Introduction

German students already know: "Wer misst, misst

Mist! Meaning: Those who take measurements,
measure mistakes". In fact it is not quite as bad.
The readings are usually correct and if all relevant
parameters are respected, one can lead also
differing test results together. In the following the
importance of the knowledge of the often-
neglected motor temperature is shown when
determining the characteristics of electric drives
and what errors may occur in case of disregard.

1. Test for Electrical Drives

1.1 Conventional Procedures.
The performance data of electric motors are
determined in the majority of all cases by a brake
test. Power input is calculated from current and
voltage. Torque and power output are measured
with a brake. It is important to reach for each point
a persistent temperature. This may take many
hours and also means that every point of a torque
curve can have a different temperature. However,
very often the motor temperature is not considered
at all. In most of the suppliers data on their motors
no temperature is mentioned for which the quoted
performance is valid. Some methods are on the
market with a speedy way of testing. In such a
case the test temperature is completely unclear. It
is neither related to an operational temperature,
nor is it constant.

1.2 M.E.A. Testing System
For several years an innovative motor tester of
M.E.A. Testing Systems Ltd. is on the market.
This test system avoids any temperature confusion
by testing a motor at constant temperature over
the entire speed range. During the test procedure,
the motor is freely accelerated from 0 to no load
speed. The load of the motor is only the
predetermined inertia of the rotor. From the
moment of inertia and the acceleration the torque
of the motor is calculated and also the power
output over the whole speed given. Since the
entire measuring time depending on the motor size
is usually in less than one second the motor has
no time to warm up. It remains at room tempera-















ture during the measurement or at a temperature
to which it was heated before starting the test. In
such a way motor characteristics at constant
temperature can be obtained
The method is very accurate, test results are very
well reproducible, regardless of the operator and
independent of any brakes, especially of their
additional mechanical losses. The method clearly
shows the influence of the temperature on motor
performance and efficiency.

2. Comparison of Test Methods

2.1 Three Phase Induction Motor
If it comes to comparing tests on one and the
same motor with different test methods, or even
different examiners or test institutes, there will
always be differences. Usually the test method is
immediately made responsible for the deviations.
Everyone has more confidence in the system he is
used to work with. Other systems will be
questioned and are suspect of delivering wrong
results. In principle all measurements are usually
correct, but obtained under differing conditions.
One of the often neglected influences is the motor
temperature. One has to be aware of this and will
thus be able to interpret differing test results.
An example from the practice may explain this.
Fig. 1 shows the torque of a 3phase induction
motor of 0.25 kW at 400 V determined by a M.E.A.
system at different stator temperatures. Also the
same motor was measured with a Magtrol -
dynamometer, and the results of the manufacturer
on a brake dynamometer are shown. It is always
the same identical motor.
MEA have tested at 3 different winding
temperatures of 20, 57 and 94 C. The
temperature was determined by the M.E.A.
MotorHeat process by means of the changing
stator winding resistance.
The temperature dependent resistance change
leads to a different current drawn by the motor
during the free acceleration. A temperature
increase from 20 to 94 C yields in a current

M.E.A. Test
example
Testing of Electrical
Motors at Variable
Temperatures


















reduction of about 20% (Fig. 2) and thus leads to
corresponding reduction in power input, torque
and power output of also 20 %. The efficiency of
3phase induction motors remains independent of
the temperature. As mentioned, the M.E.A. test
system executes this whole measurement
procedure in less than a second. The engine
temperature can therefore be considered as a
constant. The dynamometer torque curves of the
manufacturer were probably taken in the
temperature range 60 to 85 C. The control
measurement with the Magtrol system started at
20C. During the test the motor assumed a
temperature of approximately 55 to 57C. The
example shows which different results may be
obtained when the temperature is neglected. If the
measuring time is extended on the brake test
bench the motor heats further up and the result will
be different again. With each test system identical
results could be achieved by running the motor at
the same temperatures. Interestingly the efficiency
of 3 phase motors is independent of the
temperature. Without knowing that the same motor
was tested with different temperature conditions,
one might start probably irrelevant considerations
and actions













Fig. 1: Torque vs. speed of a 3-phase induction motor 0.25 kW, 400 V
at different temperature conditions

















Fig. 2: Current to Fig. 1 at various stator temperatures

What does this mean? This means that
manufacturers motor data without indication of the
motor temperature are meaningless.If the motor
temperatures during the test are neglected
arbitrary results may be achieved. Checks of
motor users for a certain application - again
without taking into account the temperature - may
lead to flagrant deviations.
3. Conclusion
It is evident that tests at differing motor
temperatures may lead to deviating results. The
influence seems to be widely unknown to motor
user in their specific applications and
evensometimes to motor manufacturers. The new
IEC Standard 60034-2-1 creates a certain clarity.
Firstly, a coolant temperature of 25 C shall apply.
For variations, there is a correction formula. The
motor shall be brought to persistent operation
temperature in the load point.
With the M.E.A. test system it is possible to
measure a motor at constant winding temperature.
This may be ambient room temperature or any
elevated temperature. When the desired
temperature is reached, the motor is accelerated
and the readings are taken. In case a brake is used
for heating the motor the brake has to be
deactivated. Torque charts of a motor as a function
of temperature can be obtained in such a way. It is
important to have the exact information on the
temperature test conditions.

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M.E.A. Testing Systems Ltd.
www.meatesting.com

+c Hagavish St., P.O.B. 8/+5, Poleg !ndustrial Zone, Netanya +250+, !srael Tel: +9/2-9-8858989 Fax: +9/2-9-8858985 sales@mea.co.il
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