Department of Electrical Engineering

EE351L: Electrical Machines Lab - Lab Manual

Course Instructor: Mr. Asad Dated:

Lab Engineer : Mr. Asif Ali Semester: 5th

Lab 11. Torque and Speed Characteristics of Squirrel Cage

Motor

Name Roll No Total Marks

(35)

Checked on: ________________________________

Signature: __________________________________
11.1 Introduction
A machine with only a continuous set of amortisseur windings is called an induction machine. Such
machines are called induction machines because the rotor voltage (which produces the rotor current
and the rotor magnetic field) is induced in the rotor windings rather than being physically connected by
wires Although it is possible to use an induction machine as either a motor or a generator, it has many
disadvantages as a generator and so is only used as a generator in special applications. For this reason,
induction machines are usually referred to as induction motors. [5]
11.2 Objective
Demonstrate the operating characteristics of a three-phase induction motor using the Four-Pole
Squirrel-Cage Induction Motor module and to study the effects of varying the input line voltage on
the induction motor characteristic.
11.3 Equipment and Component

Component Description Model No./Value Quantity

3Ø- Power Supply 8821-25 1

Data Acquisition & Control Interface 9063-00 1

Four Pole Squirrel – Cage Induction Motor 8221-05 1

Prime Mover/Dynamometer 8960-25 1

Resistive Load 8311-05 1

Timing Belt N/A 1

BNC Cables 8941 12-16

Conduct of Lab
1. Students are required to perform this experiment in groups of two.
2. If any aspect of the lab experiment need clarification, the students are advised to seek help from
the course instructor, lab engineers, teaching assistants (TA) or lab attendants.
11.5 Theory and Background
An induction motor has the same physical stator as a synchronous machine, with a different rotor
construction. It looks (and is) the same as a synchronous machine stator. There are two different types
of induction motor rotors which can be placed inside the stator. One is caned a cage rotor, while the
other is called a wound rotor. A cage induction motor rotor consists of a series of conducting bars laid
into slots carved in the face of the rotor and shorted at either end by large shorting rings. This design
is referred to as a cage rotor because the conductors, if examined by themselves, would look like one
of the exercise wheels that squirrels or hamsters run all. The other type of rotor is a wound rotor. A
wound rotor has a complete set of three-phase windings that are similar to the windings on the stator.
The three phases of the rotor windings are usually Y-connected, and the ends of the three rotor wires
are tied to slip rings on the rotor's shaft. The rotor windings are shorted through brushes riding on the
slip rings.
Wound-rotor induction motors therefore have their rotor currents accessible at the stator brushes, where
they can be examined and where extra resistance call be inserted into the rotor circuit. It is possible to
take advantage of this feature to modify the torque-speed characteristic of the motor. Wound-rotor
induction motors are more expensive than cage induction motors, and they require much more
maintenance because of the wear associated with their brushes and slip rings. As a result, wound-rotor
induction motors are rarely used. [5]
The simplest and the most widely used rotor for induction motors is the squirrel cage rotor. The squirrel
cage induction motor consists of a laminated iron core which is slotted lengthwise around its periphery.
Solid bars of copper or aluminum are tightly pressed or embedded into the rotor slots. At both ends of
the rotor, short circuiting rings are welded or brazed to the bars to make a solid structure. The short
circuited bars, because their resistance is much less than the core, do not have to be specially insulated
from the core.
 Figure 11-1: Squirrel cage induction motor [3]

The rotor has relatively large inductive reactance (XL) with respect to its resistance (R). Under these
conditions the rotor current will lag the rotor voltage and the power factor in the circuit will be low.
One of the ways of creating a rotating electromagnet is to connect a three-phase power source to a stator
made of three electromagnets A, B, and C, that are placed at 1200 to one another. When sine-wave
currents phase shifted of 1200 to each other, like those shown in Figure 11-3, flow in stator
electromagnets A, B, and C, a magnetic field that rotates very regularly is obtained. [3]

Figure 11-2: Three electromagnet in stator [3]

Figure 11-3: Current waveform of induction motor [3]

In the given figures below, illustrates the magnetic field created by stator electromagnets A, B, and C,
at instants numbered 1 to 6 in Figure 11-3. Notice that the magnetic lines of force exit at the north pole
of each electromagnet and enter at the South Pole. As can be seen, the magnetic field rotates clockwise.
The use of sine-wave currents produces a magnetic field that rotates regularly and whose strength does
not vary over time. The speed of the rotating magnetic field is known as the synchronous speed (ns and
is proportional to the frequency of the ac power source. A rotating magnetic field can also be obtained
using other combinations of sine-wave currents that are phase-shifted with respect to each other, but
three-phase sine-wave currents are used more frequently.
When a squirrel-cage rotor is placed inside a rotating magnetic field, it is pulled around in the same
direction as the rotating field. Interchanging the power connections to two of the stator windings
(interchanging A with B for example) interchanges two of the three currents and reverses the phase
sequence. This causes the rotating field to reverse direction. As a result, the direction of rotation of the
motor is also reversed.
One can easily deduce that the torque produced by squirrel-cage induction motor increases as the
difference in speed between the rotating magnetic field and the rotor increases. The difference in speed
between the two is called slip. As can be seen, the motor speed (rotor speed) is always lower than the
synchronous speed ns because slip is necessary for the motor to develop torque. The synchronous speed
for the Lab-Volt motors is 1800 r/min for 60-Hz power, and 1500 r/min for 50-Hz power.

(𝑛𝑠𝑦𝑛𝑐 − 𝑛𝑚)
𝑆𝑙𝑖𝑝 = 𝑠 = ∗ 100%
𝑛𝑠𝑦𝑛𝑐
120 ∗ 𝑓𝑒
𝑛𝑠𝑦𝑛𝑐 =
𝑃
𝑃 = 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒
𝑛𝑚 = 𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = 𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑
𝑅𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑓𝑟 = 𝑠 ∗ 𝑓𝑠

𝑓𝑒 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
The speed versus torque characteristic of the squirrel-cage induction motor is very similar to that
obtained for a separately-excited dc motor. However, the currents induced in the squirrel-cage rotor
must change direction more and more rapidly as the slip increases.

Figure 11-4: Torque speed curve [3]

In other words, the frequency of the currents induced in the rotor increases as the slip increases, since
the rotor is made up of iron and coils of wire, it has an inductance that opposes rapid changes in current.
As a result, the currents induced in the rotor are no longer directly proportional to the slip of the motor.
This affects the speed versus torque characteristic as shown in Figure 11-5.
 Figure 11-5: Characteristic curve affects the speed torque of motor [3]
As the curve shows, the no-load speed is slightly less than the synchronous speed ns, but as the load
torque increases, motor speed decreases. For the nominal value of motor torque (full-load torque)
corresponds a nominal operating speed (full-load speed). Further increases in load torque lead to a point
of instability, called breakdown torque, after which both motor speed and output torque decrease. The
torque value at zero speed, called locked-rotor torque, is often less than the breakdown torque. At start-
up, and at low speed, motor current is very high and the amount of power that is consumed is higher
than during normal operation.
Another characteristic of three-phase squirrel-cage induction motors is the fact that they always draw
reactive power from the ac power source. The reactive power even exceeds the active power when the
squirrel-cage induction motor rotates without load. The reactive power is necessary to create the
magnetic field in the machine in the same way that an inductor needs reactive power to create the
magnetic field surrounding the inductor.

As shown in Figure 11-6 both locked rotor torque and the breakdown torque decrease greatly when the
motor voltage is reduced. In practice, the torque decrease by factor equal to the square of the reduction
factor of the motor voltage.

Figure 11-6: Characteristic curve showing locked rotor and breakdown rotor torque [3]

𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑀𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 = ή = ∗ 100%
𝑃𝑖𝑛
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 = τ ∗ ω

𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 (𝑅𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑) = ω

𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 = τ

12.6 Procedure
CAUTION
High voltages are present in this laboratory exercise! Do not make or modify any banana jack
connections with the power on unless otherwise specified!
In the first part of the exercise, you will set up the equipment in the Workstation, connect the equipment
as shown in Figure 12-7, and make the appropriate settings on the Prime Mover I Dynamometer.

In the second part of the exercise, you will apply the nominal line voltage to the squirrel-cage induction
motor, note the motor direction of rotation, and measure the motor no-load speed. You will then
increase the mechanical load applied to the squirrel-cage induction motor by steps. For each step, you
will record in the data table various electrical and mechanical parameters related to the motor. You will
then use this data to plot various graphs and determine many of the characteristics of the squirrel-cage
induction motor.
 In the third part of the exercise, you will interchange two of the leads that supply power to the squirrel-
cage induction motor and observe if this affects the direction of rotation.
1. Install the Power Supply, Prime Mover / Dynamometer, Four-Pole Squirrel-Cage Induction
Motor (Wye configuration), and Data Acquisition Interface {DAI) modules in the EMS workstation.
2. Mechanically couple the Prime Mover / Dynamometer to the Four-Pole Squirrel-Cage
Induction Motor.
3. On the 'Power Supply, make sure the main power switch is set to the O (off) position, and the
voltage control knob is turned fully counter clockwise.
4. Ensure that the flat cable from the computer is connected to the DAI module.
5. Connect the LOW POWER Inputs of the DAI and Prime Mover / Dynamometer modules to
the 24 𝑉𝑎𝑐 output of the power supply. On the Power Supply, set the 24 V - AC power switch to the I
(on) position
6. Setup the circuit connection in the given Figure 11-7. [1 mark]
7. Start the Metering application. In the metering window open the set up.

Figure 11-7: Squirrel cage induction motor connection [3]

8. Set the Prime Mover / Dynamometer controls as follows:

MODE Switch DYN
LOAD CONTROL MODE switch MAN
LOAD CONTROL knob MIN (Fully CCW)
DISPLAY switch TORQUE (τ)

Characteristics of a Squirrel-Cage Induction Motor:

9. Turn on the Power Supply and set the voltage control knob so that the line voltage indicated by meter
E1 is equal to 400 line voltage of the squirrel-cage induction motor.
10. What is the direction of rotation of the squirrel-cage induction motor? [1 mark]

11. Record in the following blank space the motor speed indicated by meter N in the Metering window.
n = ………………… [1 mark]
12. Is the no-load speed almost equal to the speed of the rotating magnetic field (synchronous
speed) given in the Discussion? [1 marks]
YES NO
13. In the Metering window, make sure that the torque correction function of meter τ is selected.
Meter τ indicates the output torque of the squirrel- cage induction motor.
On the Prime Mover / Dynamometer, adjust the LOAD CONTROL knob so that the mechanical power
developed by the squirrel-cage induction motor (indicated by meter Pm in the Metering window) is
equal to 175 W (nominal motor output power).
14. Record the nominal speed, torque, and line current of the squirrel-cage induction motor in the
following blank spaces. The line current is [3 marks]
𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑚 =
𝜏𝑛𝑜𝑚 =
𝐼𝑛𝑜𝑚 =
On the Prime Mover / Dynamometer, turn the LOAD CONTROL knob fully counter clockwise. The
torque indicated on the Prime Mover / Dynamometer display should be 0 N.m (0 Ibf.in).
15. Record the motor line voltage 𝐸𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 line current I𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 active power P, reactive power Q, speed n, output
mechanical power 𝑃𝑚 and output torque τ in the Table 11-1.
16. On the Prime Mover I Dynamometer, adjust the LOAD CONTROL knob so that the torque
indicated on the module display increases by 0.3 N.m (3.0 Ibf.in) increments up to 1.8 N.m (15.0 Ibf.in).
For each torque setting, record the data in the Table 12-1.
17. On the Prime Mover / Dynamometer, carefully adjust the LOAD CONTROL knob so that the
torque indicated on the module display increases by 0.1 N.m (1.0 Ibf.in) increments until the motor
speed starts to decrease fairly rapidly (breakdown torque region). For each additional torque setting,
record the data in the data table. Once the motor speed has stabilized, record the data in the Table 12-
1.
[10 marks]
𝐸𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒(V) I𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒(A 𝑃𝑖𝑛(W) n(rpm) τ
(N.m)
300 0
0.3
0.6
0.9
1.2
1.5
1.8
1.9
2.0
2.1
2.2
Table 11-1: Measurements of induction motor parameters

18. Does the motor line current indicated in column I1 increase as the mechanical load applied to
the squirrel-cage induction motor increases? [1 marks]
YES NO
19. In the Graph window, make the appropriate settings to obtain a graph of the motor speed as a
function of the motor torque. [3 marks]

20. Briefly describe how the speed varies as the mechanical load applied to the squirrel cage induction
increases i.e. as the motor torque increase. [1 mark]

21. Indicate on the graph the nominal speed and torque of the squirrel cage induction motor measured
previously. Using the graph.
22. Determine the breakdown torque of the squirrel cage induction motor: [1 mark]

23. Determine the minimum-speed torque. This torque is a good approximation of the locked-rotor
torque of the squirrel-cage induction motor: [1 mark]
 τ 𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑅𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 =

24. Compare the breakdown torque and locked-rotor torque with the nominal torque of the squirrel-cage
induction motor. [1 mark]

25. Does graph confirm that the squirrel-cage induction motor always draws reactive power from
the ac power source? [1 mark]

26. Does graph confirm that the squirrel-cage induction motor draws more electrical power from the ac
power source as it drives a heavier load? [1 mark]

27. Observe that when the squirrel-cage induction motor rotates without load, the reactive power exceeds
the active power. What does this reveal? [1 mark]

28. In the Graph window, make the appropriate settings to obtain a graph of the motor line current
I𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 (obtained from meter I1) as a function of the motor speed (obtained from meter N) using the data
recorded previously in the data table. Name the x-axis as Squirrel-Cage Induction-Motor Speed, name
the y-axis as Squirrel-Cage Induction-Motor Line Current, and print the graph. [3 marks]

29. How the line current does vary as the motor speed decreases? [1 mark]
 Assessment Rubrics
Method:
Lab report evaluation and instructor observation during lab sessions.

Able to complete the Able to complete the Tasks completion

Performance CLO Marks
tasks over 80% (4-5) tasks 50 – 80% (2-3) below 50% (0-1)
Needs guidance to
Selects relevant equipment Incapable of selecting
select relevant
to the experiment and the relevant equipment
Realization of equipment and
1 demonstrates the deep and doesn’t have any
experiment demonstrates the basic
understanding of the understanding of the
understanding of the
experiment. experiment.
experiment.
Connects circuit parts,
Connects the circuit
sets input states
components properly, sets Unable to connect
according to the
Conducting input signals according to circuits parts, and
1 requirement of
experiment the requirement of perform procedure of
experiment and
experiment and examines the experiment
examines the output
the output meticulously
with minor error
Actively engages and Cooperates with other Distracts or discourages
cooperates with other group members in a other group members
Teamwork 2
group members in an reasonable manner. from conducting the
effective manner. experiment.
Respectfully and carefully Observes safety rules Disregards safety rules
Laboratory
2 observes safety rules and and procedures with and procedures.
Safety Rules
procedures minor deviation.
Completes data collection
from the experiment setup Completes the data Fails at collecting data
by giving proper input collection with minor by giving proper inputs
Data signals and observing the error and enters data in and observing output
1
collection outputs, ensures that the lab manual with slight states of experiment
data is entered in the lab deviation from setup, unable to fill the
manual according to the guidelines lab manual properly
specified instructions
Analyzes the data obtained Analyzes data with Unable to establish the
from the experiment minor error and relationship between
thoroughly and accurately correlates it with practical and
verifies it with theoretical theoretical values theoretical values and
Data analysis 1
understanding, accounts for reasonably. Attempts to lacks the theoretical
any discrepancy in data account for any understanding to
from theory with sound discrepancy in data explain any
explanation from theory discrepancy in data
Operates the LVDAC Uses LVDAC
Unable to launch and
interfaces of the digital interfaces of digital
operate the LVDAC
Computer use 1 multimeter and the power instruments with
with or without
supplies, etc. with little to guidance from
assistance
no help to verify the results. instructor

Total / 35