Unit-III

Synchronous Motor

Prof. P. Satish Kumar

Department of Electrical Engineering
University College of Engineering, Osmania University
Hyderabad, Telangana
 Contents
 Introduction: Theory of Operation
 Vector Diagram
 Variation of Current and P.F with Excitation
 Hunting and its Prevention
 Current and Power Circle Diagram
 Predetermination of Performance
 Methods of Starting and Synchronizing
 Synchronizing Power
 Synchronous Condenser
 Applications
 Introduction
 A synchronous motor is electrically identical with an alternator or AC generator. A given
alternator (or synchronous machine) can be used as a motor, when driven electrically.
Some characteristic features of a synchronous motor are as follows:

1. It runs either at synchronous speed or not at all i.e. while running it maintains a
constant speed. The only way to change its speed is to vary the supply frequency
(because Ns=120f/P).

2. It is not inherently self-starting. It has to be run up to synchronous (or near

synchronous) speed by some means, before it can be synchronized to the supply.

3. It is capable of being operated under a wide range of power factors, both lagging and
leading. Hence, it can be used for power correction purposes, in addition to supplying
torque to drive loads.
 When a 3-phase winding is fed by a 3-phase supply, then a magnetic flux of constant
magnitude but rotating at synchronous speed, is produced.

 Consider a two-pole stator of Fig. in which are shown two stator poles (marked Ns and Ss)
rotating at synchronous speed say, in clockwise direction. Since the two similar poles, N (of
rotor) and Ns (of stator) as well as S and Ss will repel each other, the rotor tends to rotate
in the anti-clockwise direction.

 But half a period latter, stator poles, having rotated around, interchange their position i.e.
Ns is at position B and Ss at point A. under these conditions, Ns attracts S and Ss attracts
N and rotor tends to rotate clockwise.
 Introduction
 Hence, we find that due to continuous and rapid rotation of stator poles, the
rotor is subjected to torque which tends to move it first in one direction and
then in the opposite direction. Owing to its large inertia, the rotor cannot
instantaneously respond to such quickly reversing torque, with the result that
it remains stationary.

 Now, consider the condition shown in Fig. 36.3(a) where the stator and rotor
poles are attracting each other.

 Suppose that the rotor is not stationary, but it is rotating clockwise, with such
a speed that turns through one pole-pitch by the time the stator poles
interchange their positions, as shown in Fig. 36.3(b).

 Here, again the stator and rotor poles attract each other. It means that if the
rotor poles also shift their positions along with the stator poles, then they will
continuously experience a unidirectional torque i.e. clockwise torque
 Methods of Starting
 The rotor, initially unpowered, is brought up to synchronous or near-synchronous speed
using some mechanism. Once the rotor reaches this speed, it is powered by a DC source. At
that moment, the magnetic fields of the rotor and stator lock together, causing them to rotate
in sync at the same speed. This magnetic locking is why the motor either runs at
synchronous speed or doesn’t run at all. The synchronous speed is calculated using the
formula: NS = 120 f / P,

where f is the frequency, and *P* is the number of poles.

 However, it is important to understand that the arrangement between the stator and rotor
poles is not an absolutely rigid one. As the load on the motor is increased, the rotor
progressively tends to fall back in phase by some angle ‘α’ (Fig. 38.4) but it still continues to
run synchronously.
 With the rotor field switched on if the stator is connected to the mains, the stator field
rotates with respect to the rotor field producing alternating torque with zero average value.
The motor, therefore, would not start.

 For an electric machine to produce steady torque is the stator and rotor fields must be
relatively stationary. The synchronous motor must therefore be run as a generator brought
up close to synchronous speed and then synchronized to main and loaded as a motor. For
this purpose an auxiliary motor is coupled to the synchronous motor.
 Methods of Starting and Synchronizing
1. Auxiliary Motor Starting: It is a small dc or induction motor (much smaller in size
than the synchronous motor). Because of the universal availability of ac supply
induction motor is preferred choice. It should have the same number of poles as the
synchronous motor and run from the same ac supply, i.e., same frequency and so
same synchronous speed.
 Starting Procedure: With synchronous motor disconnected from supply, the
induction motor is switched on. As it reaches steady speed slightly less than the
synchronous speed, the synchronous motor field is switched on to dc supply exciter
or SCR source.
 The torque developed by interaction of stator and rotor fields alternates at slip
frequency (sf ). As this frequency is very small (about 2 cycles/s), during the forward
torque half cycle (pull in torque), enough time is available for the rotor to accelerate and
the rotor field to lock up with stator; the rotor thus acquires the synchronous speed. The
auxiliary motor is now switched off.
2) Synduction Motor : A synchronous motor starting on induction principle by means of
damper winding is called a synduction motor. The damper windings act like the squirrel-
cage rotor producing the starting torque.
 In the starting operation of a synduction motor the field is kept shorted while the stator
is switched on to 3-phase ac supply. As the motor reaches close to synchronous speed,
the field is energized from dc supply. The rotor now gets synchronized automatically as
explained in auxiliary motor starting.
 It is essential to keep the field shorted at start otherwise in the initial part of the starting
time when the slip is close to unity, high voltage would be induced in the field winding it
has normally large number of turns which can damage it.

 In fact to avoid high current in the field, it is shorted through resistance several times the
field resistance. The field shorted through high resistance adds to the motor starting
torque. The above methods of starting synchronous motors can be employed when the
starting torque requirement is low, may be no-load starting. The machine is loaded after it
has synchronized.
 Motor on No-Load With Constant Excitation
 In a synchronous machine, a back emf Eb(as like DC motor) is set up in the armature (stator) by the
rotor flux which opposes the applied voltage V.

 This back emf depends on rotor excitation only (and not on speed as in DC motors).

 The net voltage in armature (stator) is the vector difference (not arithmetical, as in DC motors) of V
and Eb.

 Armature current is obtained by dividing this vector difference of voltages by armature impedance
(not resistance as in DC machines)

 Fig. shows the condition when the motor (properly synchronized to the supply) is running on no-
load and has no losses and is having fixed excitation which makes Eb = V
 Motor on load with constant excitation

 It is seen that vector difference of Eb and V is zero and zero is the armature current.

 Motor intake is zero, as there is neither load nor losses to be met by it. In other words, the
motor just floats.
 If motor is on no-load, but it has losses, then the vector for Eb
falls back (vectors are rotating anti-clockwise) by a certain
angle α (Fig. 38.7), so that a resultant voltage ER and hence
current Ia is brought into existence, which supplies losses.
 If, now, the motor is loaded, then its rotor will further fall back
in phase by a greater value of angle ‘α’ called the load angle
or coupling angle.
 The resultant voltage ER is increased and motor draws
an increased armature current (Fig. 38.8), though at a
slightly decreased power factor.
 Equivalent Circuit of a Synchronous Motor

Fig.(a) shows the equivalent circuit model for It is seen from Fig. (b) that the phase applied
one armature phase of a cylindrical rotor voltage V is the vector sum of reversed back
synchronous motor. e.m.f. i.e., −Eb and the impedance drop Ia ZS.
In other words, V = (−Eb + Ia ZS)

 The angle α between the phasor for V and Eb is called the load angle or power angle of the
synchronous motor.
 Power Flow within a Synchronous Motor

 Let Ra = armature resistance/phase ; XS = synchronous reactance/phase

 The angle θ (known as internal angle) by which Ia lags behind ER is given by tan θ = XS/Ra. If Ra
is negligible, then θ = 90º.
 Motor input = V Ia cos φ —per phase. Here, V is applied voltage / phase. Total input for a star-
connected, 3-phase machine is, P = √3 VL . IL cosφ.
 The mechanical power developed, some would go to meet iron and fraction and excitation
losses.
 Hence, the power available at the shaft would be less than the developed power by this
amount.
 Out of the input power/phase VIa cos φ, and amount I a2Ra is wasted in armature, the rest
(V.Iacosφ − Ia2Ra ) appears as mechanical power in rotor, out of it iron, friction and excitation
losses are met and the rest is available at the shaft.

 If power input/phase of the motor is P, then P = P m + Ia2Ra. or mechanical power in rotor Pm = P -

Ia2Ra. For three phases Pm=√3 VL IL Cosφ – 3 Ia2 Ra.

 The per phase power development in a synchronous machine is as under:

 Power Developed by a Synchronous Motor
 The armature resistance of a synchronous motor is negligible as compared to
its synchronous reactance.
AB = Eb sin α = Ia XS cos φ

or VIa cos φ = (EbV/Xs)Sinα

Now, VIa cos φ = motor power input/phase

 Since stator Cu losses have been

neglected, Pin also represents the gross
mechanical power {Pm} developed by the
motor.
 The gross torque developed by the motor is Tg = 9.55 Pm / Ns N–m ...Ns
in rpm.
 Different torques of a synchronous motor
• Various torques associated with a synchronous motor are as follows:

1. Starting torque

2. Running torque

3. Pull-in torque and

4. Pull-out torque

(a) Starting Torque: It is the torque (or turning effort) developed by the motor
when full voltage is applied to its stator (armature) winding. It is also sometimes
called breakaway torque. Its value may be as low as 10% as in the case of
centrifugal pumps and as high as 200 to 250% of full-load torque as in the case
of loaded reciprocating two-cylinder compressors.

(b) Running Torque: As its name indicates, it is the torque developed by the motor
under running conditions. It is determined by the horse-power and speed of the
driven machine. The peak horsepower determines the maximum torque that would
be required by the driven machine. The motor must have a breakdown or a
maximum running torque greater than this value in order to avoid stalling.
 Different torques of a synchronous motor
(c) Pull-in Torque: A synchronous motor is started as induction motor till it runs 2 to
5% below the synchronous speed. Afterwards, excitation is switched on and the rotor
pulls into step with the synchronously rotating stator field. The amount of torque at
which the motor will pull into step is called the pull-in torque.

(d) Pull-out Torque : The maximum torque which the motor can develop without
pulling out of step or synchronism is called the pull-out torque. Normally, when load on
the motor is increased, its rotor progressively tends to fall back in phase by some angle
(called load angle) behind the synchronously-revolving stator magnetic field though it
keeps running synchronously. Motor develops maximum torque when its rotor is
retarded by an angle of 90º (or in other words, it has shifted backward by a distance
equal to half the distance between adjacent poles). Any further increase in load will
cause the motor to pull out of step (or synchronism) and stop.
 Synchronous Motor With Different Excitations
• A synchronous motor is said to have normal excitation when its Eb = V. If field
excitation is such that Eb < V, the motor is said to be under-excited. In both these
conditions, it has a lagging power factor as shown in Fig. 38.12.

• On the other hand, if d.c. field excitation is such that E b > V, then motor is said
to be over-excited and draws a leading current, as shown in Fig. 38.13 (a). There
will be some value of excitation for which armature current will be in phase with
V, so that power factor will become unity, as shown in Fig. 38.13 (b).

• The value of α and back e.m.f. Eb can be found with the help of vector diagrams
for various power factors, shown in Fig. 38.14.
 Variation of Current with Excitation ( V Curves)

 Let us consider the phasor diagram of Fig. 8.38 (b)

for the motoring machine. At low excitation, Ia is
large and pf is low lagging at a given constant Pe =
Pm (load) say 1 pu. As the excitation is increased Ia
reduces and pf increases till at normal excitation Ia
is minimum and pf is unity.

 As the excitation is increased further Ia begins to

increases and pf becomes leading and begins to
reduce. The plot of Ia vs If at Pm = 1 pu exhibits a
V-curve nature as shown in Fig. 8.39(a).

 At lower values of Pm the plot has same V-curve

shape except that Ia (min) is smaller and occurs at
lower values of If as shown by the dotted curve
passing that Ia (min).
 Variation of Power Factor with Excitation ( Inverted V Curves)

 It is easily seen that pf vs If curves for fixed

Pm are inverse of Ia vs If plot. Thus these are
inverted V-Curves each having maximum
value of unity (pf) also shown in Fig.
8.39(b).
 The generator V-curves and inverted V-
curves can be found to have the same form
as for the motor except for reversal of
lagging and leading pf regions as shown in
Figs 8.39(a) and (b).
 Hunting and its Prevention
 When a synchronous motor is used for driving a varying load, then a condition
known as ‘Hunting’ is produced. Hunting may also be caused if supply
frequency is pulsating (as in the case of generators driven by reciprocating
internal combustion engines).

 We know that when a synchronous motor is loaded (such as punch presses,

shears, compressors and pumps etc.), its rotor falls back in phase by the load
angle α. As load is progressively increased, this angle also increases so as to
produce more torque for coping with the increased load. If now, there is sudden
decrease in the motor load, the motor is immediately pulled up or advanced to
a new value of α corresponding to the new load.

 But in this process, the rotor overshoots and hence is again pulled back. In this
way, the rotor starts oscillating (like a pendulum) about its new position of
equilibrium corresponding to the new load.
 Hunting and its Prevention
 The amplitude of these oscillations is built up to a large value and may
eventually become so great as to throw the machine out of synchronism. To
stop the build-up of these oscillations, dampers or damping grids (also known
as squirrel-cage winding) are employed.

 These dampers consist of short-circuited Cu bars embedded in the faces of the

field poles of the motor The oscillatory motion of the rotor sets up eddy
currents in the dampers which flow in such a way as to suppress these
oscillations. These short-circuited bars are known as damper winding or
ammortisseur winding. But it should be clearly understood that dampers do not
completely prevent hunting because their operation depends upon the
presence of some oscillatory motion. However, they serve the additional
purpose of making the synchronous motor self-starting.
 Synchronizing Power
 Consider Fig. 37.82 (c) where machine No. 1 is generating and supplying the
synchronizing power = E1ISY cos φ1 which is approximately equal to E1ISY ( φ1 is small).
Since φ1 = (90° − θ), synchronizing power = E1ISY cos φ1 = E1ISY cos (90°− θ) = E1 ISY, sin
θ ≅ E1ISY because θ ≅ 90° so that sin θ ≅ 1. This power output from machine No. 1 goes
to supply (a) power input to machine No. 2 (which is motoring) and (b) the Cu losses in
the local armature circuit of the two machines. Power input to machine No. 2 is E 2 ISY cos
φ2 which is approximately equal to E2 ISY.
Synchronizing Power
 Alternative Expression for Synchronizing Power
 As shown in Fig. 37.85, let V and E (or E0) be the terminal voltage and
induced e.m.f. per phase of the rotor. Then, taking V = V ∠ 0°, the load
current supplied by the alternator is

 These components represent the I cos φ and I sin φ respectively. The

power P converted internally is given be the sum of the product of
corresponding components of the current with E cos α and E sin α.
 Alternative Expression for Synchronizing Power

 Now, let, for some reason, angle α be changed to (α ± δ). Since V is held
rigidly constant, due to displacement ± δ, an additional e.m.f. of divergence
i.e. ISY = 2E. sin α/2 will be produced, which will set up an additional current
ISY given by ISY = ESY/ZS. The internal power will become

 The difference between P′ and P gives the synchronizing

power

 If δ is very small, then sin2 (δ/2) is zero, hence PSY per phase is
Alternative Expression for Synchronizing Power
 Synchronizing Torque
Let TSY be the synchronizing torque per phase in newton-metre (N-m)
a) When there are two alternators in parallel :

(b) Alternator connected to infinite bus-

bars

∴where NS = synchronous speed in r.p.m.

= 120 f/P
 Synchronous Condenser
 It has been seen above that a synchronous motor under over-excited condition
operates at a leading power factor. Synchronous motors are therefore
employed in large power installation for overall high power factor of the
installation. At no-load with losses assumed negligible, a synchronous motor
operates at δ = 0,which means that Ef and Vt are in phase. It is seen from the
phasor diagram of Figs (a) and (b), that the machine (motor) draws zero power
factor leading current and draws zero power factor lagging current

and draws zero power factor lagging current

 Synchronous Condenser
 Thus a synchronous motor at no-load behaves as a variable condenser or
inductor by simply varying its excitation. The machine operated under such a
condition (motor on no-load or light load) is known as a synchronous condenser
and finds application in large integrated power systems for improving the
power factor under heavy-load conditions and for deproving the power factor
under light-load conditions, thereby controlling the voltage profile of the power
system within reasonable limits.
 Dual-purpose Synchronous Motor: Synchronous motor is used in an
industry/factory for serving two purposes. It drives a constant speed
mechanical load such as a large pump, a dc generator, etc. and at the same
time it also corrects an otherwise low lagging pf of the electrical load such as
induction motors and fluorescent tubes. Such a synchronous motor serving
dual-purpose is called dual-purpose synchronous motor.
 Efficiency of Synchronous Machines
1) OC Test
 As it is no load test, the open circuit loss POC comprises two losses.

 (i) Core loss, P(core, OC) (ii) windage and friction loss, Pwf. P(core, OC) is
proportional to square of VOC and Pwf is constant (machine speed is
synchronous).
 Pwf gets separately out during OC test by reducing the field current to zero,
thereby making P(core) = 0. It is to be noted that there is no armature ohmic
loss in OC test.
2) SC Test
 As the test is conduced at very much reduced field current and so P(core) is
negligible. The components of the PSC loss are
 1. Armature copper loss I2aRa (dc, hot) 2. Stray load loss, Pst comprising stray
core and armature teeth loss caused by leakage flux and stray copper loss 3.
Windage and friction loss.
 Pst =PSC(Load)-Ia2Ra (dc, hot)

Ra(dc) can be measured by a battery test and corrected for a temperature of

75°C. Synchronous machine losses from OC and SC tests as separated out
above are
P (core, OC)

Pwf constant

Loss Measurement

 OC and SC loss measurement can be carried out by measuring the mechanical

input to the synchronous generator during the tests. For this purpose, the
generator is run at synchronous speed by a dynamometer dc motor wherein
the stator is free to rotate but is prevented by spring balances from the
readings of which mechanical power input can be computed. The other
convenient and accurate method is the torque meter which measures the
prime mover shaft torque calibrated in torque units.
 Where such facilities are not available, a dc shunt motor of rating somewhat
more than estimated machine losses. Before coupling the dc motor to the
synchronous machine the Swinburne’s test is performed on it at synchronous
speed to determine the rotational loss of the motor and also its armature
resistances is measured. The dc motor is now-coupled to the synchronous
generator and the set driven at synchronous speed. The motor terminal
voltage and armature current is measured during the test. The OC/SC loss is
found as

VtIa – I2a Ra – Prot = POC/PSC

 Comparison of Synchronous Motor With Induction
Motor
1. For a given frequency, the synchronous motor runs at a constant average speed whatever the
load, while the speed of an induction motor falls somewhat with increase in load.

2. The synchronous motor can be operated over a wide range of power factors, both lagging and
leading, but induction motor always runs with a lagging p.f. which may become very low at light
loads.

3. A synchronous motor is inherently not self-starting.

4. The changes in applied voltage do not affect synchronous motor torque as much as they
affect the induction motor torque. The breakdown torque of a synchronous motor varies
approximately as the first power of applied voltage whereas that of an induction motor depends
on the square of this voltage.

5. A d.c. excitation is required by synchronous motor but not by induction motor.

6. Synchronous motors are usually more costly and complicated than induction motors, but they
are particularly attractive for low-speed drives (below 300 r.p.m.) because their power factor
can always be adjusted to 1.0 and their efficiency is high. However, induction motors are
excellent for speeds above 600 r.p.m.
 Synchronous Motor Applications

Synchronous motors find extensive application for the following classes of

service :

1. Power factor correction

2. Constant-speed, constant-load drives

3. Voltage regulation
 Synchronous Motor Applications
Synchronous motors find extensive application for the following classes of service :

1. Power factor correction

2. Constant-speed, constant-load drives

3. Voltage regulation

(a) Power factor correction Overexcited synchronous motors having leading power factor
are widely used for improving power factor of those power systems which employ a large
number of induction motors (Fig. 38.49) and other devices having lagging p.f. such as
welders and flourescent lights etc.

(b) Constant-speed applications Because of their high efficiency and high-speed,

synchronous motors (above 600 r.p.m.) are well-suited for loads where constant speed is
required such as centrifugal pumps, belt-driven reciprocating compressors, blowers, line
shafts, rubber and paper mills etc. Low-speed synchronous motors (below 600 r.p.m.) are
used for drives such as centrifugal and screw-type pumps, ball and tube mills, vacuum
pumps, chippers and metal rolling mills etc.
 Synchronous Motor Applications
(c) Voltage regulation The voltage at the end of a long transmission line varies greatly
especially when large inductive loads are present. When an inductive load is disconnected
suddenly, voltage tends to rise considerably above its normal value because of the line
capacitance. By installing a synchronous motor with a field regulator (for varying its
excitation), this voltage rise can be controlled. When line voltage decreases due to
inductive load, motor excitation is increased, thereby raising its p.f. which compensates for
the line drop. If, on the other hand, line voltage rises due to line capacitive effect, motor
excitation is decreased, thereby making its p.f. lagging which helps to maintain the line
voltage at its normal value.