotor current due to forward air gap flux has frequency sf where f is the supply frequency and the
rotor current due to backward flux has frequency  2  s  f .These currents are considered to be
developed only by the corresponding induced emfs independent of each other. Therefore, the forward
and backward equivalent circuits for balanced two phase motor connected to unbalanced source can
be drawn separately. These are shown in Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2.
 Figure 1.1 Forward equivalent circuit of balanced 2-phase motor connected to unbalanced source

Figure 1.2 Backward equivalent circuit of balanced 2-phase motor connected to unbalanced source

If T f is the torque developed due to forward flux wave and Tb due to backward flux, the net torque in the
2-phase machine.
R2' 2 R
'
Tnet  T f  Tb  2  I 'f 
 2  I b' 
2
2
Synchronous watts (1)
s 2s
A single-phase motor is a special case of a two phase balanced motor supplied from an unbalanced
source in which case I a  0 . i.e
jI f  jI b  I a
jI f  jI b  0 or jI f  jI b
Again we know that,
I m  I f  I b or I m  2 I f (2)
Again we have
Vm  V f  Vb (3)
So the forward and backward equivalent circuits of Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2 can be combined
together into a single circuit shown in Figure 1.3. Further, as per Eq. (2) showing I m  2 I f , the
equivalent circuit of Figure 1.3 can be further modified by reducing resistances and reactances to half
so as to double all the currents in the circuit including the supply current which now becomes equal to
I m . The modified equivalent circuit is shown in Figure 1.4.

Figure 1.3 Series connected equivalent circuit for a single phase induction motor

Refer to Eq. (1). The forward torque

 2
R2'  I mf
'
 R2' R2'
Tf  2  I    I mf' 
2 2
'
 2  (4)
f
s 
 2  s 2s

Figure 1.4 Equivalent circuit of a single-phase induction motor

Similarly, backward torque

R2'
Tb   I mb 
' 2
(5)
22 - s
R2'
Thus forward torque T f is the power in the resistance and the backward torque is the power in the
2s
R2'
resistance of Figure 1.4. The difference T f  Tb is the net torque.
22 - s

It should be noted that E f and Eb are proportional to forward flux  f and backward flux  b
respectively. Thus
f Ef
 (6)
b Eb
The iron loss in a single-phase induction motor is small. As such resistance R0 is very large and it can
be omitted from the equivalent circuit of Figure 1.4. The new equivalent circuit is shown in Figure 1.5.
The iron loss and mechanical losses, i.e. stray power loss can be subtracted from the developed
mechanical power T f  Tb  1  s  calculated from the equivalent circuit of Figure 1.5 for a specified
value of slip s. Figure 1.5 (b) is the simplification of the Figure 1.5 (a) where Z f and Z b replace
corresponding parallel branches. Thus
 R2' X 2'  X 0
  j j
 2s 2  2
Zf  '  R f  jX f (7)
R2  X 2' X 0 
 j  
2s  2 2 

 R2' X'  X
 j 2j 0
22  s 2  2
Zb   '  Rb  jX b (8)
R2  X 2' X 0 
 j  
22  s  2 2 

Figure 1.5 Approximate equivalent circuit of a single-phase induction motor

R2' R2'
As R0 is eliminated, power in is equal to power in R f and power in is equal to power in Rb .
2s 22  s
So forward torque,
T f  I m2 R f (9)
And backward torque,
Tb  I m2 Rb (10)
The net torque,
Tnet  I m2  R f  Rb  synchronous watts. (11)

The mechanical power developed = 1  s  Tnet . (12)

The mechanical power output = Tnet 1- s  - stray power loss . (13)
The torques developed, T f and Tb , are plotted in Figure 1.6. These curves are also extended into the
region of negative speed. This is usually done to show the torque that must be overcome when the
motor is driven in the backward direction by a prime mover.

Figure 1.6 Speed-torque characteristic of a single phase induction motor.

Electromagnetic powder brake

Electromagnetic powder brake is based on electromagnetic theory and the use of magnetic torque
transmission. Its exciting current and transmission of torque have a linear relationship between the
basic features. It is designed to work with continuously slipping, while the power transmission is by
magnetic powder.

Working principle

When electricity is supplied to the brake, the magnetic field inside the coil begins to fluctuate depending
on the ratio of the current intensity. In the end, these magnetic field fluctuations affect the viscosity of
the magnetic powder between the rotor and the stator. When electrical power is applied to the coil, the
powder particles line up along the lines of force of the magnetic field binding the rotor and stator
together as shown in fig: 2(b). This produces friction, and braking ensues. However, when the current is
disconnected, centrifugal force presses the powder against the stator. This subsequently releases the
rotor, which can then turn freely once more as shown in fig: 2(a). The braking size depends on the
excitation voltage and is independent of the rotor speed. The braking power is dissipated as heat, well
drained by heat sink and ventilating fan.

Fig:2(a) - representation of the powder particles lining up along the magnetic lines of force
Fig: 2(b) - representation of the centrifugal force pressing the particles back towards the stator after the
magnetic field is gone.

Procedure

Figure: 3(a)represents schematic diagram of Powder Brake

1=Graduated arm; 2=Measuring weight; 3= Water level; 4= Machine half-joint; 5= Fan; 6= External
frame; 7=Balancing weight
Fig: 3(a)
1. Before connecting the magnetic brake according to fig: 1(a) to an exited dc supply, connect an
induction motor to its Machine half-joint and allow it to rotate it at full swing.
2. Notice the rotation of the coupling. If the rotation is towards the balancing weight then proceed
further otherwise change the direction of rotation or interchange the position of the measuring
and balancing weight.
3. Then set the measuring weight at mark-0 of the graduated arm and then balance the position of
the air bubble in the water-level by adjusting the balancing weight position so that the swinging
stator gets balanced. (*note- from now-on-wards, the position of the balancing weight should
not be changed till the end of the experiment).
4. Then apply an arbitrary load to the motor by applying an arbitrary exiting voltage to the
magnetic brake keeping in mind about the ratings of the machines.(*note- It is always advised
to start the experiment with maximum load to the induction motor when the brake is certainly
cool and then decrease the load in steps. This is just because not to heat the motor windings).
5. Again adjust the position of the air bubble in the water level of the arm by adjusting the position
of the measuring weight as shown in fig: 3(b).
6. Note down the distance “b” moved by the measuring weight as shown in fig: 3(b).
7. Note down the rotating speed (n) in rpm of the magnetic brake.
8. Continue the experiment with some different exciting voltage to the magnetic brake keeping in
mind about the ratings of the machine.
 Fig:3(b)- balance weight position

Calculations
 The braking torque (M) in Nm = Measuring Weight (G) in Newton * Distance moved (b) in m.
 The braking power or the effective mechanical power that the machine under test provides on
the shaft (Pr) = 2π ∗ N ∗ in W
Where,
M= Torque (Nm)
N = Rotation speed of the coupling(rpm)

Fig 4: Experimental connection diagram

Tabulation

Vac Im b Vdc Idc Speed(N) Slip Torque(M) Theoretical Torque Pr

Torque error
 Advantage of the experiment
 Calculation in advance about the rated torque (Mn) of the motor, using the rated values
Mn (in Nm) = 60 ∗
Where,
Pr= rated power of the induction motor
n = rated rotational speed of the induction motor at the rated power.
 Pre-establishment of the braking torques (M) at various fourths of the rated torque and also up to 25%
over-load .i.e.
M (Nm) = 0 - 1/4 MN- 2/4 MN- 3/4 MN - 4/4 MN - 5/4 MN

Pre-experiment
1. What are the different types on single phase motors and their applications?
2. Explain why a single-phase induction has no starting torque?
3. What are the starting methods of single phase induction motor?
4. Explain the behavior of a 1- phase induction motor under different loads?
5. Why is the starting torque of a capacitor start induction motor high?

Post-Experiment Questions

1. Draw the torque speed characteristics.

2. Find out the theoretical torque for each set of readings and compare with the experimental
torque.
3. What are ratings of the various measuring instruments and motor used?