Synchronous Motor
Synchronous Motor
Synchronous Motor
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.
Synchronous motors have got higher efficiency (electrical to mechanical power conversion ratio) than its
counterparts. Its efficiency ranges from 90 92%.
Fig.1 Synchronous motors are high efficiency and high accuracy machines
Fig.2 Interaction between a revolving and constant magnetic field helps in achieving constant speed characteristic
The field coil of stator is excited by a 3 phase AC supply. This will produce a revolving magnetic field (RMF), which
rotates at synchronous speed. The way RMF is produced with 3 phase AC excitation is explained in a separate
article. RMF produced in a synchronous motor and its direction is marked in Fig.2
Fig.3 In first figure opposite poles of RMF and Rotor pole get attracted, rotor already rotating: In second figure poles are
magnetically locked
Synchronous Speed
Speed at which RMF rotates or Synchronous speed can easily be derived as follows.
It is clear from the relationship that speed of synchronous motor,N s(rpm) is directly proportional to frequency of
the electricity,f(Hz).P represents number of poles of the rotor. This means that if one has got control over
frequency of the electricity, speed of synchronous motor can be very accurately controlled. This is the reason why
they are suitable for high precision applications.
Fig.4 In first figure opposite poles of RMF and rotor get attracted, when the rotor has no initial rotation: In 2nd figure this becomes
a repulsive force
So it can be summarized that synchronous motors are not inherently self starting.
Fig.5 Damper winding (squirrel cage) is fitted through poles of the rotor
At the starting rotor field coils are not energized. So with revolving magnetic field, electricity is induced in
squirrel cage bars and rotor starts rotating just like an induction motor starts.
Fig.7 Damper winding helps synchronous motor start just like an induction motor starts
When the rotor has achieved its maximum speed, rotor field coils are energized. So as discussed earlier poles of
rotor gets locked with poles of RMF and will start rotating at synchronous speed. When rotor rotates at
synchronous speed, relative motion between squirrel cage and RMF is zero. This means zero current and force on
squirrel cage bars, thus it will not affect synchronized operation of the motor.
Synchronous Condenser
Synchronous motors can also be used to improve overall power factor of the system. When the sole purpose of
application is power factor improvement synchronous motors are referred as synchronous condenser. In such
situation shaft of the motor is not connected to any mechanical load and it spins freely.