UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND INFORMATION

ENGINEERING

FEE 441: ELECTRICAL MACHINES IIA

MITUMI ELSA TERRY

F17/1745/2019

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 APPLICATION OF AN INDUCTION MOTOR
The induction motor is the most widely used form of AC motor utilized in a wide range of
applications in business, production, and daily life. As technology develops, so does the
induction motor, offering increased efficiency and reliability for a variety of applications. In this
essay, I will explore the three phase induction motor and its use in an industrial air compressor.

An industrial air compressor is a machine that compresses air for use in industrial applications. It
typically consists of a motor, an air pump, an air tank, and various control and safety
components. It is typically larger and more powerful than a typical household air compressor,
and is used to power a variety of pneumatic tools and equipment.

A piston-cylinder configuration is used in a reciprocating air compressor, and as the piston

moves inside the cylinder, pressure rises. Hence, it is used to compress and transfer air from a
low pressure to a high pressure.

The TS10 reciprocating air compressor’s essential features include a lengthy working life, an
ergonomic appearance, and a solid construction. The TS stands for Two Stage, here the air is
compressed twice for double the pressure, while 10 stands for the 10hp. It is driven by a 10 hp
motor. It has an air receiver with a capacity of 220 liters, and a compressor with an operating
speed of 750 rpm. This compressor features three cylinders, each of a different diameter. The
deep finned cylinders increase heat dissipation. The air is cooled as it flows through a heat
exchanger in between each compression cycle. The amount of effort required to further compress
the air is decreased by cooling it.

In an air compressor, the induction motor drives the air pump, which sucks in air from the
surrounding environment and compresses it to a higher pressure. The compressed air is then
stored in a tank and can be used for various applications such as powering pneumatic tools, and
operating air-driven equipment.

Induction motors are well-suited for use in air compressors because they can operate at high
speeds and handle large loads without requiring frequent maintenance. They also have a simple
and robust construction, making them resistant to wear and tear.

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The motor used is a Three phase squirrel cage induction motor.

This motor is composed of multiple windings on a stator and a single squirrel cage rotor that
turns due to induced current in the rotor. The squirrel cage rotor is a type of rotor that consists of
a cylindrical core of magnetically conductive material, in this case aluminum, with shorting rings
at both ends. The stator and rotor cores are made of low loss, high quality magnetic steel. It is
called a squirrel cage because it resembles a hamster wheel. The stator windings consist of
modified polyester enameled copper wire.

Working: This is accomplished using electromagnetic induction, where a stator produces a

rotating magnetic field and a rotor consisting of windings in short-circuited loops of wire form
an induction loop. As the magnetic field lines interact with this induction loop, an electromotive
force is generated that acts like an electromagnet, inducing a torque within the rotor. This power,
coupled with the mechanical force of the magnetic field, ultimately causes the rotor to rotate. As
the rotor revolves, this converts electrical energy into mechanical, which produces force and
facilitates mechanical tasks.

The efficiency of a squirrel cage induction motor is higher as compared to a slip ring induction
motor since the conductor material used is less.

Ratings of the Induction Motor

Electronically Commutated- EC with a frame size of 132

Insulation-class B whose temperature rating is 130 degrees

Rated frequency- 50Hz

Rated voltage-415V

Rated current-15A

Rated speed- 1430 rpm

Three Phase Delta Connection

Power -7.5kW

MTG- Motor Mounting B3 shaft if horizontally placed, feet on floor, foot mount

Duty type S1- continuous running duty

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Speed Control

In order to ensure that the air compressor is able to deliver the necessary pressure and flow rate,
it is important to control its speed. Speed control is typically achieved through the compressor’s
motor winding, which creates a changing voltage output, and a speed plate, which adjusts the
speed of the compressor’s flywheel by changing the pitch of its blades. As the speed plate
increases or decreases the voltage output, the flywheel compensates by adjusting its speed. The
following methods can be implemented:

Throttling the air intake. By adjusting the flow of air, the speed of the compressor can be varied.
By restricting the flow of air into the compressor, the speed of the compressor can be reduced.
This can be done using a valve or by adjusting the size of the intake opening.

Use of a frequency drive to control the frequency of the electrical signal to the motor. It operates
by varying the frequency of the power supply, which in turn adjusts the motor speed. By
changing the frequency of the power to the motor, motor speed can be adjusted over a wide
range without the need for costly mechanical parts.

Use of a variable speed drive by varying the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the
motor. Variable speed drives allow for varying speed and torque control, reducing power losses
and increasing the efficiency of the system.

Power Factor Correction

By correcting the input voltage and avoiding reduction in motor speed, the compressor can
realize desired power outputs, reducing reactive power loads, which will improve compressor
performance. The following methods can be implemented:

By adding power factor correction capacitors in the control circuit of the compressor. The
capacitors must be placed in parallel with the load circuit and must be matched with the capacity
of the motor. The result will be an improvement in the power factor, which will result in
increased efficiency and lower power losses in the system.

Use of harmonic filters. These are electrical devices that reduce the reactive power, which is
caused by harmonic currents, and transforming it into active power. By removing the harmonic
components of the current, the effective power factor of the power system is increased.

Mechanical Coupling
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Mechanical couplings are used in air compressors to link the electric motor to the crankshaft on
which the compressor pistons are attached.

One common method of coupling is belt coupling which utilizes a belt to synchronize the speed
of the driving shaft to the driven shaft.

Another method is direct coupling. It eliminates the need for an additional drive transmission,
thereby reducing cost and complexity of the overall system. Additionally, direct coupling
increases system efficiency, as there is no loss of power through the transmission and allows for
much higher system speeds

Protection

Presence of a belt guard: protects the operator from coming into contact with the moving parts of
the belt and pulley system.

Use of air filters that are responsible for trapping dirt, dust, and other solid particles that enter the
system. This helps to ensure that the compressor is running efficiently and will prolong the life
of its components.

Presence of a pressure switch. It is often used to provide the user with the option of turning the
compressor on or off automatically when the set pressure points are reached.

Presence of a moisture separator in an air compressor is an essential component to ensure that the
air that is compressed is free of water vapor. This prevents any production problems, such as
corrosion and rust, often associated with moisture.

Use of a pressure gauge which measures the amount of potential energy stored in a compressed
air system. This is a device that measures the pressure in the tank and allows the operator to
monitor the pressure level. The accurate measurement of pressure is essential in order to properly
use and store air, as pressure that is too low or too high can cause air compressor overloads and
damage.

Safety

Presence of an unloader valve to release the pressure built up in the compressor tank before
shutting it down. This will help prevent the tension in the compressor develop before the unit is
turned off, which is important both for its safety and the safety of its surroundings.

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Use of a safety valve. This is a device that is installed in an air compressor to regulate the
pressure within the machine and prevent it from becoming too high. They ensure that the system
does not overpressure, thus reducing the risk of explosions, equipment damage, and other
hazardous conditions.

Presence of an emergency shutdown. This is a device that can be used to shut off the compressor
in the event of an emergency.

Advantages of three phase induction motor

The use of a three phase induction motor provides numerous advantages over other alternatives,
since they are capable of heavily loaded operation for long periods of time without needing
frequent maintenance, and have the ability to easily operate in remote locations with minimal
supervision, including a greater power output, superior laminations, and improved efficiency.
Consequently, the usage of the three phase induction motor makes it an ideal choice for
applications where maximum output power, higher efficiency, and low operating costs are
desired.

As it has been demonstrated, the induction motor is an excellent choice for driving any piece of
industrial equipment with the ability to be started and operated at low costs. It is able to operate
continuously for long periods of time without overheating and can start under heavy loads,
making it well-suited for the demands of an air compressor.

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Air Compressor Reciprocating TS10

Induction Motor

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