12.

Synchronous Motors
Contents
➢ Construction and operation
➢ Equivalent circuit and phasor diagram
➢ Torque – Speed Characteristics
➢ Effect of load changes
➢ Effect of field current changes
➢ V-Curves
➢ Synchronous condenser (P.F correction)
➢ Starting of synchronous motors
➢ Reluctance motor
 Construction and Operation
➢ Construction

▪ Same construction of synchronous generators.

▪ Three phase supply is applied to the three-phase

stator winding
▪ DC excitation is applied to the rotor (field) winding

▪ The stator and rotor both are excited separately.

Synchronous motor always runs at constant speed known as synchronous speed.

𝑵𝒔 : synchronous speed of the motor

𝟔𝟎 𝑭
𝑵𝒔 = 𝑭: The frequency of three phase supply
𝑷
𝑷: Number of pole pairs of the rotor
 Construction and Operation
➢ Operation

▪ The field current produces the magnetic field 𝑩𝑹

𝑩𝑹 : Rotor magnetic field

▪ As the dc excitation remains constant so that

it produces fixed magnetic field 𝑩𝑹 .

▪ A three-phase set of voltages applied to the stator

(armature) windings produce a rotating magnetic field 𝑩𝒔
𝑩𝑺 : Stator magnetic field

▪ Rotating magnetic field 𝑩𝒔 is

rotating by synchronous speed
 Construction and Operation
➢ Operation

▪ Hence, the rotor get magnetically locked with rotating magnetic field 𝑩𝒔 .
So, the rotor field 𝑩𝑹 will tend to line align with the stator field 𝑩𝒔 .

▪ Since the stator magnetic field is rotating, the rotor magnetic field will try to
catch up pulling the rotor.

▪ Therefore, torque is produced on the 𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲𝑩𝑹 × 𝑩𝒔

rotor having the following formula 𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝜹)

The rotor “chases” the stator’s rotating magnetic field, never quite catching up with it.

The larger the angle between two magnetic fields, the greater the torque on the rotor of the machine
 Model & Phasor Diagram

➢ Equivalent circuit
▪ A synchronous motor is the same a synchronous generator in all aspects except that the direction of
power flow has been reversed

▪ Consequently, the direction of the stator current is

also expected to reverse also expected to reverse.

▪ A change in direction of Ia changes the Kirchhoff’s

voltage law equation:

𝑽𝒑𝒉 = 𝑬𝒂 + 𝑰𝒂 (𝑹𝒂 + 𝑱𝑿𝒔 )

▪ Therefore, the internal generated voltage is:

𝑵𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑹𝒂
𝑬𝒂 = 𝑽𝒑𝒉 − 𝑰𝒂 (𝑹𝒂 + 𝑱𝑿𝒔 ) 𝑬𝒂 = 𝑽𝒑𝒉 − 𝒋𝑰𝒂 𝑿𝒔
 Model & Phasor Diagram

➢ Phasor diagram

1. Leading power factor

𝑬𝒂 = 𝑽𝒑𝒉 − 𝒋𝑰𝒂 𝑿𝒔

▪ The power angle 𝜹 is negative

▪ 𝑬𝒂 > 𝑽𝒑𝒉 The motor is over excited

▪ The motor is delivering reactive power to the grid

▪ The motor acts as a power factor correction device

 Model & Phasor Diagram

➢ Phasor diagram

2. Lagging power factor

𝑬𝒂 = 𝑽𝒑𝒉 − 𝒋𝑰𝒂 𝑿𝒔

▪ The power angle 𝜹 is negative

▪ 𝑬𝒂 < 𝑽𝒑𝒉 The motor is under excited

▪ The motor is absorbing reactive power from the grid

▪ Not economic operation of synchronous motors

 Torque Speed Curve
▪ Usually, synchronous motors are connected to large power systems (infinite bus);

▪ Therefore, their terminal voltage and system frequency are constant

regardless the motor load.

Since the motor speed is locked to the electrical frequency,

the speed should be constant regardless the load.

▪ The steady-state speed of the motor is constant from no-load to

the maximum torque that motor can supply (pullout torque).
 Power and Torque Equations

▪ Since the synchronous motor is the same machine as a

synchronous generator, all the results develop previously for
power, and torque apply here as well.

➢ Power equation
▪ The output mechanical power of synchronous motor:

𝟑𝑬𝒂 𝑽∅
𝑷𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜹
𝑿𝒔

𝟑𝑬𝒂 𝑽∅
𝑷𝒎𝒂𝒙 =
𝑿𝒔
 Power and Torque Equations
➢ Torque equation
𝑷
𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 =
𝝎𝒔

𝟑𝑬𝒂 𝑽∅
▪ The induced torque is : 𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜹
𝝎𝒔 𝑿 𝒔

▪ The pull-out torque 𝒂𝒕 𝜹 = 𝟗𝟎° :

𝟑𝑬𝒂 𝑽∅
𝝉𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒕 =
𝝎𝒔 𝑿 𝒔

▪ Normal full-load torques are much less than pull-out torque

 Synchronous Reluctance Motor
▪ Reluctance motor is a three-phase synchronous motor with salient pole rotors
▪ The rotor of reluctance motor has no windings for excitation.

➢ Construction
• Stator: Made up of laminated steel and has armature
windings connected to the three-phase AC supply.

• Rotor: Usually consists of salient poles with high and low

reluctance paths. It does not have any windings.

• Three-phase supply: Connected to the stator windings,

generating a rotating magnetic field.

The rotor experiences torque as it tries to align with

the magnetic field’s lowest reluctance path.
 Synchronous Reluctance Motor

➢ Power equation

▪ The developed mechanical power of salient pole synchronous motor is:

𝟑𝑬𝑽 𝟑𝑽𝟐 𝟏 𝟏
𝑷𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜹 + ( − )𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝜹
𝑿𝒅 𝟐 𝑿𝒒 𝑿𝒅

Excitation power Saliency power

▪ For reluctance motor

𝟑𝑽𝟐 𝟏 𝟏
𝑬=𝟎 𝑷𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝑷𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 = ( − )𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝜹
𝟐 𝑿𝒒 𝑿𝒅
 Synchronous Reluctance Motor

➢ Power equation
▪ For reluctance motor
𝟑𝑽𝟐 𝟏 𝟏
𝑬=𝟎 𝑷𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝑷𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 = ( − )𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝜹
𝟐 𝑿𝒒 𝑿𝒅

▪ The reluctance motor is still capable of supplying mechanical loads

▪ Under certain condition: 𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅 < 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄

𝑬=𝟎
Example 1
𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔:
Example 1
𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔:
Example 1
𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔:
Example 1
𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔:
 Effect of load changes

▪ When a load is connected to the shaft of a synchronous motor, the motor will develop enough torque
to keep the motor and its load turning at synchronous speed.

➢ What happens when the load is changed?

▪ Assuming that a synchronous motor operates initially

with a leading PF.

▪ The terminal voltage and frequency supplied to the

motor are constant,
▪ The magnitude of internal generated voltage must be constant
at the load changes (𝑬𝒂 = 𝑲𝒂 𝝋𝝎 and field current is constant)

𝑬𝒂 & 𝑽∅ & 𝒏 = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕

 Effect of load changes

➢ For increase in mechanical load

▪ If the load on the motor increases, the rotor initially slows down
increasing the torque angle 𝜹
𝟑𝑬𝒂 𝑽∅
𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜹
𝝎𝒔 𝑿𝒔

▪ Assuming that the armature resistance is negligible,

the power converted from electrical to mechanical
form in the motor will be the same as its input power
 Effect of load changes

➢ For increase in mechanical load

▪ Since the phase voltage 𝑽∅ is held constant by the

motor’s power supply, the quantities 𝑬𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜹 and
𝑰𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝝋) must be directly proportional to the
power supplied by the motor.

▪ When the power supplied by the motor increases,

then 𝑬𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜹 and 𝑰𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝝋) increases in a way
that 𝑬𝒂 keeps constant

▪ Also, the PF angle changes too moving from leading to lagging.

 Example 2
𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔:
A 208 V, 45 kVA, 0.8 PF leading, Δ connected, 60 Hz synchronous machine has XS=2.5 Ω
and a negligible RA. Its friction and core losses are neglected. Initially the shaft is supplying
a 15 hp load, and motor’s power factor is 0.8 leading

(a)
 Example 2
𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔:
A 208 V, 45 kVA, 0.8 PF leading, Δ connected, 60 Hz synchronous machine has XS=2.5 Ω
and a negligible RA. Its friction and core losses are neglected. Initially the shaft is supplying
a 15 hp load, and motor’s power factor is 0.8 leading

(a)
 Example 2
𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔:
A 208 V, 45 kVA, 0.8 PF leading, Δ connected, 60 Hz synchronous machine has XS=2.5 Ω
and a negligible RA. Its friction and core losses are neglected. Initially the shaft is supplying
a 15 hp load, and motor’s power factor is 0.8 leading

(b &c)
 Example 2
𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔:
A 208 V, 45 kVA, 0.8 PF leading, Δ connected, 60 Hz synchronous machine has XS=2.5 Ω
and a negligible RA. Its friction and core losses are neglected. Initially the shaft is supplying
a 15 hp load, and motor’s power factor is 0.8 leading

(b &c)
 Example 2
𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔:
A 208 V, 45 kVA, 0.8 PF leading, Δ connected, 60 Hz synchronous machine has XS=2.5 Ω
and a negligible RA. Its friction and core losses are neglected. Initially the shaft is supplying
a 15 hp load, and motor’s power factor is 0.8 leading

(b &c)
 Effect of Field Current changes

▪ Assuming that a synchronous motor operates initially

with a lagging PF.

▪ The terminal voltage and frequency supplied to the motor

are constant,
𝑽∅ & 𝒏 = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕

▪ The mechanical load doesn’t change, so the power supplied

by the motor is constant

𝑬𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜹 and 𝑰𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝋 = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕

 Effect of Field Current changes

➢ For increase in field current

▪ If the field current on the motor increases, the magnitude
of the internal generated voltage 𝑬𝒂 increases.

▪ Notice that as 𝑬𝒂 increases, the magnitude

of the armature current 𝑰𝒂 first decreases
and then increases again.

𝑰𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝋 = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕

▪ For smaller 𝑬𝒂 , 𝑰𝒂 is lagging, and the motor

is an inductive load. It consumes reactive
power Q
 Effect of Field Current changes

➢ For increase in field current

▪ As the field current increases, the armature current 𝑰𝒂 and
terminal voltage 𝑽∅ line up and the motor looks resistive

▪ As the fields current increases further, the

armature current 𝑰𝒂 becomes leading and
the motor look capacitive

▪ The motor is supplying reactive power Q

to the system
 V-Curves

▪ A plot of armature current vs. field current is called a synchronous motor V curve.

▪ V curves of synchronous motor are drawn for different levels of real power

➢ V curves have their minimum at unity PF, when only real

power is supplied to the motor

• 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓

𝑰𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝋 = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕

𝑨𝒕 𝑷. 𝑭 = 𝟏 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝋 = 𝟏 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝋 = 𝒎𝒂𝒙

∴ 𝑰𝒂 = 𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒕 𝒑. 𝒇 = 𝟏
 V-Curves

➢ For field currents less than the one giving the minimum IA, the
armature current is lagging, and the motor consumes reactive power

➢ For field currents greater than the one giving the minimum IA,
the armature current is leading and the motor supplies reactive
power to the system.
 V-Curves

Therefore, by controlling the field current of a synchronous motor, the reactive power
(supplied or consumed) by the power system can be controlled.
 Synchronous Condenser

▪ A synchronous condenser is defined as a synchronous motor running without a mechanical load,

used to improve the power factor of power systems.

▪ Like a capacitor bank, we can use an overexcited synchronous

motor to improve a power system’s poor power factor

▪ The main advantage is that the power factor improvement is

smooth by smoothly controlling the excitation current of
synchronous motor
 Synchronous Condenser

➢ Advantages and applications

▪ it allows smooth, continuous control of the power factor. In

contrast, a static capacitor bank can only improve the power
factor in steps, not allowing fine adjustments.

▪ The short circuit withstand-limit of the armature winding of a

synchronous motor is high

▪ Synchronous condensers are economical for large power

networks but less so for systems below 500 kVAR, where
capacitor banks are preferred.
 Example 3
A 100-hp, 440 V, 0.8 PF leading, Δ-connected synchronous motor has an armature resistance of 0.22 Ω and
synchronous reactance of 3.0 Ω. Its efficiency at full load is 89%.
(a) What is the input power to the motor at rated conditions?
(b) What is the line current of the motor at rated conditions? What is the phase current of the motor at rated conditions?
(c) What is the reactive power consumed by or supplied by the motor at rated conditions?
(d) What is the internal generated voltage, EA of this motor at rated conditions?
(e) What are the stator copper losses in the motor at rated conditions?
(f) What is Pconv at rated conditions?
(g) If EA is decreased by 10 percent, how much reactive power will be consumed by or supplied by the motor?
 Example 3
A 100-hp, 440 V, 0.8 PF leading, Δ-connected synchronous motor has an armature resistance of 0.22 Ω and
synchronous reactance of 3.0 Ω. Its efficiency at full load is 89%.
(a) What is the input power to the motor at rated conditions?

(b) What is the line current of the motor at rated conditions? What is the phase current of the motor at rated conditions?
 Example 3
A 100-hp, 440 V, 0.8 PF leading, Δ-connected synchronous motor has an armature resistance of 0.22 Ω and
synchronous reactance of 3.0 Ω. Its efficiency at full load is 89%.

(c) What is the reactive power consumed by or supplied by the motor at rated conditions?

(d) What is the internal generated voltage, EA of this motor at rated conditions?
 Example 3
A 100-hp, 440 V, 0.8 PF leading, Δ-connected synchronous motor has an armature resistance of 0.22 Ω and
synchronous reactance of 3.0 Ω. Its efficiency at full load is 89%.
(e) What are the stator copper losses in the motor at rated conditions?

(f) What is Pconv at rated conditions?

 Example 3
A 100-hp, 440 V, 0.8 PF leading, Δ-connected synchronous motor has an armature resistance of 0.22 Ω and
synchronous reactance of 3.0 Ω. Its efficiency at full load is 89%.
(g) If EA is decreased by 10 percent, how much reactive power will be consumed by or supplied by the motor?
 Why are synchronous motors not self starting ?!

➢ Consider a 60Hz – 2 poles synchronous motor

➢ At the moment of motor starting:

1. Rotor is initially stationary

2. Apply power to stator windings

3. The rotor is still stationary at first

4. Thus, the rotor field 𝑩𝑹 is stationary

5. The stator magnetic field 𝑩𝑺 starts sweeping around the motor at synchronous speed.
 Why are synchronous motors not self starting ?!

1. At time = 0 seconds

▪ Both magnetic fields are aligned.

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲 𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝜹)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲 𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝟎)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝟎

▪ The induced torque on the rotor is Zero

 Why are synchronous motors not self starting ?!

𝟏 𝟏
2. At time = 1/240 seconds ( ∗ 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔)
𝟒 𝟔𝟎

𝟏
▪ The stator field 𝑩𝑺 completes cycle
𝟒

▪ The rotor has barely moved (inertia)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲 𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝜹)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲 𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝟗𝟎)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = +𝒗𝒆 counter-clockwise.

▪ Therefore, the torque on the rotor is non-zero and counter-clockwise.

 Why are synchronous motors not self starting ?!

𝟏 𝟏
3. At time = 1/120 seconds ( ∗ 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔)
𝟐 𝟔𝟎

𝟏
▪ The stator field 𝑩𝑺 completes cycle
𝟐

▪ The rotor and stator magnetic fields point in opposite directions

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲 𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝜹)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲 𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝟏𝟖𝟎)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝟎

▪ Therefore, the induced torque on the rotor is zero again..

 Why are synchronous motors not self starting ?!

𝟑 𝟏
4. At time = 3/240 seconds ( ∗ 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔)
𝟒 𝟔𝟎

𝟑
▪ The stator field 𝑩𝑺 completes cycle
𝟒

▪ The rotor has barely moved (inertia)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲 𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝜹)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲 𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝟐𝟕𝟎)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = −𝒗𝒆 Clockwise.

▪ Therefore, the torque on the rotor is non-zero but Clockwise.

 Why are synchronous motors not self starting ?!

𝟒 𝟏
5. At time = 1/60 seconds ( ∗ 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔)
𝟒 𝟔𝟎

▪ The stator field 𝑩𝑺 completes one complete cycle

▪ The two fields are aligned again

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲 𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝜹)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝑲 𝑩𝑹 . 𝑩𝒔 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝟑𝟔𝟎)

𝝉𝒊𝒏𝒅 = 𝟎

▪ Therefore, the induced torque on the rotor is zero again..

 Why are synchronous motors not self starting ?!

▪ During one electrical cycle, the torque was counter-clockwise and then clockwise

▪ Therefore, the average torque is zero.

In other words, the rotor wants to move in both directions in

one complete cycle, but it is unable to overcome its inertia
and vibrates its position.

▪ So, we can say synchronous motor is not self-starting.

 Why are synchronous motors not self starting ?!

➢ What is the solution to start the motor

❖ Starting methods of synchronous motors

1. Use Variable frequency supply

2. Use an external prime mover to accelerate the rotor

up to synchronous speed, then disconnect the prime mover

3. Start the machine as induction motor (Use Damper) windings

Starting Methods of Synchronous Motors
Starting Methods of Synchronous Motors
Starting Methods of Synchronous Motors