Module V Synchronous Motors:

Principle of operation
In order to understand the principle of operation of a synchronous motor, assume that the armature
winding (laid out in the stator) of a 3-phase synchronous machine is connected to a suitable balanced
3-phase source and the field winding to a D.C source of rated voltage. The current flowing through the
field coils will set up stationary magnetic poles of alternate North and South. On the other hand, the 3-
phase currents flowing in the armature winding produce a rotating magnetic field rotating at
synchronous speed. In other words there will be moving North and South poles established in the
stator due to the 3-phase currents i.e at any location in the stator there will be a North pole at some
instant of time and it will become a South pole after a time period corresponding to half a cycle. (after
a time = 1/2f , where f = frequency of the supply). Assume that the stationary South pole in the rotor is
aligned with the North pole in the stator moving in clockwise direction at a particular instant of time,
as shown in Figure below. These two poles get attracted and try to maintain this alignment ( as per
lenz’s law) and hence the rotor pole tries to follow the stator pole as the conditions are suitable for the
production of torque in the clockwise direction. However, the rotor cannot move instantaneously due
to its mechanical inertia, and so it needs sometime to move. In the mean time, the stator pole would
quickly (a time duration corresponding to half a cycle) change its polarity and becomes a South pole.
So the force of attraction will no longer be present and instead the like poles experience a force of

Figure.59 Force of attraction between stator poles and rotor poles

- resulting in production of torque in clockwise direction

repulsion as shown in Figure below. In other words, the conditions are now suitable for the production
of torque in the anticlockwise direction. Even this condition will not last longer as the stator pole
Synchronous Machine

would again change to North pole after a time of 1/2f. Thus the rotor will experience an
alternating force which tries to move it clockwise and anticlockwise at twice the frequency of
the supply, i.e. at intervals corresponding to 1/2f seconds. As this duration is quite small
compared to the mechanical time constant of the rotor, the rotor cannot respond and move in any
direction. The rotor continues to be stationary only.
On the contrary if the rotor is brought to near synchronous speed by some external device say a
small motor mounted on the same shaft as that of the rotor, the rotor poles get locked to the
unlike poles in the stator and the rotor continues to run at the synchronous speed even if the
supply to the motor is disconnected. Thus the synchronous rotor cannot start rotating on its own
when the rotor and stator are supplied with rated voltage and frequency and hence the
synchronous motor has no starting torque. So, some special provision has to be made either
inside the machine or outside of the machine so that the rotor is brought to near about its
synchronous speed. At that time, if the armature is supplied with electrical power, the rotor can
pull into step and continue to run at its synchronous speed. Some of the commonly used
methods for starting synchronous rotor are described in the following paragraph.

Figure.60 Force of repulsion between stator poles and rotor

poles - resulting in production of torque in anticlockwise
direction

Methods of starting synchronous motor

Basically there are three methods that are used to start a synchronous motor:

• To reduce the speed of the rotating magnetic field of the stator to a low enough value that the
rotor can easily accelerate and lock in with it during one half-cycle of the rotating magnetic
field’s rotation. This is done by reducing the frequency of the applied electric power. This
method is usually followed in the case of inverter-fed synchronous motor operating under
variable speed drive applications.

• To use an external prime mover to accelerate the rotor of synchronous motor near to its
synchronous speed and then supply the rotor as well as stator. Of course care should be taken to
ensure that the directions of rotation of the rotor as well as that of the rotating magnetic field of
the stator are the same. This method is usually followed in the laboratory- the synchronous
machine is started as a generator and is then connected to the supply mains by following the
synchronization or paralleling procedure. Then the power supply to the prime mover is
disconnected so that the synchronous machine will continue to operate as a motor.
Synchronous Machine

• To use damper windings if these are provided in the machine. The damper windings are
provided in most of the large synchronous motors in order to nullify the oscillations of the rotor
whenever the synchronous machine is subjected to a periodically varying load.

Behavior of a synchronous motor

The behavior of a synchronous motor can be predicted by considering its equivalent circuit on
similar lines to that of a synchronous generator as described below.

Equivalent circuit model and phasor diagram of a synchronous motor

The equivalent-circuit model for one armature phase of a cylindrical rotor three phase
synchronous motor is shown in Figure below exactly similar to that of a synchronous generator
except that the current flows in to the armature from the supply. Applying Kirchhoff’s voltage
law to Figure below

Figure.61.

VT = IaRa + jIaXl + jIaXas + Ef

Combining reactances, Xs = Xl + Xas
VT = Ef + Ia(Ra + jXs)

or VT = Ef + IaZs
where:
Ra = armature resistance (/phase)
Xl = armature leakage reactance
(/phase) Xs = synchronous
reactance (/phase)
Zs = synchronous impedance
(/phase) VT = applied
voltage/phase (V)
Ia = armature current/phase(A)
Synchronous Machine

Figure.62. Phasor diagram corresponding to the equivalent-circuit model

A phasor diagram shown in Figure above, illustrates the method of determining the
counter EMF which is obtained from the phasor equation;
Ef = VT − IaZs
The phase angle δ between the terminal voltage VT and the excitation voltage Ef in Figure
above is usually termed the torque angle. The torque angle is also called the load angle or
power angle.

Effect of changes in load on, Ia, δ, and p. f. of synchronous motor:

The effects of changes in mechanical or shaft load on armature current, power angle, and power
factor can be seen from the phasor diagram shown in Figure below; As already stated, the
applied stator voltage, frequency, and field excitation are assumed, constant. The initial load
conditions, are represented by the thick lines. The effect of increasing the shaft load to twice its
initial value is represented by the light lines indicating the new steady state conditions. While
drawing the phasor diagrams to show new steady-state conditions, the line of action of the new
jIaXs phasor must be perpendicular to the new I a phasor. Furthermore, as shown in figure if the
excitation is not changed, increasing the shaft load causes the locus of the Ef phasor to follow a
circular arc, thereby increasing its phase angle with increasing shaft load. Note also that an
increase in shaft load is also accompanied by a decrease in Φi; resulting in an increase in power
factor.
As additional load is placed on the machine, the rotor continues to increase its angle of lag
relative to the rotating magnetic field, thereby increasing both the angle of lag of the counter
EMF phasor and the magnitude of the stator current. It is interesting to note that during all this
load variation, however, except for the duration of transient conditions whereby the rotor
assumes a new position in relation to the rotating magnetic field, the average speed of the
machine does not change. As the load is being increased, a final point is reached at which a
further increase in δ fails to cause a corresponding increase in motor torque, and the rotor pulls
out of synchronism. In fact as stated earlier, the rotor poles at this point, will fall behind the
stator poles such that they now come under the influence of like poles and the force of attraction
no longer exists. Thus, the point of maximum torque occurs at a power angle of approximately
90◦ for a cylindrical-rotor machine. This maximum value of torque that causes a synchronous
motor to pull out of synchronism is called the pull-out torque. In actual practice,
Synchronous Machine

the motor will never be operated at power angles close to 90 0 as armature current will be many
times its rated value at this load.

Figure.63

Effect of changes in excitation on the performance synchronous motor

Increasing the strength of the magnets will increase the magnetic attraction, and thereby cause
the rotor magnets to have a closer alignment with the corresponding opposite poles of the
rotating magnetic poles of the stator. This will obviously result in a smaller power angle. This
fact can also be seen from power angle equation. When the shaft load is assumed to be constant,
the steady-state value of Ef sinδ must also be constant. An increase in Ef will cause a transient
increase in Ef sinδ, and the rotor will accelerate. As the rotor changes its angular position, δ
decreases until Ef sinδ has the same steady-state value as before, at which time the rotor is again
operating at synchronous speed, as it should run only at the synchronous speed. This change in
angular position of the rotor magnets relative to the poles of rotating magnetic field of the stator
occurs in a fraction of a second. The effect of changes in field excitation on armature current,
power angle, and power factor of a synchronous motor operating with a constant shaft load,
from a constant voltage, constant frequency supply, is illustrated in figure below.

Ef1 sin δ1 = Ef2 sin δ 2 = Ef3 sin δ 3 = Ef sin δ

This is shown in Figure below, where the locus of the tip of the E f phasor is a straight line
parallel to the VT phasor. Similarly,
Ia1 cos Φi1 = Ia2 cos Φi2 = Ia3 cos Φi3 = Ia cos Φi

This is also shown in Figure below, where the locus of the tip of the I a phasor is a line
perpendicular to the phasor VT.
Note that increasing the excitation from E f1 to Ef3 caused the phase angle of the current phasor
with respect to the terminal voltage VT (and hence the power factor) to go from lagging to
leading. The value of field excitation that results in unity power factor is called normal
excitation. Excitation greater than normal is called over excitation, and excitation less than
normal is called under excitation.
Synchronous Machine

Further, as indicated in Figure, when operating in the overexcited mode, |E f | > |VT |. A
synchronous motor operating under over excited condition is called a synchronous condenser.

Figure.64. Phasor diagram showing effect of changes in field excitation on armature

current, power angle and power factor of a synchronous motor

V and inverted V curve of synchronous motor:

Graphs of armature current vs. field current of synchronous motors are called V curves and are
shown in Figure below for typical values of synchronous motor loads. The curves are related to
the phasor diagram shown in figure below, and illustrate the effect of the variation of field
excitation on armature current and power factor. It can be easily noted from these curves that an
increase in shaft loads require an increase in field excitation in order to maintain the power
factor at unity.
The points marked a, b, and c on the upper curve corresponds to the operating conditions of the
phasor diagrams shown. Note that for P = 0, the lagging power factor operation is electrically
equivalent to an inductor and the leading power factor operation is electrically equivalent to a
capacitor. Leading power factor operation with P = 0 is sometimes referred to as synchronous
condenser or synchronous capacitor operation. Typically, the synchronous machine V-curves
are provided by the manufacturer so that the user can determine the resulting operation under a
given set of conditions.
Synchronous Machine

Full load

50% load

No load

←Lag Lead →

pf

←Lag Lead →
If
Figure.65

Plots of power factor vs. field current of synchronous motors are called inverted V curves and
are shown in Figure above for different values of synchronous motor loads.
Synchronous Machine

Power Flow in Synchronous Motor:

The figure below gives the details regarding the power flow in synchronous motor.

where
Pin = Power input to the motor
Pscl = Power loss as stator
copper loss Pcore= Power loss
as core loss
Pgap= Power in the air gap
Pfcl = Power loss as field copper loss
Pfw= Power loss as friction and
windage loss Pstray = Power loss as
stray loss
Pshaft = Shaft output of the machine

Power input to a synchronous motor is given by P = 3V phIphcosΦ = √3VLILcosΦ. In stator as

per the diagram there will be core loss and copper losses taking place. The remaining power will
be converted to gross mechanical power.
Hence Pm= Power input to the motor – Total losses in stator.

Er
Eph

IaZs
Eph

δ( θ δ(
)
)Φ Vph
Ia

From the phasor diagram we can write Power input /phase P i =

VphIphcosΦ Mechanical power developed by the motor Pm= EbIa cos
∟ Eb & Ia
= EbIa
cos(δ – Φ) Assuming iron losses as negligible stator cu
losses = Pi - Pm
Power output /phase = Pm – (field cu loss + friction & windage loss +stray loss)
Synchronous Machine

Torque developed in Motor:

Mechanical power is given by Pm = 2πNsTg/60 where Ns is the synchronous speed and the Tg is
the gross torque developed.

Pm = 2πNs Tg /60
Hence Tg = 60 Pm/2πNs
Tg = 9.55 Pm/Ns N-m

Shaft output torque Tsh = 60 x Pout/2πNs

Tsh = 9.55 Pout/Ns N-m

Hunting and Damper Winding:

Hunting:
Sudden changes of load on synchronous motors may sometimes set up oscillations that are
superimposed upon the normal rotation, resulting in periodic variations of a very low frequency
in speed. This effect is known as hunting or phase-swinging. Occasionally, the trouble is
aggravated by the motor having a natural period of oscillation approximately equal to the
hunting period. When the synchronous motor phase-swings into the unstable region, the motor
may fall out of synchronism.

Damper winding:
The tendency of hunting can be minimized by the use of a damper winding. Damper windings
are placed in the pole faces. No emfs are induced in the damper bars and no current flows in the
damper winding, which is not operative. Whenever any irregularity takes place in the speed of
rotation, however, the polar flux moves from side to side of the pole, this movement causing the
flux to move backwards and forwards across the damper bars. Emfs are induced in the damper
bars forwards across the damper winding. These tend to damp out the superimposed oscillatory
motion by absorbing its energy. The damper winding, thus, has no effect upon the normal
average speed, it merely tends to damp out the oscillations in the speed, acting as a kind of
electrical flywheel. In the case of a three-phase synchronous motor the stator currents set up a
rotating mmf rotating at uniform speed and if the rotor is rotating at uniform speed, no emfs are
induced in the damper bars.

Synchronous Condenser:

An over excited synchronous motor operates at unity or leading power factor. Generally, in
large industrial plants the load power factor will be lagging. The specially designed synchronous
motor running at zero load, taking leading current, approximately equal to 90. When it is
connected in parallel with inductive loads to improve power factor, it is known as synchronous
condenser. Compared to static capacitor the power factor can improve easily by variation of
field excitation of motor. Phasor diagram of a synchronous condenser connected in parallel with
an inductive load is given below.
Synchronous Machine

Figure.66

Numerical Problems:

Ex.1 A 3 phase star connected synchronous motor is taking a current of 25 Amps from supply
while driving a certain load. Its resistance and synchronous reactances per phase are 0.2 and 2
respectively. Calculate the emf induced in the motor if it is operating at a power factor (i) 0.8
lagging (ii) 0.9 leading.

Soln: Ra = 0.2 , Xs = 2 Ia = 25 amps, Vph= 400/√3 = 230.94 volts

2 2
Zs = √ (Ra) + (Xs) = Ra + j Xs = 0.2 + j 2 = 2.001 ∟84.29
(i) 0.8 lagging
Ia = 25∟-36.86 amps
Eph

IaZs
Eph

δ( θ δ(
)
)Φ Vph
Ia

From the phasor diagram Eph = Vph – IaZs

= 230.94∟0 – 25 ∟-36.86 x 2.001 ∟84.29
= 230.94∟0 - 50.025∟47.43
= 200.51∟10.63 volts

(ii) Similarly for 0.9

leading Ia =
25∟25.84 amps
Eph = Vph – IaZs
230∟0 – 25∟25.84 x 2.001
∟84.29 252.57∟-10.72 volts
Synchronous Machine

Ex.2 A 4000 volts 50Hz, 4 pole star connected synchronous motor generates a back emf /phase
of 1800 volts. The resistance and synchronous reactance per phase are 2.2 and 22 respectively.
0
The torque angle is 30 electrical. Calculate (i) resultant stator voltage/phase (ii) stator
current/phase (iii) power factor (iv) gross torque developed by the motor.

Eph A
Er
IaZs
Eph

)θ 30(
Vph
o )Φ B
30(
Ia

Stator voltage/phase = 4000/√3 = 2309.4 volts Back emf /phase =1800

volts
(i) From the phasor diagram, using cosine rule
2 2 2
Er = Vph + Eph - 2 Vph Ephcosδ
2 2
= 2309.4 + 1800 – 2 x 2309.4 x 1800 x cos 30
= 1374578.79
Hence Er = 1172.42 volts
2 2
(ii) Zs = √ (Ra) + (Xs) = Ra + j Xs = 2.2 + j 22 =
22.11∟84.29 Hence Ia = Er/Zs = 1172.42/22.11 =
53.02 amps
(iii) Power factor
θ = 84.3 , form the triangle OAB ∟AOB = θ – Φ
tan (θ – Φ) = AB/OB = Ephsin30/( Vph - Ephcos30)
= 1800 sin30/(2309.4 – 1800cos30)
= 1.199
-1
θ – Φ = tan 1.199 = 50.17
0
hence Φ = 84.3 – 50.17 = 34.13
power factor = cos Φ = cos34.13 = 0.827
(iv)Motor input Pi = √3VLILcos Φ
= √3 x 4000 x 53.02 x 0.827
= 303784.67 watts
2 2
Stator cu loss = 3Ia Ra = 3 x 53.02 x 2.2 = 18553.39 watts
Mechanical power developed Pm = Pi – cu losses = 303784.67 – 18553.39
=285231.28 watts Synchronous speed = 120f/p = 1500rpm
Gross torque developed Tg = 9.55 Pm/Ns N-m
= 9.55 x 285231.28/1500
= 1815.97 N-m
Synchronous Machine

w
a
Ex.3. A 400 volts, 8 kW, 3 phase, 50Hz synchronous motor has negligible resistance and t
synchronous reactance of 8 per phase. Determine the minimum current and the t
s
corresponding induced emf for full load condition. Assume efficiency of the motor as
88%.( Aug2001)
Slon:
We have Stator voltage/phase = 400/√3 = 230.94 volts Xs = 8
Motor input = output/η = 8000/0.88 = 9091 watts
Motor input Pi = √3VLILcos Φ
ILcos Φ = Pi /√3VL = 9091 /(√3 x 400) = 13.12 amps.

Current is minimum when cos Φ =1

hence Imin = ILcos Φ = 13.12 amps

IZs = IXs = 13.12 x 8 = 105 volts

2 2
Hence Eb = √(230.94 + 105 ) = 253.7 volts

Ex.4. A 6 pole, 400 volts, 3 phase, 50 Hz star connected synchronous motor has a resistance and
synchronous impedance of 0.5 and 4 per phase respectively. It takes a current of 15 amps at unity
power factor when operating with a certain field current. If the load torque is increased until the line
current becomes 60 amps, the field current remaining unchanged, calculate the gross torque developed
B
and new power factor. ( Jan 2009)
Soln:
Stator voltage/phase = 400/√3 = 230.94 volts Er
2 2 2 2
Synchronous reactance Xs = √( Zs – Ra ) = √( 4 – 0.5 ) = 3.969
-1 -1 0
Internal angle θ = tan (Xs/Ra) = tan (3.969/0.5) = 82.8
Impedance drop Er = Ia x Zs = 60 volts θ
Consider the phasor diagram of the motor o
From the phasor diagram, using cosine rule
2 2 2
Eb = Vph + Er - 2 Vph Ercosθ
2 2
= 230.94 + 60 – 2 x 230.94 x 60 x cos 82.8
Eb = 231.21 volts
When the load on the motor is increased the load angle increases and the phasor diagram becomes as
A
shown B
Input current = 60 amps Eb

Supply voltage Vph = 230.94 volts Er Vp

Back emf = 231.21 volts
Impedance drop Er = Ia x Zs = 60 x 4 = 240 volts
From phasor diagram using cosine rule θ
2 2 2 o
Eb = Vph + Er - 2 Vph Ercosθ
231.212 = 230.942 + 2402 – 2 x 230.94 x 240 x cos ∟AOB Ia
Hence cos ∟AOB
= 0.5185 ∟AOB
-1
= cos 0.5185 =
0
58.7
-1 -
We have θ = tan (Xs/Ra) = tan
1 0
(3.969/0.5) = 82.8 Hence pf angle Φ
= 82.8 – 58. 7 = 24.1
New pf = cos24.1 = 0.913 lag
New Motor input = Pi = √3VLILcos Φ = √3 x 400 x 60 x 0.913
2 2
= 38000 watts Total cu loss = 3 Ia Ra = 3 x 60 x 0.5 = 5400
Total mechanical power developed = 38000 – 5400 = 32600 watts.
Synchronous speed Ns = 120f/p = 1000 rpm
Gross torque developed Tg = 9.55 Pm/Ns N-m
= 9.55 x 32600/1000
= 311.33 N-m

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