Experiment 10 Lab Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE 3213: Electrical Machines 2 Laboratory

Title: Study of Synchronous Motor - Part I

Introduction:

In this lab the students will examine the construction of the 3-phase synchronous motor.They will also
observe the starting characteristics of the 3-phase synchronous motor.

Theory:

The synchronous motor gets its name from the term synchronous speed, which is the natural speed of the
rotating magnetic field of the stator. As you have learned, this natural speed of rotation is controlled
strictly by the number of pole pairs and the frequency of the applied power.

Like the induction motor, the synchronous motor makes use of the rotating magnetic field. Unlike the
induction motor, however, the torque developed does not depend on the induction currents in the rotor.
Briefly, the principle of operation of the synchronous motor is as follows:

A polyphase source of ac is applied to the stator windings and a rotating magnetic field is produced.

A direct current is applied to the rotor windings and a fixed magnetic field is produced.

The motor is so constructed that these two magnetic fields react with each other causing the rotor to rotate
at the same speed as the rotating magnetic field.

If a load is applied to the rotor shaft, the rotor will momentarily fall behind the rotating field but will
continue to rotate at the same synchronous speed.

The falling behind is comparable to the rotor being tied to the rotating field with a rubber band. Heavier
loads will cause stretching of the band so the rotor position lags the stator field but the rotor continues to
turn at the same speed. If the load is made too large, the rotor will pull out of synchronism with the
rotating field and, as a result, will no longer rotate at the same speed. The motor is then said to be
overloaded.

The synchronous motor is not a self-starting motor. The rotor is heavy and, from a dead stop, it is not
possible to bring the rotor into magnetic lock with the rotating magnetic field. For this reason, all
synchronous motors have some kind of starting device. A simple starter is another motor which brings the
rotor up to approximately 90 percent of its synchronous speed. The starting motor is then disconnected
and the rotor locks in step with the rotating field. The more commonly used starting method is to have the
rotor include a squirrel cage induction winding. This induction winding brings the rotor almost to
synchronous speed as an induction motor. The squirrel cage is also useful even after the motor has
attained synchronous speed, because it tends to dampen rotor oscillations caused by sudden changes in
loading. The 3-phase synchronous motor you will use has a squirrel cage induction winding.

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 Experiment 10 Lab Manual

Prelab Homework:

Students should read the theory part of this lab handout and also read the text book regarding the basic
construction and operation of Synchronous motor.

Instruments and Components:

1) Synchronous Motor/Generator
2) AC Ammeter
3) AC Voltmeter
4) Synchronizing Module
5) Power Supply
6) Electrodynamometer
7) Hand Tachometer
8) Connection Leads
9) Timing Belt

Precaution:

High voltages are present in this Laboratory Experiment! Do not make any connections with the power
on! The power should be turned off after completing each individual measurement!

Procedure:

1. Examine the construction of the Synchronous Motor/Generator, paying particular attention to the slip
rings, rotor, stator windings and the rotor poles.

2. Viewing the motor from the rear of the module:

a) Identify the two slip rings and brushes.

b) Can the brushes be moved?

c) Note how the two rotor windings are brought out to the two slip rings.

d) Identify the dc damping windings on the rotor. Although there are only two windings, they are
connected so that their magnetomotive forces act in opposition, thus creating four poles.

e) Identify the four salient poles just beneath the damping windings.

f) Identify the stator winding and note that it is identical to that of the threephase squirrel cage and
wound-rotor motors.

3. Examine the front panel of the module.

a) The three separate stator windings are connected to terminals __ and __, __ and __, __ and __.

b) What is the rated current of the stator windings? I =___A

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 Experiment 10 Lab Manual

c) What is the rated voltage of the stator windings? E =___V

d) The rotor winding is connected through the toggle switch to terminals __ and __.

e) What is the rated voltage of the rotor winding? E =___V

f) What is the rated speed of the motor? Speed = ___ r/min

g) What is the mechanical power output of the motor? Pout = ---- W

Starting Characteristics:

4. Using your Synchronous Motor/Generator, Power Supply, AC Ammeter and AC Voltmeter, connect
the circuit shown in Figure 14-1. Note that the three stator windings are wye connected to the fixed 415
V, 3-phase output of the Power Supply, terminals 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 14-1

5. a) Turn on the Power Supply. Note that the motor starts smoothly and continues to run as an ordinary
induction motor.

b) Note the direction of rotation and the current.

Rotation =

I1 = A ac

c) Turn off the Power Supply and interchange any two of the leads from the Power Supply.

d) Turn on the Power Supply and note the direction of rotation and the current.

Rotation =

I1 = A ac

e) Turn off the Power Supply.

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 Experiment 10 Lab Manual

6. Using your Electrodynamometer and Synchronizing Module, connect the circuit shown in Figure 14-2.
Couple the motor to the Electrodynamometer with the Timing Belt.

Figure 14-2
7. a) The Synchronizing Module will be used as on-off switch for the 3-phase power to the stator
windings. Set the switch in its off position.

b) The Electrodynamometer is connected to the fixed 240 V ac output of the Power Supply, terminals 1
and N. Set the Electrodynamometer control knob for approximately 40% excitation.

c) The rotor of the Synchronous Motor/Generator is connected to the fixed 240 V dc output of the
Power Supply, terminals 8 and N. Set the field rheostat for zero resistance (control knob turned fully cw)
and close the switch S (down position).

8. a) Turn on the Power Supply. Then apply 3-phase power by closing the synchronizing switch and
observe what happens. Do not leave the power on for longer than 10 seconds!

b) Describe what happened.

c) What did the AC Ammeter indicate?

d) Should a synchronous motor, under load, be started with dc excitation on its field?

9. a) Connect the rotor of the Synchronous Motor/Generator to the variable 0-240 V dc output of the
Power Supply, terminals 7 and N. Do not disturb any of the other connections or change any control
settings.

b) With the variable output voltage control at zero, turn on the Power Supply. Apply 3-phase power by
closing the synchronizing switch and observe what happens.

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) -4-

 Experiment 10 Lab Manual

c) Describe what happened.

d) Is your motor operating as an induction motor?

e) Carefully adjust the Power Supply output to 240 V dc as indicated on the Power Supply meter.

f) Describe what happened.

g) Is your motor operating as a synchronous motor?

h) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.

10. a) Connect the circuit shown in Figure 14-3. Note that the Synchronous Motor/Generator is wired in
its normal starting configuration (as a three-phase squirrel cage induction motor).

b) Set the Electrodynamometer control knob at its full cw position (to provide a maximum starting
load for the Synchronous Motor/Generator).

c) Turn off the switch S (down position).

Figure 14-3

11. a) Turn on the Power Supply and quickly measure E, E2 , I 1 and the developed starting torque. Turn
off the Power Supply.

E1 = ___Vac

E2 = ____V ac

I1 = ___Aac

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 Experiment 10 Lab Manual

Starting torque = ___ N-m

b) Calculate the apparent power (S) to the motor at starting torque.

S = ------- VA

c) Calculate the full load torque corresponding to 175 W at 1500 r/min.

Full load torque = ----------- N-m

d) Calculate the ratio of starting torque to full load torque.

Ratio =

e) Explain why a large ac voltage E2 was induced in the rotor windings.

12. With your circuit unchanged, turn on the Power Supply and slowly turn the Electrodynamometer
control knob ccw to reduce the loading. The motor will come up to full speed and run as a squirrel cage
induction motor. Note the effect on the induced voltage E2.

Why does E2 decrease as the motor speed increases?

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 Experiment 10 Lab Manual

Result And Findings:

Studetns should fill up the blanks mentioned in the procedure and answer the questions mentioned below.

1. What precautions should be taken during the start-up period of a synchronous motor?

2. If the squirrel cage winding was removed from a synchronous motor, could it start by itself?

3. State two reasons why the rotor winding of a synchronous motor is usually connected to an external
resistance during start-up (even if the rotor is provided with a squirrel cage).

4. Compare the starting characteristics of the Synchronous Motor/Generator with those of the Four-Pole
Squirrel Cage Induction Motor.

Discussion:

Conclusion:

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) -7-