Chapter 4 : Synchronous Motor Drives. 4.

1- Introduction The speed of a synchronous motor can be controlled by varying frequency of its source. Due to non-availability of economical variable frequency sources, this method of speed control was not used in the past. Synchronous motors were mainly used in constant speed applications. The development of semiconductor variable frequency sources such as inverters and cyclo converters has allowed their use in variable speed applications such as high power and high-speed compressors, pumps and stone crushers. Medium and large size synchronous motors find application in paper and cement industry. Higher efficiency and inherent ability to correct power factor can make synchronous motors economically attractive in spite of higher capital cost. 4.2. Characteristics features of a synchronous motor. 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. 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. It is capable of being operated under a wide range of power factors, both lagging and leading. Hence it can be used for correction purposes, in addition to supplying torque to drive loads. 4.3 Adjustable speed synchronous motor drive. Speed of synchronous motors can be controlled by controlling the supply frequency. This method of speed control is known as the variable frequency method (or) adjustable frequency control. Similar to induction motors constant flux operation below base speed is achieved by operating the synchronous motor with constant (v/f) ratio. Once the rated voltage is reached at base speed the machine is operated at rated terminal voltage and variable frequency for higher speeds. The pull out torque is constant for constant flux operation, while it is found to decrease with the increase in frequency for higher speed. 4.4. Speed control modes of synchronous motor There are two control modes for synchronous machine drives. i. Open- loop (or) True synchronous (or) separate controlled mode ii. Self Synchronous mode (or) self-controlled mode. In open loop (or) True synchronous machine mode, the motor speed is controlled by the independent frequency control of the converter. In self control mode, the variable frequency converter control pulses are derived from an absolute rotor position encoder mounted on the motor shaft.

4.5. Open loop volts/ Hertz control

Fig 4.1 open loop volts/Hz speed control of multiple synchronous motors. An independent frequency control is the open loop volts/Hz speed control. This method of speed control is particularly popular in multiple synchronous reluctance or PM machine drives, where close speed tracking is essential among a number of machines for application such as fibre spinning mills, textile and paper mills. In figure 4.1 all the machines are connected in parallel to the same inverter so that they move in synchronism corresponding to the command frequency e* at the input. The phase voltage command Vs* is generated through a function generator (FG), where the voltage is essentially maintained proportional to the frequency so that the stator flux s remains constant. In this mode, the supply frequency is controlled from an independent oscillator. For a given frequency setting,the machine runs at a fixed speed, independent of variations in load, supply voltage and field current. Hence the speed can be controlled precisely in open-loop by controlling the frequency. When operating in steady state, a gradual increase in frequency causes the stator field speed to become greater than the rotor speed and the torque angle to increase. The motor accelerates to follow the changes (increase) in frequency. When the frequency reaches a new value, the machine settles down at a new speed after hunting oscillations, which are damped by the damper winding. On the other hand, a gradual decrease in frequency causes the stator field speed to become lower than the rotor speed. Consequently the torque angle becomes negative. The motor decelerates under regenerative braking following the decrease in frequency. When the

frequency reaches a new setting, the machine settles at a new speed after oscillations which are damped by the damper winding. It should be ensure that the frequency must be changed gradually to allow the rotor to track the changes in the revolving field speed, otherwise the motor may pull-out of step. The motor can also be started by increasing the frequency slowly from zero value. It draws much lower current and produce a much higher torque. As in the case of an induction motor the common control strategy is to operate the motor at a constant air-gap flux upto the base speed and at constant terminal voltage above the base speed. The air-gap flux depends on the value of the magnetizing current I m. Hence constant air gap flux operation below base speed is achieved by operating the motor with a constant (v/f) ratio. 4.6. Self control mode

Fig. 4.2 self controlled synchronous motors A synchronous machine is said to be self-controlled if it gets its operating frequency from an inverter whose thyristors are fired from a rotor position sensing unit. This unit measures the rotor position with respect to a stator reference and sends pulses to the thyristors. In this control, as the rotor speed changes, the stator supply frequency is also changed proportionally, so the stator field always moves at the same speed as the rotor. This ensures that the stator and rotor fields move in synchronism for all operating points. Consequently a self-controlled synchronous motor does not pullout of step and does not suffer from hunting oscillations and instability associated with a step change in torque or frequency when controlled from an independent oscillator. The accurate tracking of speed by frequency is realized with the help of a rotor position sensor. Fig.4.2 illustrates a sinusoidal PM machine with self control. The stator winding of the machine is fed by an inverter that generates a variable frequency variable voltage sinusoidal supply. But in this case instead of controlling the inverter frequency independently, the frequency and phase of the output wave are controlled by an absolute position sensor mounted on machine shaft, giving it self-control characteristics. Of course, the pulse train from the position sensor can be delayed by an external command. A self-controlled synchronous machine can be considered analogues to a dc motor except for the following differences. i. Unlike a dc machine, the field is rotating and the armature is stationary (often called an inside-out dc machine) ii. Unlike a mechanical position sensitive inverter, an electronic inverter that is controlled by an absolute position encoder. This dc machine analogy gives the self-controlled synchronous machine various names such as electronically commutated motor (ECM), brushless dc motor (BLDM)

or commutator less brushless motor. However, the commercial name of BLDM is restricted to the trapezoidal PM machine drive. Features An electronic commutator replaced the mechanical commutators and brushes, thus eliminating the disadvantages of the dc machine, such as maintenance and reliability problems, sparking limitations in speed and power rating, difficulty to operate in corrosive and explosive environments, EMI problem etc. Because of self-control, the machine does not show any stability or hunting problem of the traditional synchronous Machine. The transient response can be similar to a dc machine. With a high-energy magnet the rotor inertia can be made smaller, which is an advantage in a fast-response servo type drive. Because of so many favorable characteristics, synchronous machine drives almost exclusively use self-control. 4.7 Comparison between self & separately controlled synchronous Motor drive. Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. Separately control Hunting oscillations are present Damper winding is required Stator supply frequency is controlled from an independent oscillator Multiple no. Of machines can be controlled. Self control Hunting is eliminated No need of a damper winding No need of independent oscillator for frequency adjustment. Single machine is controlled.

4.8 - Power factor control Definition :In linear loads, power factor (P.F.) is defined as P.F. = cos Where is the phase angle between phase voltage and phase current of the load. Further for a three-phase load, Apparent power = 3VI Real power = 3 V I cos Reactive power = 3 VI sin Where V = phase voltage and I = phase current of the load, respectively. When a non-linear load is fed from a sinusoidal supply, current will consist of fundamental and harmonics. The power factor for a nonlinear load is defined as: PF = Real power/ Apparent power = 3 VI cos / 3.V. I rms = (cos ) x (I /I rms) = Displacement factor x Distortion factor Where V = fundamental component of source voltage and also rms value of source voltage as source is sinusoidal. I = fundamental component of load current, I rms = rms value of the load current and = phase angle between V and I. Displacement factor (or fundamental power factor) = cos Distortion factor = I/ I rms. In a non-linear load, good power factor is achieved when both displacement and distortion factors approach unity.

4.9 Drives operation on low power factor a. An induction motor direct on line b. Ac Dc diode rectifier and line commutated thyristor converter fed dc motor and variable frequency ac motor drives. c. Ac regulator fed induction motor drives. d. Induction motor drive with slip power recovery. 4.10. Benefits of improving PF A high power factor decreases the copper loss in transformers, distribution cables, transmissions line and other equipments, thus allowing considerable saving in energy consumptions. ii. It helps in stabilizing the system voltage. iii. It reduces the load on transmission and distribution equipment and transformer. Thus, it allows transmission of larger power and full utilization of substation and generating unit capabilities. iv. It avoids large penalty often imposed on low power factor consumers by the utilities. 4.11. Power factor control of synchronous motor drive. Syn.Motor A.C. Field rectifier Inverter i.

Power factor calculator Error detector controller - +

Phase control

Power factor commanded value

Fig. 4.3 Automatic closed loop adjustment of power factor Fig.4.3 Shows the block diagram of automatic closed-loop adjustment of power factor.The main aim of adjustment of power factor is the variation of the field current. This is possible in a wound field machine. If the motor is operated at a power factor of unity, the current drawn by it will have the lowest magnitude for a given power input and therefore the lowest internal copper losses. From this diagram, the motor voltage and current are sensed and fed to the power factor calculator. The power factor calculator computes the phase angle between the two and thereby the power factor. It is the actual power factor value. The computed power factor value is compared against the power factor commanded value by using error detector. The error is amplified by the error amplifier and its output varies the field current until PF confirm to the commanded value.

4.12. Marginal angle control in synchronous motor drives

Rectifier (or source side converter)

Inverter (or Machine side converter)

Fig. 4.4 Current source inverter feeding a synchronous motor Fig. 4.4. Shows a current source inverter feeding a synchronous motor. The dc supply for the inverter is obtained from a 6-pulse fully controlled rectifier, which together with the link inductor Ld can be considered to constitute a current source for the inverter. In addition the link inductor Ld reduces the ripple in the link current Id and prevents the inverter and rectifier from interfacing with each others operation.

Fig. 4.5. Motor terminal voltage of phase A In a converter, if the commutation is done by line voltages, then it is called line commutation. But if the voltage induced in the load are responsible for the commutation, it is defined as load commutation. The terminal voltage of phase A of the current source inverter fed synchronous motor is shown in figure 4.5. We Know,the commutation lead angle is given by, = 180 - __________(1) The marginal angle is given by, = ___________(2) and for safe commutation of thyristors of load commutated CSI, > tq ________(3) where tq is the turn off time of thyristors. The P.F. angle of the synchronous motor is given by, = 0.5 (leading) __________(4)

In a motoring operation, the power factor is maximum when is minimum or is maximum. Consequently the power transferred from the dc link to the machine for a given value of Id is maximized. This inturn maximizes the machine torque for a given Is. A minimum value of is obtained when the margin angle is chosen just sufficient ( min) to ensure safe commutation. From (3), we can write min = Kq tq _________(5) Where kq is a safety factor. Now the minimum value of is min = + min ____________(6) and maximum power factor, from (4) & (6) (PF)max = cos (min - 0.5) = cos (min + 0.5) ________ (7) we have, cos ( - ) cos = 2Lc Id / 6v _________ (8) from (8) and (4) cos ( + min) = cos min - 2LcId / 6v _________ (9) In equation (9), depends on speed, and V depends on speed and Im. The current Im inturn depends on Is and If. Constant margin angle control A number of approaches are possible for inverter control. Commonly used control strategy is the constant margin angle control. The operation of the inverter at a minimum safe value of the margin angle gives the highest power factor and the maximum torque per ampere of the stator current, thus allowing the most efficient use of both the inverter and motor. The exact implementation of this control strategy is not possible because the minimum value of the commutation lead angle cannot be accurately predicted. It is therefore implemented only approximately. Even then it requires complex control. 4.13. Classification of synchronous motor Commonly used synchronous motors are, i. Wound field motor. a. Cylindrical rotor wound field motor b. Salient pole rotor wound field motor ii. Permanent magnet motor iii. Synchronous reluctance motor iv. Hysteresis motor All the motor have a stator with a 3-phase winding, which is connected to an ac source. Here power synchronous reluctance and hysteresis motor employ a 1-phase stator. 4.14. Permanent magnet synchronous motor In this kind of motors, field excitation is obtained by mounting permanent magnets on the rotor. This eliminates dc source, losses associated with the field winding and frequent maintenance associated with slip rings and brushes in a wound field motor. But the power factor cannot be controlled because the field excitation cannot be changed. Permanent magnet motors are usually designed to operate at unity power factor at full load. The power developed by the motor is, Pm = 3VE / XS sin Torque, T = Pm / ms = 3VE/ XS ms sin

4.15 Types of permanent magnet synchronous motors. i. ii. Surface mounted Projecting type Inset type Interior or buried

Fig. 4.6 Different types of permanent magnet synchronous motors. Surface mounted PM motors are of two types : (1) projecting type, in which magnets project from the surface of rotor (Fig. 4.6 (a)), and (2) inset type, in which magnets are inserted into the rotor, providing a smooth rotor surface (Fig. 4.6 (b). These motors are easy to construct and are less expensive, they are less robust compared to interior type rotors and are not suitable for high-speed applications. In interior type PM motors, magnets are imbedded in the interior of the rotor (fig 4.6 (c)) Permanent magnet ac motors (PMAC) is the notational for permanent magnet synchronous motors. They are classified based on nature of voltage induced in the stator as, i. Sinusoidally excited ii. Trapezoidally excited.

In the former, induced voltage has a sinusoidal waveform and in the later induced voltage has trapezoidal waveform. These PMAC motors are commonly known as sinusoidal PMAC and trapezoidal PMAC motors. The speed of PM AC motors is controlled by feeding them from variable frequency voltage /current. They are operated in self-controlled mode. Rotor position sensors are employed for operation in self-control mode. Alternatively induced voltage can be used to achieve self-control. Different inverter/converter circuits for PMAC motors are drawn using power transistor. The current trend is to use MOSFET for low voltage and low power applications and IGBT for others. In the earlier days, self-controlled variable frequency drives employing a sinusoidal PMAC motor were also called brush less dc motor drives (BDCM). They are now simply called PMAC motor drives. The self-controlled variable frequency drives employing a trapezoidal PMAC motor are now called brush less dc motor drives or trapezoidal PMAC motor drives. 4.16 Brush less dc motor drives or Trapezoidal PMAC drives.

Fig. 4.7 cross section of a trapezoidal PMAC motor Fig 4.7 shows the cross section of a 3-phase, 2 pole trapezoidal PM AC motor. It has a permanent magnet rotor with wide pole arc. The stator has 3- concentrated phase windings, which are displaced by 120 and each phase winding spans 60 on each sided. When revolving in the counter clockwise direction, upto 120 rotation from the position shown in figure, all top conductors of phase A will be linking the south pole and all bottom conductors of phase A will be linking the north pole. Hence the voltage induced in phase A will be the same during 120 rotation. Beyond 120, some conductors in the top link North Pole and others the South Pole. Same happens with the bottom conductors. Hence, the voltage induced in phase A linearly reverses in next 60 rotation.

4.17 Speed control of brushless dc motor using Inverter.

Fig. 4.8 Speed control of brush less D.C Motor using inverter An inverter fed trapezoidal PMAC motor drive operating in self-controlled mode is called as brush less dc motor. A full wave brush less dc motor is fed from a 3-phase inverter (VSI) with feedback diodes is shown in figure 4.8. When the transistor is off, the winding current flows through feedback diodes and the energy stored in the winding inductance is returned to the source. Three Hall effect sensors (located at 120 electrical apart) and a magnet ring form a rotor position sensor. Magnet ring is mounted on the rotor shaft and therefore revolves with the rotor. Due to the movement of the magnet ring, Hall sensors generate 3-phase ac voltages shifted by 120 which is used to turn ON the transistors in the sequence of their numbers with a phase difference of 60 and each transistor is ON for 120. Each phase conducts twice in a cycle. Speed control i. The speed can be controlled by varying the dc input voltage, by connecting a chopper between the dc source and the inverter. ii. The speed can also be controlled by varying the input voltage or current of the motor by a suitable PWM technique, keeping the inverter dc input voltage constant.

Fig. 4.9 Induced voltage waveforms of a brushless dc motor.

Advantages 1. Require no maintenance (absence of commutators and brushes) 2. Long life, high reliability 3. Low inertia, thereby faster acceleration (run up to 30,000 rpm and higher are common) 4. Low friction 5. Armature windings are on the stator, so cooling is better Disadvantages 1. Higher cost 2. Low starting torque 3. Size is nearly the same as of a conventional dc motor. Applications Turntable drives is record players, tape drive for video recorders, spindle drives in hard disk drives for computers and low cost and low power drives in computer peripherals, instruments and control systems. 4.18 Points to ponder: Open loop or separate or true synchronous mode and self-controlled mode are the two different modes employed to achieve variable frequency control in a synchronous motor. Commonly used synchronous motors are wound field, permanent magnet, synchronous reluctance and hysteresis motor. Based on nature of voltage induced in the stator permanent magnet synchronous motor are classified as sinusoidally excited and Trapezoidally excited. Elimination of field copper loss, higher power density, lower rotor inertia and more robust construction of the rotor are the advantages of permanent magnet synchronous motor. In self-control mode, the machine can be looked upon as a dc motor having its commutator replaced by a converter connected to stator. The self controlled motor run has properties of a dc motor both under steady state and dynamic conditions and therefore, is called commutator less motor (CLM.) 4.19.(i) Solved Problems The synchronous motor of a self-controlled drive, fed from a load-commutated current source inverter, has the following name plate data.. 5MW,3-phase, 6600 V, 6-pole, 50Hz, Y- connected, unity power factor. The parameters are Xs = 10, sub transient reactance = 1.8, and negligible Rs, core loss, friction, and windage. The field is controlled to maintain a constant flux below base speed and the rated terminal voltage above base speed. The machine is operated at a constant commutation lead angle of 50. 1. Calculate the margin angle, power factor, developed power, and torque for machine operation at the rated armature current (rms) and speed. 2. Repeat 1, for a speed of 1600 rpm. 3. Calculate o for 1. 4. Calculate the dc link voltage for 1.

Solution: V = 6600/3 = 3810.5 V At the rated frequency, = 2 x 50 = 314 rad/sec. Rated speed = 120f/P rpm = 120 x 50 /6 = 1000 rpm = 104.7 rad/sec. Rated armature current = 5 x 106 / 3 x 6600 = 437.4A When fed from an inverter, for an rms motor current of 437.4 A, from equations, Id = 3/2 Irms = 3/2 x 437.4 = 536 A Is = 6/ Id = 6/ x 536 = 418 A 1. Since the machine is operating at a constant flux, at rated speed the terminal voltage will have the rated value. From equations, we have Cos - cos (50) = 2 x 1.8 /6 x 3810.5 x 536 Which gives = 32. Now = = 50 - 32 = 18 = 0.5 = 50 - 9 = 41 Power factor = cos 41 = 0.75 Developed power = 3VIs cos = 3 x 3810.5 x 418 x 0.75 = 3.58 MW Torque = 3.58 x 106 / 104.7 = 3.4 x 104 N-m 2. Above the rated speed, the machine operates at the rated terminal voltages; hence V = 3810.5 V, Lc = 1.6 x 1.8 = 2.88, Id = 536 A From equations, we have, cos cos 50 = 2 x 2.88 / 6 x 3810.5 = 536 Which gives = 13 = - = 50- 13= 37 = - 0.5= 50- 18.5 = 31.5 power factor = cos 31.5 = 0.85 Pm = 3VIs cos = 3 x 3810.5 x 418 x 0.85 = 4.06 MW T = 4.06 x 106 / 104.7 x 1.6 = 2.43 x 104 N-m 3. Im = V/Xs = 3810. 5 / 10 = 381 A We have, If2 = Im2 + Is2 2I mIs cos (90 + ) = 3812 + 4182 + 2 x 381 x 418 sin 41 or If = 727A Also, Sin / Is = sin (90 + ) / I1 Or = 25.7 now 1= + 90 + =25.7 + 90 + 41 = 156.7 and from equation 1o = 1 + 0.5= 156.7 + 9 = 165.7 4. = 180 - = 180 - 50 = 130 From equation, Vd = 36V/ cos - 3/ (LcId) Vd = 3 6/ x 3810.5 cos 130 - 3/ (1.8 x 536) = - 6650 V. 4.19.(ii) Solved Problems A 6 MW, 3-phase, 11 kV, Y- connected, 6-pole, 50 Hz, 0.9 (leading) power factor synchronous motor has Xs = 9 and Rs = 0, Rated field current is 50 A.

Machine is controlled by variable frequency control at constant (V/f) ratio up to the base speed and at constant V above base speed. Determine i. Torque and field current for the rated armature current, 750 rpm and 0.8 leading power factor. ii. Armature current and power factor for half the rated motor torque, 1500 rpm and rated field current. iii. Armature current and power factor for regenerative braking power output of 4.2 MVA at 750 rpm and rated field current. iv. Torque and field current for regenerative braking operation at rated armature current, 1500 rpm and unity power factor. Solution At rated operation 3VIs cos = Pm or 3 x 11000 / 3 Is x 0.9 = 6 x 106 or Is = 349.9A E = V Is ( jXs) = 6350.85 9 90 x 349.9 cos 1 o.9 = 7723.4 j2834.2 = 8227 -20.15 For operation at 750 rpm Frequency = 750 / 1000 x 50 = 37.5 Hz V = 11x1000/3 x 37.5 /50 = 4763 v Xs = 0.75 x 9 = 6.75 E = V Is (jXs) = 4763 349.9 cos-1 0.8 x 6.75 90 = 6180 j1889.2 = 6462.3 -17 At rated field current and 750 rpm E = 8227 x 750/1000 = 6170.25 V. Field current = 6462.3 /6170.25 x 50 = 52.37A Power input = 3VIs cos or Pm = 3 x 4763 x 349.9 cos 36.87 = 3999.6 kW Motor speed = 750/60 x 2 = 78.54 rad/sec Torque = 3999.6 x 103 / 78.54 = 50924.4 N-m (ii) At 1500 rpm Frequency = 1500/1000 x 50 = 75Hz Xs = 75/50 x 9 = 13.5 E at rated field current = 8227 x 75/50 = 12340. 5V V = rated voltage = 6350.85 V If ms and 'ms denote synchronous speeds at 1000 rpm and 1500 rpm respectively, power developed at 1500 rpm P'm = 0.5 Trated x 'ms = 0.5 Trated x 1.5 ms = 0.5 x 1.5 Pm where Pm is the rated power of the machine. Substituting its value P'm = 0.5 x 1.5 x 6 = 4.5 MW Since Pm = 3VE /X sin 4.5 x 106 = 3 x 6350.85x12340.5/13.5 sin or sin = 0.258 or = 14.98 Is = V-E/jXs = 6350.85 12340.5 -14.98/13.590 = 475.5 60.2 Is = 475.5A, power factor = cos60.2 = 0.5(leading) iii. At 750 rpm and rated field current (from part (i)) V = 4763 V,Xs = 6.75, E = 6170.25V Pm = 3VE/Xs sin or -4.2x106 = 3x4763 x 6170.25 / 6.75 sin or sin = -0.32 or = 18.757 Now Is = E-V/jXs = 6170.25 18.757 - 47630 / 6.75 90 =293.98 j159.92 = 334.66 -28.55

Thus Is = 334.66 A Power factor = cos (-28.55) = 0.878 (lagging) iv. From part (ii) at 1500 rpm Xs = 13.5 , V = 6350.85 E at rated field current = 12340.85V From part (i) rated armature current = 349.9 A E = V +jXs Is = 6350.85 0 + j13.5 x 349.90 = 6350.85 + j4723.65 = 7915 36.64 Field current = 7915/12340.85 x 50 = 32.07A Pm = 3VE/Xs sin = 3x6350.85x7915/13.5 sin 36.64=6666353 Watts Motor speed =1500 rpm = 50 rad/sec T = 6666353/50 = 42439 N-m 4.20. Review questions Part A with answers. 1. What are the modes of operation in variable frequency control method? i. True synchronous mode (or) separate controlled mode. ii. open loop (or) self-synchronous mode (or) Self controlled mode. 2. What is the main advantage of using closed loop control in drives? The closed loop control has very steady state error and hence the output is very close to the desired value and can be controlled. 3. What are the major applications of cyclo-converter fed synchronous motor? The cyclo converter drive is attractive for low speed operation and frequently employed in large low speed reversing mills requiring rapid accleration and deceleration. Also used for a gearless driver in mines, hoists, high power pump and blower type motor. 4. What are the two controllers employed in the closed loop control of synchronous motor drives? The speed controller and current controller are the two major controllers used in the closed loop control of drives. 5. What are the advantages of cyclo-converter drive? i. A cyclo-converter drive, in above base speed range gives high quality sinusoidal output voltage. The current is also nearly sinusoidal, hence harmonic content less, their effects such as losses, additional heating and torque pulsation are much reduced. ii. The line power factor is better as the machine power factor can be made unity. 6. Why self controlled synchronous motor is free from hunting oscillatons? The rotor runs at synchronous speed for all operating points, as the stator supply frequency is changed so that the synchronous speed is same as rotor speed. 7. Define current controlled operation in synchronous motor. The motor torque becomes independent of the stator leakage inductance and resistance T = k Ia sin t Thus the torque is dependent on the field flux, the armature current and the torque angle. The field flux, is constant for a permanent magnet machine, it is adjustable by means of the field current in a wound rotor machine. 8. What is a commutator less dc motor? A synchronous motor with converter in the load side is known as a commutator less dc motor. The converter in the load side performs the function of a commutator. The synchronous motor fed with dc supply through the converter, acts like a dc machine, with the stator and rotor fields remaining stationary with respect to each other at all speeds. 9. How is the direction of rotation reversed in a brushless dc motor? The direction of rotation of a brushless dc motor can be reversed by shifting the control pulses to the power devices in the circuit by 180. 10. Give two salient features of cycloconverters used to control the synchronous motor speed. i. Cycloconverters are inherently capable of power transfer in both directions.

The harmonic content of the current is small. The line power factor is somewhat better because the machine power factor can be made unity. 11. What happens to the stator current of a synchronous motor when v/f is kept constant? Since the flux is constant, the current also remain in constant magnitude. 12. Give the application of CSI fed synchronous motor. Gas turbine starting pumped hydro turbine starting, pump and blower driver, etc. 13. What are the disadvantages of cyclo-converter fed synchronous motor drive? A cyclo converter requires a large number of thyristor and its control circuitry is complex. 14. Give some application of load-commutated inverter fed synchronous motor drive. High speed and high power drives for compressors, blowers, conveyors, steel rolling mills, main-line traction and air craft test facilities. 15. Give the application of self controlled synchronous motor? A self controlled synchronous motor is a substitute for a dc motor drive and finds application where a dc motor is objectionable due to its mechanical commutator, which limits the speed range and power output. 16. What are the disadvantages of load commutation in the CSI fed synchronous motor drive? i. Limitation on the speed range ii. The machine size is large and due to over excitation. It is under utilized. 17.What are the characteristics of self controlled mode operated synchronous motor? i. It operated like dc motor also called commutator less motor ii. These machines have better stability behaviour. iii. Do not have oscillatory behaviour. 18. What are the characteristic of true synchronous mode operated synchronous motor? i. The motor behaves like conventional synchronous motor i.e hunting oscillations exists. The changes in frequency is slow enough for rotor to track the changes. ii. Multi motor operation is possible here 19. When can the synchronous motor be load commutated? When the synchronous motor operates at a leading power factor thyristors of the load side converter can be commutated by the motor induced voltages same way as the thyristors of a line commutated converter are commutated by line voltages. 20. What are the disadvantages of the VSI fed synchronous motor? The stator current drawn by the motor when inverter fed has sharp peaks and rich in harmonic content, that cause additional losses and heating of the motor. They also producing pulsating torque that are objectionable at low speeds. 21. What is meant by brushless excitation? The synchronous motor can be operated at any desired power factor by varying dc excitation. The traditional methods consists of phase controlled rectifiers that supply the field through sliprings and brushes. The disadvantages of sliprings and brushes can be avoided by using brushless excitation. 22. What are the important features of brushless dc motor scheme. i. They require practically no maintenance, having long life. ii. High reliability iii. Low inertia and low friction iv. Low radio frequency interference and noise. v. Due to low inertia and friction they have faster acceleration and can be run at much higher speeds. vi. Cooling is much better. vii. Higher efficiency. 23. What are the types of permanent magnet motors based on induced voltage?

ii. iii.

i. Sinusoidally excited PM motor ii. Trapezoidally excited PM motor. 4.21. Review questions Part B 1. i. Describe the brushless d.c. motor with reference to synchronous drive. List few of its applications. ii. What is the basic difference between the true synchronous mode and self control mode for variable frequency control of synchronous motor. Explain the operations. 2. i. Explain how power factor control is achieved in synchronous motor drives. ii. A 1000 kW, 3-phase, 6.6 kV, 50 Hz, 6 pole delta connected, unity power factor, synchronous motor has the following parameters. XS = 40 ohm, RS = 0, rated field current = 5A, machine is controlled by variable frequency control at a constant (v/f) ratio. Calculate torque and field current for rated armature current, 500 rpm and the unity power factor. 3. i. Describe the self control of synchronous motor fed from VSI. Discuss about the separately controlled synchronous motor fed from VSI. ii. Compare the above two schemes. 4. i. Write a brief note on Commutator less dc motor. ii. Explain the types of permanent magnet synchronous motor. 5. Explain how three phase synchronous motor fed by a three phase inverter can be made to behave like a simple DC motor. Hence is it proper to call them as a commutator less DC motor. 6. Write short notes on the following. i. Marginal angle control of synchronous motor drive. ii. True synchronous mode of operation. 7 .i. Describe using a schematic how the speed of an inverter fed brushless DC motor can be controlled ii. Bring out its advantages and disadvantages.