Double Revolving Field Theory
Double Revolving Field Theory
“According to this theory, any alternating quantity can be resolved into two rotating components
which rotate in opposite directions and each having magnitude as half of the maximum magnitude of
the alternating quantity at synchronous speed.”
In case of single phase induction motors, the stator winding produces an alternating magnetic field
having maximum magnitude of Φm. So alternating flux produced can also be represented by two
components of the stator flux, each having magnitude half of maximum magnitude of stator flux i.e.
(Φm/2). Both these components are rotating in opposite directions at the synchronous speed N s which
is dependent on frequency and stator poles.
Let the direction of rotation of rotor be clock-wise. Let the field which is in the same direction as
that of rotor be forward flux (Φf ) and other component be backward flux (Φb).
The Fig. 1 shows the stator flux and its two components Φf and Φb.
At start both the components are shown opposite to each other in the Fig.1(a). Thus the resultant
ΦR = 0. This is nothing but the instantaneous value of the stator flux at start.
After 90o , as shown in the Fig. 1(b), the two components are rotated in such a way that both are
pointing in the same direction. Hence the resultant Φ R is the algebraic sum of the magnitudes of the
two components. So ΦR = (Φ1m/2) + (Φ1m/2) =Φ1m. This is nothing but the instantaneous value of the
stator flux at θ = 90o as shown in the Fig 1(c). Thus continuous rotation of the two components gives
the original alternating stator flux.
Therefore and
Net Torque =
Thus net torque experienced by the rotor is zero at start. And hence the single phase induction
motors are not self starting.
The two oppositely directed torques and the resultant torque can be shown effectively with the help
of torque-speed characteristics. It is shown in the Fig.2.
It can be seen that at start N = 0 and at that point resultant torque is zero. So single phase motors are
not self starting.
However if the rotor is given an initial rotation in any direction, the resultant average torque increase
in the direction in which rotor initially rotated. And motor starts rotating in that direction. But in
practice it is not possible to give initial torque to rotor externally hence some modifications are done
in the construction of single phase induction motors to make them self starting.