Qatar University

Department of Electrical Engineering

ELEC 313 Electric Machines Lab

Experiment 5: No Load and Blocked Rotor Tests on a Three-Phase Induction Motor

1. Introduction
The objectives of the experiment are:

a. To obtain the parameters of the equivalent circuit of an induction motor.

b. To draw the equivalent circuit of the induction motor.
c. To simulate the NL and BR tests on induction motor using Simulink.

2. Theory
The equivalent circuit/phase of a three-phase induction motor referred to stator is shown in
figure1.

Figure1

2.1 The No-Load Test

No-load test on the three-phase induction motor gives information about excitation current and
rotational losses. Applying rated voltage and frequency to the stator windings performs this test.
The motor is not loaded so that a small power loss is due to the core loss and the friction and
windage loss. The rotational losses are considered to be constant for an induction machine.

During no-load test, the equivalent circuit reduces to a simple parallel one with
R0 and X 0 .

If the no-load three phase input power,

P NL is known, the power factor can be calculated as,
P NL
cos ϕ 0=
√ 3 V 1( LL) I1
Hence the core resistance can be found as,
V 1( LN )
RC =
I 1 cos ϕ 0
The core reactance is given by,
V 1( LN )
X m=
I 1 sin ϕ 0

2.2 The Locked Rotor Test

The locked rotor test gives information about leakage impedances. In this test the rotor is
blocked so that it doesn’t rotate. This test should be performed at a reduced voltage and rated
I
current. Since 0 is insignificant the equivalent circuit reduces to a series one with R1 and X 1 .

If the locked rotor three phase input power, P BR is known

P
Req = BR2
3I1

The equivalent impedance referred to stator can be calculated as,

V BR( LN )
Z eq=
I1

Hence, the equivalent reactance referred to stator is given as,

X eq= √ Z 2eq−R 2eq

The power factor can be calculated as,

Req
cos ϕ SC =
Z eq

2.3 Measurement of Resistance

'
Measuring the stator resistance R1 will give the rotor resistance R2 referred to stator.
R'2 =Req −R1
and
X eq
X 1 =X '2=
2

3. Equipment List

Equipment Quantity
Variable (0-400V) ac supply 1
Three phase induction motor, 400 V, 50Hz 1
Locking mechanism for rotor 1
Wattmeter 2
Digital Multimeter 4
4. Schematic Diagram

4.1 No load test

4.2 Blocked rotor test

5. Procedure

5.1 No-Load Test

1. Start the induction motor with the three phase autotransformer with no load on the shaft.
2. Apply the rated voltage at the terminals of the motor.
3. Record the voltage, current and three-phase power indicated by the wattmeter in Table 1.

5.2 Blocked Rotor Test

1. Block the rotor so that it doesn’t rotate.
2. Apply a reduced voltage on the stator using the three phase autotransformer. The circulating
current should not exceed the motor rated current.
3. Record the voltage, current and three-phase power as indicated by the wattmeter in Table 2.
4. Measure the resistance of the stator winding of the motor and record in Table 3.
6. Measurements (10%)

Table 1
V1(LL) I1 PNL pf

378 0.79 66.7 0.13

Table 2
VBR(LL) I1 PBR pf

63.5 0.6 39.7 0.6

Table 3

Resistance of the stator winding, R1 19.7

7. Calculations (10%)

66.7
cos ϕ 0= =0.12896
√3 ×378 × 0.79
−1
ϕ 0=cos 0.12896=82.59
V ln 378
Rc = = =2142.146
I 1 cos ϕ 0 √ 3 ×0.79 ×0.12896
V ln 378
X m= = =278.578
I 1 sin ϕ 0 √ 3 ×0.79 × sin 82.59
P BR 39.7
Req = 2
= 2
=36.759
3 I 1 3 ( 0.6 )
R2=R eq−R 1=36.759−19.7=17.059
V BR (NL) 63.5
Z eq= = =61.103
√ 3 I 1 √3 × 0.6
X eq=√ Z eq −Req =√ 61.103 −36.759 =48.809
2 2 2 2

'
X 1 =X 2=24.405

pf =cos ϕ 0=0.12896
ϕ 0=82.59
Rc =2142.146
X m=278.578
R1=19.7
R2=17.059
Req =36.759
X eq=48.809
Z eq=61.103
 '
X 1 =X 2=24.405

8. Postlab (5%)
Simulate the NL and BR tests using Matlab/Simulink on the three phase induction motor using
the equivalent parameters experimentally obtained. Verify the measured values of voltage,
current and power. Use the inertia constant, J=0.001 for modeling purpose. The friction factor
for 4 pole black machine is F= 0.0017 while that of 2 pole white machine is F=0.0004.

No Load:

BR:

9. Discussion (35%)

Due to their solid construction, reliability and efficiency, induction motors, in

particular three-phase induction motors, have a broad reach in industrial applications.
The speed control of an induction motor is important to ensure that energy is used
efficiently and to improve the productivity of industrial processes. Furthermore, various
classes of three-phase induction motors have features that make them more suitable for
different operational needs. This paper looks at the different strategies for controlling the
speed of induction motors and also describes the different classes of three-phase
induction motors in detail.
The speed of an induction motor is mainly the function of frequency with supply
voltage and number of poles fixed, mathematically given as:
Ns=120xfPNs=N⋅ff=\frac{1}{P}Ns=P1×f Speed control methods are limited to
frequency modulation or adjustment and changing of other motor parameters, because
the number colonies for a particular DC-series motor is fixed. Main speed control
methods are
The Variable Frequency Drive (VFD): Frequency control: VFDs are one of the
most effective ways to adjust speed by varying frequency, and they do this using a
supply voltage. VFDs can control the frequency (and thus voltage), to give extremely
precise motor speed, torque and power consumption control. It has widespread
applications in the use of fans, pumps and conveyor systems where power conservation
is important.
Pole Changing Method: This one actually modifies the number of poles in a
motor by physically changing the stator winding configuration. Linear induction motor
drives are also recognizable, using the variant of a linear reluctance machine.
Synchronous speed varies with the number of poles. It is limited to motors that are built
with multiple pole configurations and usually find use in applications where speed
control will be more or less discrete.
Rotor Resistance Control: Applicable in wound-rotor induction motors, rotor
resistance control necessitates the use of external resistances to be grounded with the
circuit. This increases the slip of the motor (ie, decreases due to torque = k * [1 / speed]
× Rated Torque) as resistance is lowered. While it is straightforward, this method wastes
a lot of energy by being so simple and results in large losses of power that are dissipated
as heat.
Stator Voltage Control: These systems adjust speed by adjusting the supply
voltage to the stator. When the voltage is lowered, torque and motor speed decreases.
This is unfortunately reserved for light duty applications, as torque diminishes with the
square of voltage using this approach. This is most commonly employed in small fan or
pump drives that does not have high energy efficiency.
Slip Power Recovery: This is the way wound rotor or slip ring motors are
employed to re-capture energy otherwise wasted in the rotor circuit and return it either
back on the supply, or use for secondary duty. Here, the method includes controlling the
rotor current by using a power electronic converter. This is especially helpful in the case
of large industrial motors where slip power recovery offers an efficient mode of speed
control with minimum energy losses.
One classification is that three-phase induction motors have different classes,
depending on the torque-speed characteristics of the motor, their construction of the
rotor, and the kind of application being served. The common classes are as follow.
Class A motors are those having high starting torque with correspondingly low
starting current, suiting them for applications requiring frequent starts and stops. The
starting torque and full-load torque characteristics are normal. Applications include
pumps, blowers, and fans where smooth acceleration and steady running are called for.
Class B motors are the most utilized three-phase induction motors. They realize a
balanced compromise between starting torque and current, therefore they provide
average starting torque with low starting current. General-purpose applications of such
motors include conveyors, compressors, and machine tools.
 Class C are designed for applications requiring high starting torque with low
starting current. Because of their higher rotor resistance, Class C motors can develop a
higher starting torque without drawing excessive current. They find applications
involving high inertia loads such as in crushers, presses, and in the case of reciprocating
pumps.
Class D motors have very high starting torque, but their steady state operation is
at considerable slip. Applications of such motors include punch presses and elevators
where high torque is required but variable speed control is less than essential.
Less common, Class E motors are optimized for low-slip operation at full load. They are
normally designed for applications requiring minimal energy losses at full-load
operation, such as large industrial fans and pumps, where the operation of the motor is
continuous at near-constant speed.
The selection of speed drives in induction motors is an important step in the
optimization of industrial processes for saving energy. Depending on the demands of the
industries based on precision, energy efficiency, or cost, some of the control methods
include VFD, pole changing, and rotor resistance control, among several others. Besides,
three-phase induction motors come in different classes catering to specific application
requirements, from general-purpose Class B motors to high-torque Class D motors. Each
of these speed control techniques and motor classes is understood and allows the
engineer to apply the best solution to the application with robust and efficient operating
characteristics.

Req

17.059Ω 24.405 Ω
R2' X2'

19.7Ω 24.405 Ω
R1 X1

Rs Xm
V1 Xeq V2'
R2'(1/s)/s
2.142kΩ 278.578 Ω

10.References (5%)

[1] A. E. Fitzgerald, C. Kingsley, and S. Umans, Electric Machinery, 6th ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2002.
[2] J. D. Edwards, Electric Motors and Drives: Fundamentals, Types, and Applications, 4th ed.
Oxford: Elsevier, 2017.
[3] B. K. Bose, Modern Power Electronics and AC Drives, 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice-Hall, 2006.
[4] P. Vas, Vector Control of AC Machines, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990.
[5] IEEE Standard 112-2017, "IEEE Standard Test Procedure for Polyphase Induction Motors
and Generators," 2017.