Speed Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor

Speed Control of Three-Phase induction Motor [1/Ch.

35]
Speed Classification
The speed of electrical motor can be classified as follows:
Constant Speed: A constant speed motor is one having constant or practically constant speed over
its operation range, such as a dc shunt moor or a low resistance squirrel cage induction
motor.
Varying Speed: A varying speed motor has a speed which varies with its torque, such as the series
motor or high resistance induction motor.
Adjustable Speed: An adjustable speed motor has a speed which can be adjusted to any value withi
its speed range, but for each adjustment the speed is essentially constant with varying load; an
example is the dc shunt motor with field control.
Adjustable Varying Speed: An adjustable varying speed motor has a speed which can be adjusted
to any value within its speed range, but for each adjustment the speed varies with change of
load such as the dc series motor with a field by-pass resistance.
Multispeed: A multispeed motor is one that can be operaed oe of two or more definite speeds, such
as a pole changing induction motor.

Speed Control of Induction Motors [1/35.18/p.1349]

A three-phase induction motor is practically a constant-speed machine, more or less like a
DC shunt motor.
The speed regulation of an induction motor (having low resistance) is usually less than 5% at
full-load. However, there is one difference of practical importance between the two. Whereas DC
shunt motor can be made to run at any speed within wide limits, with good efficiency and speed
regulation, merely by manipulating a simple field rheostat, the same is not possible with induction
motors. In their case, speed reduction is accomplished by a corresponding loss of efficiency and
good speed regulation. That is why it is much easier to build a good adjustable-speed DC shunt
motor than an adjustable speed induction motor.
Different methods by which speed control of induction motors is achieved, may be grouped
under two headings:
1. Control from Stator Side
(a) by changing the applied voltage,
(b) by changing the applied frequency
(c) by changing the number of stator poles
2. Control from Rotor Side
(d) Rotor rheostat control
(e) By operating two motors in concatenation or cascade
(f) By injecting of an emf in the rotor circuit

Changing Applied Voltage [p.1350]

ksE2 R2
We know that T 
R22  (sX 2 ) 2
As E 2    V where V is the supply voltage.
T sV 2
Obviously, torque at any speed is proportional to the square of the applied voltage. If stator
voltage decreases by 10%, the torque decreases by 20%. Changes in supply voltage not only affect
the starting torque Tst but torque under running conditions also.

Page 1 of 10
 Speed Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor

If V decreases, then T also decreases. Hence, for maintaining the same torque, slip
[ %slip s  ( N S  N )  100 / N S ] increases i.e. speed falls.
Similarly, if V increases, then T also increases. Hence, for maintaining the same torque, slip
[ %slip s  ( N S  N )  100 / N S ] decreases i.e. speed rises.
This method, though the cheapest and easiest, is rarely used because
(i) a large change in voltage is required for a relatively small change in speed
(ii) this large change in voltage will result in a large change in the flux density thereby
seriously disturbing the magnetic conditions of the motor.

Changing the Applied Frequency [p.1350]

We have seen that the synchronous speed and the speed of an induction motor is given by
120 f 120 f
Ns  and N (1  s)
P P
The speed of an induction motor is directly proportional to supply frequency. By gradually
changing supply frequency, speed can be increased or decreased smoothly. There are several
drawbacks in this system.
Electricity supply authorities supply power at a fixed frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Provision
for supply at variable frequency can be made by consumers by having separate arrangements.
Frequency conversion equipments are, therefore, to be installed by the industries at additional costs.
Variable frequency can be obtained from solid-state equipments or rotary converters i.e. motor-
generator sets.
If speed control is to be achieved by changing frequency, the supply voltage should also
simultaneously be changed. This is because if the supply frequency is reduced keeping the applied
voltage constant, the flux is increased (E=4.44fT). If flux is increased, core losses will reduce the
efficiency. On the other hand, if the frequency is increased, flux will decrease, thereby reducing the
torque developed.
It is important, therefore, that the frequency changing device should change frequency and
voltage simultaneously as a direct ratio. That is, if frequency is increased, the supply voltage must
also increase and if frequency decreased the supply voltage must also decrease proportionately.
This method, so far, had limited applications because of cost involved in arranging variable
frequency power supply. With recent developments in semiconductor devices, frequency control
method of speed variation of induction motors is become popular.

Changing the Number of Stator Poles [p.1350]

This method is easily applicable to squirrel-cage induction motor adopts itself to any
reasonable number of stator poles.
The poles on the stator of an induction motor are created by the arrangement of the
conductors as shown in Fig. 18.8 and Fig. 18.9. There are no physical poles projecting from the
stator, as might be seen on the DC machine. Therefore, a given stator with a standard number of slots
might be wound for two, four, six, or eight poles, merely by interchanging the connections to the
coils. Furthermore, by means of a switching arrangement, different speeds may be obtained, even
after inserting the coils in the stator slots.

Page 2 of 10
 Speed Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor

Fig. 18.8 Four-Pole conventional winding, series arrangement

Fig. 18.9 Consequent-pole method for eight-pole winding, series parallel arrangement.

From the above equation it is also clear that the synchronous speed (and hence the running
speed) of an induction motor could also be changed by changing the number of stator poles. This
changing of numbers of poles is achieved by having two or more entirely independent stator
windings in the same slots. Each winding gives a different number of poles and hence different
synchronous speed (and hence the running speed).
For example, a 36 slots stator may have two three-phase windings, one with 4 poles and the
other with 6-poles. With a supply frequency of 50 Hz, 4-pole winding will give Ns= 12050/4=1500
rpm and the 6-pole winding will give Ns= 12050/6=1000 rpm. Motors with four independent stator
winding are also in use and they give four different synchronous (and hence running) speeds. Of
course, one winding is used at a time, the others being entirely disconnected.
This method has been used for elevator motors, traction motors and also for small motors
driving machine tools.
Speeds in the ratio of 2:1 can be produced by a single winding if wound on the consequent-
pole principle as shown in Fig. 18.9. In that case, each of the two windings can be connected by a
simple switch to give two speeds, each, which means four speeds in all.
For example, one stator winding may give 4 or 8 poles and the other 6 or 12 poles. For a
supply frequency of 50 Hz, the four speeds will be 1500, 750, 1000, and 500 rpm. Another
combination, commonly used, is to group 2- and 4-pole winding with 6- and 12 pole winding, which
gives four synchronous speeds of 3000, 1500, 1000, and 500 rpm.
The rotor of motor whose speed is controlled by means of pole changing is nearly always of
squirrel-cage construction, since this type of rotor adjusts itself to any number of stator poles.
A wound rotor must be wound for the same number of poles as the stator, and therefore pole
changing would require additional slip rings to change the rotor winding. Thus, although wound
rotor speed control combined with pole changing would make it possible to obtain continuous speed
control over a very wide range, it is rarely used.

Rotor Rheostat Control [p.1350]

Page 3 of 10
 Speed Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor

In this method (Fig. 35.36), which is applicable to slip-ring motors alone, the motor speed is
reduced by introducing external resistance in the rotor circuit. For this purpose, the rotor starter may
be used, provided it is continuously rated. This method is, in fact, similar to the armature rheostat
control method of armature.

Fig. 35.36

It has been known that near synchronous speed (i.e. for very small slip value), Ts/R2.
It is obvious that for a given torque, slip can be increased i.e. speed can be decreased by
increasing the rotor resistance R2.
One serious disadvantage of this method is that with increase in rotor resistance, I2R losses
also increase which decrease the operating efficiency of the motor. In fact, the loss is directly
proportional to the reduction in the speed.
The second disadvantage is the double dependence of speed, not only on R2 but on load as
well.
Because of the wastefulness of this method, it is used where speed changes are needed for
short period only.

Cascade or Concatenation or Tandem Operation [p.1352]

In this method, two motors are used (Fig. 35.37) and are ordinarily mounted on the same
shaft, so that both run at the same speed (or else they may be geared together).
The stator winding of the main motor A is connected to the mains in the usual way, while that
of the auxiliary motor B is fed from the rotor circuit of motor A. For satisfactory operation, the main
motor A should be phase-wound i.e. of slip-ring type with stator to rotor winding ratio 1:1, so that, in
addition to concatenation, each motor may be run from the supply mains separately.

Fig. 35.37

Page 4 of 10
 Speed Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor

There are at least three ways (and sometimes four ways) in which the combination may be
run.
1. Main motor A may be run separately from the supply from the supply. In that case, the
synchronous speed is Nsa=120f/Pa where Pa= number of stator poles of motor A.
2. Auxiliary motor B may be run separately from the mains with motor A being disconnected).
In that case, synchronous speed is Nsb=120f/Pb where Pb= number of stator poles of motor B.
3. The combination may be connected in cumulative cascade i.e. in such a way that the phase
rotation of the stator fields of both machines is in the same direction. The synchronous speed
of the cascade set, in this case is Nsc=120f/(Pa+Pb).

Proof:
Let N= actual speed of concatenation set;
Nsa = synchronous speed of motor A, it being independent of N.
Clearly, the relative speed of rotor A w.r.t. its stator field is (Nsa-N). Hence, the frequency f’
of the induced emf in rotor A is given by
N N
f '  sa f
N sa
This is also the frequency of the emf applied to the stator of motor B. Hence, the synchronous
speed of motor B with this input frequency is
120 f ' 120( N sa  N ) f
N'  (i)
Pb Pb  N sa
This will induce an emf of frequency, say, f’’ in the rotor of B. Its value is found from the fact
that the stator and rotor frequencies are proportional to the speeds of stator field and the rotor
N ' N
f '' f
N'
Now, on no-load, the speed of rotor B is almost equal to its synchronous speed, so that the
frequency of induced emf is, to a first approximation, zero.
N ' N
f ''  f 0
N'
N' N (ii )
120( N sa  N ) f 120 f  N 
From (i) above N '   1  
Pb  N sa Pb  N sa 

Hence, from (ii) above

120 f  N 
1   N
Pb  N sa 
120 f 120 f N
Or  N
Pb Pb N sa
120 f 120 f N  120 f 1 
Or N  N 1  
Pb Pb N sa  P b N sa 

120 f 120 f  120 f Pa   P  P  Pb

Putting N sa  we get  N 1    N 1  a   N a
Pa Pb  Pb 120 f   Pb  Pb
120 f
N ( Pa  Pb )  120 f N 
Pa  Pb
Concatenation speed of the set= 120 f /( Pa  Pb )

How the Set Starts? [p.1353]

Page 5 of 10
 Speed Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor

When the cascade set is started, the voltage at frequency f is applied to the stator winding of
machine A. An induced emf of the same frequency is produced in rotor of A which is supplied to the
auxiliary motor B. Both the motor develop a forward torque. As the shaft speed rises, the rotor
frequency of motor A falls and so does the synchronous speed of motor B. The set settle down to a
stable speed when the shaft speed becomes equal to the speed of rotating field of motor B.
Considering load conditions, we find that electrical power taken in by stator A is partly used
to meet its I2R and core losses and the rest is given to its rotor. The power given to rotor is further
divided into two parts: one part, proportional to the speed of set i.e. N is converted into mechanical
power and the other proportional to (Nsa-N) is developed as electrical power at the slip frequency,
and is passed on to the auxiliary motor B, which uses it for producing mechanical power and losses.
Hence, approximately, the mechanical outputs of the two motors are in the ratio N: (Nsa-N). In fact, it
comes to that the mechanical outputs are in the ratio of the number of poles of the motors.
It may be of interest to the reader to know that it can be provided that
(i) s  f ' / f  ( N sc  N ) / N sc where s= slip of the set referred to its synchronous speed Nsc.
(ii) s=sasb
where sa and sb are slips of two motors, referred to their respective stators i.e.
N N N ' N
s a  sa and sb 
N sa N'
Conclusion
We may briefly note the main conclusion drawn from the above discussion:
(a) The mechanical output of the two motors are in the ratio of their number of poles.
(b) s  f ' / f
(c) s=sasb.

4. The fourth possible connection is the difference cascade. In this method, the phase rotation of
stator field of the motor B is opposite to that the stator of motor A. This reversal of phase
rotation of stator of motor B is obtained by interchanging any of its two leads. It can be
proved in the same ways as above that for this method of connection, the synchronous speed
of the set is Nsc=120f/(Pa-Pb).
As the differentially-cascaded set has a very small or zero starting torque, this method is
rarely used. Moreover, the above expression for synchronous speed becomes meaningless for
Pa=Pb.

Example 35.31. Two 50Hz, three-phase induction motors having six and four poles respectively are
cumulatively cascaded, the 6-pole motor being connected to the main supply. Determine the
frequency of the rotor currents and the slips referred to each stator field if the set has a slip of
2%.
Solution:
120 f 120  50
Synchronous speed of set, N sc    600 rpm
Pa  Pb 46
Actual rotor speed, N  (1  s) N sc  (1  0.02)  600  588 rpm
120 f 120  50
Synchronous speed of the stator field of 6-pole motor, N sa    1000 rpm
Pa 6
N  N 1000  588
Slip referred to this stator field is, s a  sa   0.412 or 41.2%
N sa 1000
Frequency of the rotor currents of 6-pole motor, f '  sa f  0.412  50  20.6 Hz
This is also the frequency of stator currents of the four-pole motor. The synchronous speed of
120 f 120  20.6
the stator of 4-pole motor is, N '    618 rpm
Pa 4

Page 6 of 10
 Speed Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor

N ' N 618  588

This slip, as referred to the 4-pole motor is, sb    0.0485 or 4.85%
N' 618
The frequency of the rotor current of 4-pole motor is,
f ' '  sb f '  0.0485  20.6  1.0 Hz (approx.)
As a check, f ' '  sf  0.02  50  1.0 Hz (approx.)

Example 35.32.A 4-pole induction motor and a 6-pole induction motor are connected in cumulative
cascaded. The frequency in the secondary circuit of the 6-pole motor is observed to be 1.0
Hz. Determine the slip in each machine and the combined speed of the set. Take supply
frequency as 50 Hz.
120 f 120  50
Solution: We know that N sc    600 rpm
Pa  Pb 46
f '' 1
s   0.02
f 50
N=actual speed of the concatenation set
N N 600  N
s  sc or 0.02  or N  600  0.02  600  588 rpm
N sc 600
120 f 120  50
N sa    1500 rpm
Pa 4
N  N 1500  588
s a  sa   0.608 or 60.8%
N sa 1500
f '  sa f  0.608  50  30.4 Hz
N’= synchronous speed of 6-pole motor with frequency f’.
120 f ' 120  30.4
N'   608 rpm
Pb 6
N ' N 608  588
sb    0.033 or 3.3%
N' 608

Injecting an EMF in the Rotor Circuit [p.1352]

In this method, the speed of an induction motor is controlled by injecting a voltage in the
rotor circuit, it being of course, necessary for the injected voltage to have the same frequency as the
slip frequency. There is, however, no restriction as to the phase of the injected emf.
When we insert a voltage which is in phase opposition to the induced rotor emf, it amounts to
increasing the rotor resistance, whereas inserting a voltage which is in phase with the induced rotor
emf, is equivalent to decreasing its resistance. Hence, by changing the phase of the injected emf and
hence the rotor resistance, the speed can be controlled.
One such practical method of this type of speed control is Kramer system, as shown in Fig.
35.39, which is used in the case of large motors of 4000 kW or above. It consists of rotary converter
C which converts the low-slip frequency AC power into DC power, which is used to derive a DC
shunt motor D, mechanically coupled to the main motor M.

Page 7 of 10
 Speed Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor

Fig. 35.39
The main motor is coupled to the shaft of the DC shunt motor D. The slip-rings of M are
connected to those of the rotary converter C. The DC output of C is used to derive D. Both C and D
are excited from the DC bus-bars or from an exciter. There is a field regular which governs the back
emf Eb of D and hence the DC potential at the commutator of C which further controls the slip-ring
voltage and therefore, the speed of M.
One big advantage of this method is that any speed, within the working range, can be
obtained instead of only two or three, as with other methods of speed control.
Yet another advantage is that if the rotary converter is over-excited, it will take a leading
current which compensates for the lagging current drawn by main motor M and hence improve the
power factor to the system.
In Fig. 35.40 is shown another method, known as Schebius System, for controlling the speed
of large induction motors. The slip energy is not converted into DC and then fed to a DC motor,
rather it is fed directly to a special 3-phase (or 6-phase) AC commutato motor-called a Scherbius
machine.
The polyphase winding of machine C is supplied with the low-frequency output of machine
M through a regulating transformer RT. The commutator motor C is a variable-speed motor and its
speed (and hence that of M) is controlled by either varying the tapping on RT or by adjusting the
position of brushes on C.

Page 8 of 10
 Speed Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor

Fig. 35.40

IM: Induction Motor; SM: Synchronous Motor; SG: Synchronous Generator or

Alternator; DCM: DC motor; DCG: DC generator
AT: ampere-turn; FL: full-load; NL: no-load;
OC: open-circuit; OCC: open-circuit current; PF: power factor;
SC: short-circuit; SCC: short-circuit current; m/c: Machine;
w.r.t.: with respect to; PD: potential differece

Possible Questions:
1. Why it is much easier to build a good adjustable-speed DC shunt motor than an adjustable speed
induction motor?
2. What are the three methods used to control of an induction motor from the stator side?
3. What are the three methods used to control of an induction motor from the rotor side?
4. What are the methods of controlling speed of a three phase induction motor?
5. Briefly describe the method of changing applied voltage for controlling speed of an induction
motor.
6. Briefly describe the method of changing applied frequency for controlling speed of an induction
motor.
7. Briefly describe the method of pole changing for controlling speed of an induction motor.
8. Describe rotor rheostat control method of speed control of a three phase induction motor.
9. Describe the cascade or concatenation method of speed control of an induction motor.
10. Describe injecting of an emf in the rotor circuit control method of speed control of a three phase
induction motor.
11. What is the effect on speed of an induction motor if supplied voltage increases?
12. What is the effect on speed of an induction motor if supplied voltage decreases?

Example 35.31. Two 50Hz, three-phase induction motors having six and four poles respectively are
cumulatively cascaded, the 6-pole motor being connected to the main supply. Determine the
frequency of the rotor currents and the slips referred to each stator field if the set has a slip of 2%.
Example 35.32. A 4-pole induction motor and a 6-pole induction motor are connected in cumulative
cascade. The frequency in the secondary circuit of the 6-pole motor is observed to be 1.0 Hz.
Determine the slip in each machine and the combined speed of the set. Take supply frequency as 50
Hz and 4-pole induction motor is being connected to the supply.

Page 9 of 10
 Speed Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor

References
[1] B. L. Theraja, A. K. Theraja, “A Textbook of ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY in SI Units Volume
II, AC & DC Machines”, S. Chand & Company Ltd., (Multicolour illustrative Edition).
[2] A. F. Puchstein, T. C. Lloyd, A.G. Conrad, “Alternating Current Machines”, © 1942, Asia
Publishing House, Third Edition (Fully revised and corrected Edition 2006-07).
[3] Jack Rosenblatt, M. Harold Friedman, “Direct and Alternating Current Machinery”, Indian
Edition (2nd Edition), CBS Publishers & Distributors.
[4] A. E. Fitzgerald, Charles Kingsley, Jr. Stephen D. Umans, Electric Machinery, 5th Edition in SI
units, ©1992 Metric Edition, McGraw Hill Book Company.
[5] Irving L. Kosow, Electrical Machinery and Transformers, Second Edition, Prentice –Hall India
Pvt. Limited.

Page 10 of 10