BMECEE 307 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY

II Year Mechanical Engg

Two Marks Q & A
UNIT -III THREE PHASE & SINGLE PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR
1. What are the two types of 3 phase induction motor?
Squirrel cage and slip ring induction motor.
2. Write two extra features of slip ring induction motor?
Rotor has 3-phase winding. Extra resistance can be added in rotor circuit for improving PF with
the help of three slip rings.
3. Why an induction motor is called as rotating transformer?
The rotor receives same electrical power in exactly the same way as the secondary of a
two winding transformer receiving its power from primary. That is why induction motor is called as
rotating transformer.
4. Why an induction motor never runs at its synchronous speed?
If the motor runs at synchronous speed then there would be no relative speed between the two,
hence no rotor emf, so no rotor current, then no rotor torque to maintain rotation.
5. What are slip rings?
The slip rings are made of copper alloys and are fixed around the shaft insulating it.
Through these slip rings and brushes rotor winding can be connected to external circuit.
6. What are the advantages of cage motor?
Since the rotor have low resistance, the copper loss is low and efficiency is very high.
On account of simple construction of rotor it is mechanically robust, initial cost is less, maintenance cost
is less, simple starting arrangement.
7. Define slip in an Induction Motor?
The slip of an Induction Motor is defined as the ratio of difference between sync. speed (N) and
rotor speed (N) to the synchronous speed.
S= (Ns-N) / Ns
8. Define slip speed in an Induction Motor?
The slip speed is defined as the difference in speed between the rotating magnetic field produced
by stator (Ns) and rotor speed (N)
9. In which type of motor can resistance be introduced in the rotor circuit? What is the effect of it?
Slip ring Induction Motor. Effects:
1. starting torque increased 2. starting current decreased 3. motor speed can be controlled
10. Why the slots on the Induction Motor are usually skewed?
In order to obtain a uniform torque, reduce the magnetic locking of the stator and rotor and reduce
the magnetic humming noise while running.
11.Why it is required to start 3-Phase Induction Motors with the help of starters?
The induction motor is fundamentally a transformer in which the stator is the primary and the
rotor is short-circuited secondary. At starting, the voltage induced in the induction motor rotor is
maximum ( s = 1). Since the rotor impedance is low, the rotor current is excessively large. This large
rotor current is reflected in the stator because of transformer action. This results in high starting

current (4 to 1O times the full-load current) in the stator at low power factor and consequently the
value of starting torque is low. Because of the short duration, this value of large current does not harm
the
motor
if
the
motor
accelerates
normally.
12.Describe the Methods of Starting 3-Phase Induction Motors?
The common methods used to start induction motors are:
(i) Direct-on-line starting
(ii) Stator resistance starting
(iii) Autotransformer starting
(iv) Star-delta starting
(v) Rotor resistance starting
13.What is Direct-on-line starting of induction motor?
This method of starting in just what the name implies the motor is started by connecting it
directly to 3-phase supply. The impedance of the motor at standstill is relatively low and when it is
directly connected to the supply system, the starting current will be high (4 to 10 times the full-load
current) and at a low power factor. Consequently, this method of starting is suitable for relatively
small (up to 7.5 kW) machines.
14.What is Star-delta starting method of starting of 3 phase induction motor?
The stator winding of the motor is designed for delta operation and is connected in star during
the starting period. When the machine is up to speed, the connections are changed to delta. The circuit
arrangement for star-delta starting is shown below:

The six leads of the stator windings are connected to the changeover switch as shown. At the
instant of starting, the changeover switch is thrown to Start position which connects the stator
windings in star. Therefore, each stator phase gets
volts where V is the line voltage. This reduces
the starting current. When the motor picks up speed, the changeover switch is thrown to Run
position which connects the stator windings in delta. Now each stator phase gets full line voltage V.
15.Explain in details the Starting of Slip-Ring Motors?
Slip-ring motors are invariably started by rotor resistance starting. In this method, a variable
star-connected rheostat is connected in the rotor circuit through slip rings and full voltage is applied to
the
stator
winding
as
shown
in
Fig.

At starting, the handle of rheostat is set in the OFF position so that maximum resistance is
placed in each phase of the rotor circuit. This reduces the starting current and at the same time starting
torque is increased. As the motor picks up speed, the handle of rheostat is gradually moved in
clockwise direction and cuts out the external resistance in each phase of the rotor circuit. When the
motor attains normal speed, the change-over switch is in the ON position and the whole external
resistance is cut out from the rotor circuit.
16.What are the advantages of slip-ring induction motors over the squirrel cage motors?
(i) High starting torque with low starting current.
(ii) Smooth acceleration under heavy loads.
(iii) No abnormal heating during starting.
(iv) Good running characteristics after external rotor resistances are cut out.
(v) Adjustable speed
17. What is the importance of slip in a 3-phase induction motor?
The rate at which the flux cuts the rotor conductors is directly proportional to the difference
between the speed of rotating field (N s) and that of the rotor (N). If the rotor speed were to become
equal to the speed of the rotating field, there would be no generated e.m.f. (and hence current) in the
rotor conductors. Consequently, there would be no motor action. Thus it is the slip of the rotor (Ns
N) r.p.m. which causes e.m.f.s to be generated and currents to flow in the rotor conductors. This is
precisely the principle of operation of 3-phase induction motor.
18.What is the difference between squirrel cage rotor and wound rotor ?
Essentially, there is little difference between the squirrel cage and wound rotors. The object of
the latter is merely to bring out the ends of polyphase rotor winding to slip rings in order that
additional external resistance may be connected in series to improve the starting torque.
19.What are the advantages of wound rotor motors over squirrel cage motors ?
The wound-rotor motors have the following advantages over the squirrel cage motors :
(i) High starting torque and low starting current.
(ii) Smooth acceleration under heavy load.
(iii) No abnormal heating during starting.
(iv) Good running characteristics after rotor resistance is cut out.
(v) Adjusting speed.
20.What are the disadvantages of wound rotor motors compared to squirrel cage motors?
The wound-rotor motors have the following disadvantages as compared to squirrel cage
motors:
(i) The initial and maintenance costs are greater than that of squirrel cage motors.
(ii) Poor speed regulation when run with resistance in the rotor circuit.
21. Why is the power factor of a 3-phase induction motor low at no-toad?
Because of air-gap, the reluctance of the magnetic circuit of 3-phase induction motor is very
high. Consequently, the current drawn by the motor on no load is largely magnetizing current; the no
load current lagging the applied voltage by a large angle. For this reason, the p.f. of a lightly loaded
3-phase induction motor is very low.

22.Why is the sum of rotor core loss and friction and windage losses of a 3-phase induction motor
nearly constant at all loads?
(i) At no load, the rotor speed is maximum. The frequency and hence the rotor core loss is
practically zero. However, the friction and windage losses are maximum.
(ii) When the load is increased, the rotor speed decreases and hence rotor frequency increases.
Consequently, the rotor core loss increases while friction and Windage losses decrease.
It is found that at all loads, the rotor core loss plus friction and windage losses remain nearly constant.
23. Explain the statement that induction motor is fundamentally a transformer ?
The induction motor is fundamentally a transformer in which the stator is the primary and the
rotor is a short-circuited secondary. This is evident, particularly when the rotor is stationary. The rotor
current establishes a flux which opposes and, therefore, tends to weaken the stator flux. This causes
more current to flow in the stator winding just as as increase in secondary current in a transformer
causes a corresponding increase in primary current. Very often the analysis of an induction motor is
made on the same lines as the transformer with the modification that short-circuited secondary is
considered rotating.
24.What are the essential differences between 3-phase induction motor and a transformer ?
The essential differences between a 3-phase induction motor and a power transformer are as
under :
(i) Unlike that of a transformer, the magnetic circuit of a 3-phase induction motor has an airgap. This increases the reluctance of the magnetic circuit of the motor to a great extent. Consequently,
the magnetizing current drawn by an induction motor is much more than that of a power transformer.
(ii) The windings of a power transformer are cylindrical whereas those of induction motor are
distributed. This affects the turn ratio.
(iii) In a 3-phase induction motor, electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy.
However, in a transformer, electrical energy is transferred from one circuit to another, usually with a
change in voltage level.
(iv) A transformer is a static device and, therefore, friction and windage losses are absent.
However, 3-phase induction motor is a rotating machine and is attended by friction and windage
losses. For this reason, the efficiency of a transformer is more than that of an induction motor.
25.How is the speed of a squirrel cage induction motor changed?
The formula for the synchronous speed of a 3-phase induction motor is given by :
Ns =120f /P
It is clear that supply frequency and the number of poles are the only variable factors determining the synchronous speed. A variation of frequency is impossible because motor is connected to
commercial supply which has a fixed frequency. Therefore, speed of a squirrel cage induction motor
can be changed by varying the number of poles. Multispeed squirrel cage motors are provided with
stator windings that can be reconnected to form different number of poles.
26.What do you mean by horsepower rating and does it shows motor synchronous speed?
The horsepower rating is the mechanical output of the motor when it is operated at rated line
voltage, rated frequency and rated speed. Under these conditions, the line current is that specified on

the nameplate and the temperature rise does not exceed that specified.
The speed given on the nameplate is the actual speed of the motor at rated full- load; it is not
the synchronous speed.
27.What do you mean by synchronous speed of a 3-phase induction motor ?
The speed at which the flux produced by 3-phase stator windings of induction motor rotates is
called the synchronous speed of the motor. It is given by :
Ns = 120 f/p
where Ns= synchronous speed in r.p.m, f = supply frequency in Hz ,P = number of poles
28.Why does the rotor of a 3-phase induction motor rotate in the same direction as the rotating field
?
When three-phase stator winding is fed from 3-phase supply, a rotating magnetic field is set up
which cuts the rotor conductors. Since the rotor circuit is closed, currents start flowing in the rotor
conductors. Now, rotor conductors are carrying currents and are in the magnetic field. Therefore,
mechanical force acts on the rotor, tending to move it in the same direction as the stator field. The fact
that the rotor is urged to follow the stator field (i.e. rotor moves in the direction of stator field) can be
explained by Lenz's law. According to Lenz's law, the direction of rotor currents will be such so as to
oppose the cause producing them. Now, the cause producing the rotor currents is the relative speed
between the rotating field and stationary rotor. Hence to reduce this relative speed, the rotor starts
running in the same direction as the stator field and tries to catch it.
29.Why cannot 3-phase induction motor run at synchronous speed ?
The rotor follows the stator field. In actual practice, rotor, can never reach the speed of stator
field (i.e. synchronous speed). If it did, there would be no relative movement between the stator field
and rotor conductors and, therefore, no torque to drive the motor. Hence 3-phase induction motor can
never run at synchronous speed.

Single phase induction motors

1. Name the two winding of single phase induction motor?
Running winding and starting winding.
2. What are methods available for making single phase induction motor a self starting?
By splitting the single phase into two phase to produce rotating magnetic field, by providing
shading coil in the poles.
3. What is the function of capacitor in single phase induction motor?
To make phase difference between starting and running winding, to improve PF and to get more
torque.
4. State any 4 use of single phase induction motor?
Fans, wet grinders, vacuum cleaner, small pumps, compressors, drills.

5. What kind of motors used in ceiling fan and wet grinders?

Ceiling fan - Capacitor start and capacitor run single phase induction motor,
wet grinders - Capacitor start capacitor run single phase induction motor.
6. Why single phase induction motors have low PF?
The current through the running winding lags behind the supply voltage by large angle so
only single phase induction motor have low PF.
7.What is major difference between a 3-phase induction motor and a single-phase
induction motor?
Unlike a 3-phase induction motor, a single-phase induction motor is not self- starting but
requires some starting means.
8.Why single phase induction motor does not self starts?
The single-phase stator winding produces a magnetic field that pulsates in strength in a
sinusoidal manner. The field polarity reverses after each half cycle but the field does not rotate.
Consequently, the alternating flux cannot produce rotation in a stationary squirrel-cage rotor.
9. What is basic method to start single phase induction motor and why it is not preferred?
If the rotor of a single-phase motor is rotated in one direction by some mechanical means, it
will continue to run in the direction of rotation. As a matter of fact, the rotor quickly accelerates until it
reaches a speed slightly below the synchronous speed. Once the motor is running at this speed, it will
continue to rotate even though single-phase current is flowing through the stator winding. This method
of starting is generally not convenient for large motors. Nor can it be employed fur a motor located at
some
inaccessible
spot.
10. Explain about the concept of Double-Field Revolving Theory?
The double-field revolving theory is proposed to explain this dilemma of no torque at start and
yet torque once rotated. This theory is based on the fact that an alternating sinusoidal flux can be
represented by two revolving fluxes, each equal to one-half of the maximum value of alternating flux
(i.e., m/2) and each rotating at synchronous speed in opposite directions. Therefore, an alternating field
can be replaced by two relating fields of half its amplitude rotating in opposite directions at
synchronous speed. Note that the resultant vector of two revolving flux vectors is a stationary vector
that
oscillates
in
length
with
time
along
X-axis.
11. What is the value of slip at standstill in single phase induction motor?
Note that each rotating field tends to drive the rotor in the direction in which the field rotates.
Thus the point of zero slip for one field corresponds to 200% slip for the other . The value of 100%
slip (standstill condition) is the same for both the fields.
12. Explain motor action from standstill to running condition in single phase induction motor?
At standstill, s = 1 so that impedances of the two circuits are equal. Therefore, rotor currents
are equal i.e., I2f = I2b. However, when the rotor rotates, the impedances of the two rotor circuits are
unequal and the rotor current I2b is higher (and also at a lower power factor) than the rotor current I2f.

Their m.m.f.s, which oppose the stator m.m.f.s, will result in a reduction of the backward rotating flux.
Consequently, as speed increases, the forward flux increases, increasing the driving torque while the
backward flux decreases, reducing the opposing torque. The motor-quickly accelerates to the final
speed.

13. How to make Single-Phase Induction Motor Self-Starting?

The single-phase induction motor is not self- starting and it is undesirable to resort to
mechanical spinning of the shaft or pulling a belt to start it. To make a single-phase induction motor
self-starting, we should somehow produce a revolving stator magnetic field. This may be achieved by
converting a single-phase supply into two-phase supply through the use of an additional winding.
When the motor attains sufficient speed, the starting means (i.e., additional winding) may be removed
depending upon the type of the motor.
14. Name the types of single phase motors with respect to the method employed to make them selfstarting?
(i) Split-phase motors-started by two phase motor action through the use of an auxiliary or starting
winding.
(ii) Capacitor motors-started by two-phase motor action through the use of an auxiliary winding and
a capacitor.
(iii) Shaded-pole motors-started by the motion of the magnetic field produced by means of a shading
coil around a portion of the pole structure.
15. How to produce Rotating Magnetic Field From 2-Phase Supply?
As with a 3-phase supply, a 2-phase balanced supply also produces a rotating magnetic field of
constant magnitude. With the exception of the shaded-pole motor, all single-phase induction motors
are started as 2-phase machine. Once so started, the motor will continue to run on single-phase supply.
16. What is the major cause of noisy operation of the single phase induction motor?
If the two windings arc displaced 90 electrical but produce fields that are not equal and that
are not 90 apart in time, the resultant field is still rotating but is not constant in magnitude. One effect
of this non uniform rotating field is the production of a torque that is non-uniform and that, therefore,
causes noisy operation of the motor. Since 2-phase operation ceases once the motor is started, the
operation of the motor then becomes smooth.
17. What is starting torque and starting current of split phase induction motor?
The spinning torque is 15 to 2 times the full-loud torque mid (lie starting current is 6 to 8 times
the full-load current.

18. Why is the starting torque of a capacitor start induction motor high ?
The capacitor in the starting winding is so chosen that Is leads Im by about 75 degree.
Since the starting torque is directly proportional to sin, it is quite high in capacitor start induction
motors.
19. What is the function of centrifugal staring switch in a single phase induction motor?
It is connected in series with the starting winding. The function of the starting winding is to
produce rotating flux in conjunction with main winding at the start. When the motor has started and
reaches nearly 75% of synchronous speed, it produces its own rotating field . the starting winding now
has no function to perform and is removed from the circuit by a centrifugally operatedswitch.

PART B QUESTIONS
1) Explain with neat sketches, the principle of operation of three phase synchronous motor. Also
explain why it will not run at other than synchronous speed.
2) Explain in details about various methods of starting the synchronous motors
3) State various methods of starting of three-phase induction motor. Explain with the help of
diagram the working of star delta Starter.
4) Explain with the help of suitable diagrams, how rotating magnetic field is produced in a three
phase induction motor
5) Neatly sketch the torqueslip characteristics of a three-phase induction motor indicating there in
the starting torque, maximum torque and the operating region.
6) State various methods of starting of three-phase induction motor. Explain with the help of
diagram the working of a Direct Online Starter.
7) Explain the principle of working of a capacitor start single-phase induction motor and
mention its applications.
8) Explain why a single phase induction motor does not self start. Discuss its operation based on
double field revolving theory.
9) Briefly explain about capacitor run single phase induction motor.