Industrial A C Machines 22523 Success is in your DNA

Unit No 04
Synchronous Motors
Teaching hours: 12 Marks: 12: 02 R, 04 U, 06 A

Unit Unit Outcomes (UOs) Topics and Sub Topics

Three 3a. Explain with sketch working of given type of 4.1 Principle of working /operation, significance of load angle.
Phase synchronous motor 4.2 Torques: starting torque, running torque, pull in, pull out
Alternator 3b. Explain with sketch construction of the given type of torque. Synchronous motor on load with constant excitation
synchronous motor 4.3 Effect of excitation at constant load (numerical).
3c. Explain the effect of excitation variation for the 4.4 V-Curves and Inverted V-Curves.
given load condition 4.5 Hunting and Phase swinging.
3d. suggest suitable synchronous motor for the given 4.6 Methods of Starting of Synchronous Motor.
application 4.7 Losses in synchronous motors and efficiency
3e. Describe the procedure to maintain the given type of 4.8 Applications areas of synchronous motors
synchronous motor

Course Outcome: Use suitable synchronous motor for different application

INTRODUCTION

a) A synchronous motor is electrically identical with an alternator or ac generator.

b) In fact, a given synchronous machine may be used, at least theoretically, as an alternator, when driven
mechanically or as a motor, when driven electrically, just as in the case of dc machines.
c) Most synchronous motors are rated between 150 kW and 15 MW and run at speeds ranging from 150
to 1800 rpm.

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF A SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR

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; ).

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.

WORKING PRINCIPLE OF SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR / OPERATION

The stator and the rotor are the two main parts of the synchronous motor. The stator is the stationary part of the
motor and the rotor is their rotating part. The stator is excited by the three-phase supply, and the rotor is excited
by the DC supply.

When a 3 phase supply is given to 3-φ winding of stator a magnetic flux of constant magnitude but rotating at
synchronous speed, is produced.

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The three-phase supply induces the north and south poles on the stator. The three-phase supply is sinusoidal.
The polarity (positive and negative) of their wave changes after every half cycle and because of this reason, the
north and South Pole also varies.

The speed at which the rotating magnetic field rotates is known as the synchronous speed. The synchronous
speed of the motor depends on the frequency of the supply and the number of poles of the motor.

The magnetic field develops on the rotor because of the DC supply. The polarity of the DC supply becomes
fixed, and thus the stationary magnetic field develops on the rotor. The term stationary means their north and
South Pole remains fixed.

When the opposite pole of the stator and rotor face each other, the force of attraction occurs between them. The
attraction force develops the torque in the anti-clockwise direction. The torque is the kind of force that moves
the object in rotation. Thus, the poles of the rotor dragged towards the poles of the stator.

After every half cycle, the pole on the stator is reversed. The position of the rotor remains the same because of
the inertia. When the like pole of the stator and rotor face each other, the force of repulsion occurs between them
and the torque develops in the clockwise direction.

Let understand this with the help of the diagram. For simplicity, consider the motor has two poles. In the below
figure (a), the opposite pole of stator and rotor face each other. So the attraction force develops between them.

Figure (a) Figure (b) Figure (c)

After the half cycle, as shown in figure (b) the poles on the stator reverse. The same pole of the stator and rotor
face each other, and the force of repulsion develops between them.

The non-unidirectional torque pulsates the rotor only in one place and because of this reason the synchronous
motor is not self-starting.

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For starting the motor, the rotor is rotated by some external means. Thus, the polarity of the rotor also changed
along with the stator. The pole of the stator and rotor interlock each other and the unidirectional torque induces
in the motor. The rotor starts rotating at the speed of the rotating magnetic field, or we can say at synchronous
speed.

The speed of the motor is fixed, and the motor continuously rotates at the synchronous speed.

SIGNIFICANCE OF LOAD ANGLE

To understand the load angle we should understand the behaviour of synchronous machine under loading
condition. As we studied that the DC motor and induction motor adjust themselves to a changing load by
affecting an automatic change in their speeds.

For example in case of DC shunt motor whenever load on motor increases its speed automatically decreases
(because under loading condition motor develops less power than is demanded by the load).

( )
This decreases the back emf and hence there is corresponding increase in armature current ( which

increases the torque ( ) and this increased torque meets the demand of increased load.

Here in case of synchronous motor speed does not change because it runs on synchronous speed at all times. As
the load on the motor is increased, the rotor progressively tends to fall back in phase (but not in speed as in DC
motors) by some angle. This angle is called as load angle. The value of this load angle or coupling angle (as it is
called) depends on the amount of load to be met by the motor. In other words, the torque developed by the
motor depends on this angle, say, α.

SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR ON LOAD WITH CONSTANT EXCITATION

Figure (1) Figure (2) Figure (3)

As that of DC generator, in a synchronous machine also a back EMF 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 D C motors).

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

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

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Figure (1) shows the condition when the motor (properly synchronized to the supply) is running on no-load and
has no losses and is having field excitation which makes .

It is seen that vector difference of and V is zero and so 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 falls back (vectors are rotating anti-clockwise) by
a certain small angle α (Figure 2), so that a resultant voltage and hence current is brought into existence,
which supplies losses.

The current lags behind the resultant voltage by an angle

(Note: Magnitude of does not change, only its phase changes. Its magnitude will change only when rotor dc
excitation is changed i.e., when magnetic strength of rotor poles is changed.)

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 (corresponding to the twist in the shaft of the pulleys). The resultant voltage
is increased and motor draws an increased armature current (Figure 3), though at a slightly decreased power
factor.

Power Flow within a Synchronous Motor

Let;

Then,

The angle θ (known as internal angle) by which lags behind is given by

If is negligible,

Motor input

Here, V is applied voltage / phase.

Total input for a star-connected, 3-phase machine is, √

The mechanical power developed in the rotor is

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( )

Out of this power developed, some would go to meet iron and friction 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 , and amount is wasted in armature, the rest ( − )
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

Or mechanical power in rotor

For three phases, √

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

Q) A 400 V, 50 Hz, 3phase, 37.5 kW, star connected synchronous motor has a F. L. efficiency of 85%. The
synchronous impedance of the motor is (0.2+j1.6) ohm / ph. If the excitation of motor is adjusted to give a
leading power factor of 0.9, calculate the following for full load. i) The excitation emf ii) The total mechanical
power developed. S 23

Data Given:

Supply Line voltage = 400V; Output rated power = 37.5 kW = 37500W; Full-load efficiency = 85%
= 0.85

Synchronous Impedance per phase ( ) ( )

Power factor cos = 0.9 lead Phase angle =

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Supply Phase voltage

√ √

Full-load efficiency

Therefore, Electrical Input Power

Full load current I =

√ √

Impedance drop per phase

Referring to phasor diagram,

Internal angle ( ) ( )

a) Excitation EMF per phase,

√ ( ) √ ( )

E = 288.42 V; therefore, Excitation emf (line value) = =√

b) Total Mechanical power developed:

Total Copper loss = ( ) ( )

Total Mechanical power developed = Power input, Pin – Total Copper loss

EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF A SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR

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Figure (a) shows the equivalent circuit model for one armature phase of a cylindrical rotor synchronous motor.

It is seen from figure (b) that the phase applied voltage V is the vector sum of reversed back emf i.e., and
the impedance drop . In other words, V = (− + ). The angle α between the phasor for V and is
called the load angle or power angle of the synchronous motor.

POWER DEVELOPED BY A SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR

Except for very small machines, the armature resistance of a synchronous motor is negligible as compared to its
synchronous reactance. Hence, the equivalent circuit for the motor becomes as shown in figure below (a). From
the phasor diagram of figure (b), it is seen that

Dividing both sides by we get

Now, motor power input / phase

So the total input of three phases is ( )

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.

Q) A 75-kW3 phase star connected, 50-Hz, 440-V cylindrical rotor synchronous motor operates at rated
condition with 0.8 pf leading. The motor efficiency excluding field and stator losses, is 95% and = 2.5 Ω.
Calculate (i) mechanical power developed (ii) armature current (iii) back emf (iv) power angle and (v)
maximum or pull-out torque of the motor.

Solution:

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= 120 × 50 / 4 = 1500 rpm = 25 rps

(i) Pm = Pin = Pout / η = 75 × 103/0.95 = 78,950 W

(ii) Since power input is known

√ × 440 × Ia × 0.8 =78,950; Ia = 129 A

(iii) Applied voltage/phase = 440/ 3 = 254 V. Let V = 254 0º as shown in figure below

Now, V = Eb + j IXS or Eb = V − j Ia XS = 254 0º − 129 36.9º × 2.5 90º

= 250 0º − 322 126.9º

= 254 − 322 (cos126.9º + j sin 126.9º)

126.9º + j sin 126.9º) = 254 − 322 (− 0.6 + j 0.8) = 516 −30º

(iv) α = −30º

(v) pull-out torque occurs when α = 90º

Maximum

pull-out torque= 9.55 × 157, 275/1500 = 1,000 N-m

EFFECT OF EXCITATION AT CONSTANT LOAD

Q) Explain the effect of variable excitation on the behavior of synchronous motor under constant load condition.
W 19

Effect of Variable Excitation on the Behavior of Synchronous Motor under Constant Load Condition:

Consider a synchronous motor having a fixed supply voltage V and driving a constant mechanical load. Since
the mechanical load is constant, the load angle remains constant. Now when excitation is changed, the back
emf Eb changes but there is hardly any change in the losses of the motor. Therefore, constant load demands
constant output power and consequently the input power of motor

(= 3 cos ) remains same. Since the applied voltage V to the motor is constant, the constant input demands
constant ( cos ). This means that the inphase component ( cos ) drawn from the supply will remain

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constant. In synchronous motor, the stator current (Ia) is determined by dividing resultant voltage-phasor ( )
by the synchronous impedance Zs. If the field excitation is changed, back emf also changes. This results in
the change of phase position of resultant voltage and current Ia with respect to V for different values of field
excitation.

Normal Excitation:

When the excitation is adjusted in such a way that the magnitude of induced emf is equal to the applied voltage
( ), the excitation is called normal excitation. The motor draws certain current from the supply and the
power factor is usually lagging, as shown in figure (a).

Under Excitation:

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When the excitation is adjusted in such a way that the magnitude of induced emf is less than the applied voltage
( ), the excitation is called under excitation.

Due to this, increases in magnitude. This means for constant Zs, current drawn by the motor increases. But
phase shifts in such a way that, phasor also shifts to keep ( cos ) component constant. This is shown in
the figure(b).

So in “under excited” condition current drawn by the motor increases. The pf cos decreases and becomes more
and more lagging in nature.

Over Excitation:

The excitation to the field winding for which the induced e.m.f. becomes greater than applied voltage ( > V),
is called over excitation.

Due to increased magnitude of , also increases in magnitude. But the phase of and Ia also changes. The
Ia increases to keep ( cos ) constant as shown in figure(c). The phase of changes so that Ia becomes
leading with respect to V in over excited condition. So power factor of the motor becomes leading in nature.

Critical Excitation:

When the excitation is adjusted in such a way that the power factor of the motor becomes unity, the excitation is
called critical excitation. The motor draws minimum current Ia from the supply and the power factor is unity, as
shown in figure (d).

V-CURVES AND INVERTED V-CURVES

Q) Draw and explain „V‟ and „inverted V curves‟ for synchronous motor. W 19

‘V curves’ and ‘inverted V curves’ for Synchronous Motor:

V CURVE:

V curve is a plot of the stator current versus field current for different constant loads.

The graph is plotted between the armature current Ia and field current If at no load. This curve is known as V
curve because the shape of this curve is similar to the letter “V”.

For higher values of field current the power factor is leading whereas for lower values of field current the power
factor is lagging.

Similar curves are plotted for various constant loading conditions. When such number of V-curves is plotted, the
unity power factor line is locus of minimum armature current.

The family of curves for different loads is as shown below:

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INVERTED V CURVE:

When the power factor is plotted against field current for any constant load the shape of the graph looks like an
inverted ‘V’.

Such curves obtained by plotting pf against field current at various constant load conditions, are called Inverted
V curves of synchronous motor. The highest point on each of these curves indicates unity power factor.

HUNTING AND PHASE SWINGING

Q) Explain with suitable diagram the phenomenon of hunting. State causes and effect of hunting in 3 phase
synchronous motor. S 23

Concept of Hunting and phase swinging in synchronous motor:

• The phenomenon of oscillation of the rotor of a synchronous motor about its final steady state position is
known as hunting. Since during the rotor oscillations, the phase of emf phasor (E) varies with respect to the
phasor V, the hunting is also known phase swinging.
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• Hunting means momentary fluctuations in the rotor speed of a synchronous motor.

In a synchronous motor, when the electromagnetic torque developed is equal and opposite to the load torque,
such a condition is known as "condition of equilibrium" or "steady state condition".

• In the steady-state, the rotor of the synchronous motor runs at synchronous speed, thereby maintaining a
constant value of torque angle (δ). If there is a sudden change in the load torque, then the equilibrium of the
motor is disturbed and there is a difference between the electromagnetic torque ( ) and load torque ( ) which
changes the speed of the motor.

• The electromagnetic torque of synchronous motor is given by,

• When the load on synchronous motor is suddenly increased, the motor retardation (backward movement of
rotor) starts. During backward movement of rotor, the torque angle (δ) is increased; hence the electromagnetic
torque increases opposing the backward movement of rotor.

• Due to this, the backward movement of rotor stops and the rotor reaches to synchronous speed.

• At this state, the torque angle (δ) is greater than the new required value (δ)' for the new steady state condition.
As a result, the motor is accelerated.

• Consequently, the torque angle (δ) decreases due to the acceleration of the rotor above synchronous speed. At
the point where the electromagnetic torque becomes equal to the load torque, the steady-state condition is not
restored, because at this point the speed of the rotor is more than the synchronous speed.

• Therefore, the rotor continues to move forward and the torque angle goes on decreasing.

• When the torque angle (δ) becomes less than the new required value (δ)', the load torque becomes greater than
the electromagnetic torque.

• Therefore, the motor starts to slow down. The torque angle (δ) is increased again. Hence, the rotor oscillates
around the synchronous speed and the new required value (δ)'of the torque angle before reaching the new state
of equilibrium.

CAUSES OF HUNTING:

Following may be the reasons of hunting in a synchronous motor −

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• Sudden changes of the mechanical load on the motor.

• Sudden changes in the field current.

• Cyclic variations of the load torque.

• Faults occurring in the power system to which the motor is connected.

EFFECTS OF HUNTING

The effects of hunting in a synchronous machine are given below −

• It may lead to loss of synchronism.

• Hunting increases the probability of resonance. When the frequency of the torque component becomes equal to
that of the oscillations of the synchronous machine, resonance may take place.

• Large mechanical stresses may develop in the rotor shaft of the synchronous machine.

• Hunting increases the losses of the machine.

• It increases temperature of the synchronous machine.

• It can disturb the supply system to which the synchronous machine is connected.

Q) List different torques in synchronous motor W 19

Different Torques in Synchronous Motor:

1) Starting torque

2) Running torque

3) Pull-in torque

4) Pull-out torque

METHODS OF STARTING OF SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR

Q) List different starting methods of three phase synchronous motor. Explain any one of them. W 19

Different Starting Methods of Three Phase Synchronous Motor:

As synchronous motor is not self-starting, different methods of starting are as follows:

1) By using an Induction (Pony) motor

2) By using a DC Machine / Source

3) By using Damper windings

1) By using an Induction (Pony) motor:

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A small induction motor (pony motor) is directly coupled with the synchronous motor. The number of poles of
the induction motor should be less than the synchronous motor. First supply is given to the pony motor, when it
rotates the rotor of the synchronous motor near to the synchronous speed, the main switch and DC switch of
synchronous motor are closed. The rotor poles of synchronous motor are pulled into synchronism. After that,
supply to the pony motor is disconnected and it can be de-coupled from the synchronous motor shaft.

2) BY USING A DC MACHINE / SOURCE:

A DC machine is coupled to the synchronous motor. The DC machine works like a DC motor initially and
brings the synchronous motor near to synchronous speed. The main switch and DC switch of synchronous motor
are closed. The rotor poles of synchronous motor are pulled into synchronism. Once it is achieved, the DC
machine can be operated like a DC generator and DC power generated can be supplied to the rotor of the
synchronous motor.

3) BY USING DAMPER WINDINGS:

In this method, the motor is first started as an induction motor and then starts running as a synchronous motor
after achieving synchronous speed. For this, damper windings are used. Damper windings are additional
windings consisting of copper bars placed in the slots in the pole faces. The ends of the copper bars are short-
circuited. These windings behave as the rotor of an induction motor.

When 3 phase power is supplied to the motor, the motor starts running as an induction motor at a speed below
synchronous speed. After some time DC supply is given to the field winding. The rotor gets pulled into
synchronism and starts running at constant speed as a synchronous motor.

Q) State any two functions of damper winding in a synchronous motor. S 23

Functions of damper winding in a synchronous motor:

1) Damper windings help the synchronous motor to start on its own (self-starting machine) by providing starting
torque

2) Damper windings helps to suppress the hunting of machine (to and fro oscillations of rotor during running
when load is suddenly changed).

Q) State why synchronous motor is not self-starting. List the methods generally used to start synchronous motor.

Working of Synchronous motor:

1) When 3-phase supply is given to 3-phase stator winding, 3-phase currents flow and Rotating magnetic field
(RMF) is produced in the air-gap between stator and rotor. Rotating magnetic poles are created in stator core.

2) When DC supply is given to the field winding on rotor, magnetic poles are created on rotor.

3) Opposite magnetic poles on stator and rotor get locked due to force of attraction and rotor rotates with same
speed as that of rotating magnetic field produced by stator i.e synchronous speed.

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4) As soon as 3-ph supply is given to stator winding, immediately stator magnetic field starts rotating at
synchronous speed. Every time stator pole sweeps over rotor poles, rotor pole experiences pull and push. So
rotor poles cannot pick up speed.

Thus motor is NOT SELF-STARTING.

5) In fact, rotor is rotated by some means near to synchronous speed and then field winding is excited, so that
rotor is pulled into synchronism and further rotates at constant synchronous speed.

Different Starting Methods of Three Phase Synchronous Motor:

As synchronous motor is not self-starting, different methods of starting are as follows:

1) By using an Induction (Pony) motor

2) By using a DC Machine / Source

3) By using Damper windings

Q) Define -
(i) Pull in Torque
(ii) Pull out Torque in case of synchronous motor W 22

PULL IN TORQUE:
The maximum torque produced at rated voltage and frequency due to which a synchronous motor will pull a
connected load into synchronism when the DC excitation is applied to the motor, is known as pull-in torque.

PULL OUT TORQUE:

The maximum value of load torque which a synchronous motor can develop at rated voltage and frequency
without losing synchronism is called as pull-out torque or breakdown torque.

LOSSES IN SYNCHRONOUS MOTORS

Losses which occurs in a synchronous machine (either an alternator or a synchronous motor ) are same as those
in a d.c machine. These losses are listed below:

(i) Copper Losses: These include the following:

(a) Copper loss in the armature windings = 3 watts, where is the armature current (in amperes) per phase
and is the effective resistance (in ohms) of the armature per phase
(b) Copper loss in the field winding = watts, where is the field current (in amperes) and is the
resistance (in ohms) of the field winding.
(c) Copper loss at the contact between brushes and slip-rings.
(ii) Iron Losses: These losses comprise of the following
(a) Hysteresis loss (in watts) in the armature core.

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(b) Eddy current loss (in watts) in the armature core and pole shoes.
(iii) Friction and Windage Losses: These mainly include:
(a) Frictional loss (in watts) in bearing and the loss (in watts) due to brush fiction at the slip-rings.
(b) Windage loss (in watts).
(c) Loss (in watts) due to the circulation of cooling air through a closed ventilation system.
(iv) Stray-Load Losses: These include:
(a) Loss (in watts) cause by eddy currents in the armature conductors.
(b) Additional core loss (in watts) due to the distortion of the magnetic field under load conditions.

EEFICIENCY OF SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR

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 and other devices having lagging pf
such as welders and fluorescent lights etc.

(B) CONSTANT-SPEED APPLICATIONS

Because of their high efficiency and high-speed, synchronous motors 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 rpm) are used for drives such as centrifugal and screw-type pumps,
ball and tube mills, vacuum pumps, chippers and metal rolling mills etc.

(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 pf which
compensates for the line drop. If, on the other hand, line voltage rises due to line capacitive effect, motor

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excitation is decreased, thereby making its p.f. lagging which helps to maintain the line voltage at its normal
value.
COMPARISON BETWEEN SYNCHRONOUS AND INDUCTION MOTORS
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 dc 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 rpm) 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 rpm.
7. Synchronous motors can be run at ultra-low speeds by using high power electronic converters which generate
very low frequencies. Such motors of 10 MW range are used for driving crushers, rotary kilns and variable-
speed ball mills etc.

METHODS OF STARTING
Almost all synchronous motors are equipped with dampers or squirrel cage windings consisting of Cu bars
embedded in the pole-shoes and short-circuited at both ends. Such a motor starts readily, acting as an induction
motor during the starting period. The procedure is as follows:
The line voltage is applied to the armature (stator) terminals and the field circuit is left unexcited.
Motor starts as an induction motor and while it reaches nearly 95% of its synchronous speed, the dc field is
excited. At that moment the stator and rotor poles get engaged or interlocked with each other and hence pull the
motor into synchronism.
However, two points should be noted;
1) At the beginning, when voltage is applied, the rotor is stationary. The rotating field of the stator winding
induces a very large emf in the rotor during the starting period, though the value of this emf goes on decreasing
as the rotor gathers speed.
Normally, the field windings are meant for
110-V (or 250 V for large machines) but
during starting period there are many
thousands of volts induced in them. Hence,
the rotor windings have to be highly
insulated for withstanding such voltages.
2) When full line voltage is switched on to
the armature at rest, a very large current,

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usually 5 to 7 times and the full-load armature current is drawn by the motor. In some cases, this may not be
objectionable but where it is, the applied voltage at starting is reduced by using autotransformers (Fig. 38.58).
However, the voltage should not be reduced to a very low value because the starting torque of an induction
motor varies approximately as the square of the applied voltage. Usually, a value of 50% to 80% of the full-line
voltage is satisfactory.
Auto-transformer connections are shown in figure above for reducing the supply voltage; the switches are
closed and are kept open. When the motor has been speeded-up, are closed and S1 opened to cut out the
transformers.

PROCEDURE FOR STARTING A SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR

While starting a modern synchronous motor provided with damper windings, following procedure is adopted.
1. First, main field winding is short-circuited.
2. Reduced voltage with the help of auto-transformers is applied across stator terminals. The motor starts up.
3. When it reaches a steady speed (as judged by its sound), a weak dc excitation is applied by removing the short
- circuit on the main field winding. If excitation is sufficient, then the machine will be pulled into synchronism.
4. Full supply voltage is applied across stator terminals by cutting out the auto-transformers.
5. The motor may be operated at any desired power factor by changing the dc excitation.

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