EE 332: Electrical Machines

Laboratory Manual

Fan Cooling
Stator Air Flow

Rotor

Drive End

Squirrel Cage Induction Motor

© Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

University of Alberta 2005

Revised Winter 2008 1-1

EE 332 Lab Manual Introduction

Introduction
There are five labs in EE 332. Each lab is designed to teach you specific goals, which are
identified at the beginning of the appropriate section of this manual. Briefly, the goals are:

1. To learn how to use the equipment safely

2. To understand transformer action
3. To learn the characteristics of DC Motors
4. To understand the operation of 3-phase synchronous generators
5. To understand the operation of 3-phase induction motors
All the labs for EE 332 operate in a similar manner. You are required to read the relevant manual
before the labs and fill out the pre-lab questionnaire. The answers to the pre-lab questions can be
found by reading the lab manual. At the start of each lab, the instructor will review the relevant
theory and safety issues. In each lab, you are required to take measurements from the equipment
and record the results. In order to limit the number of repetitive calculations, you will enter your
data in a spreadsheet which will plot relevant graphs for you. When writing up your lab reports,
you must answer the questions for each lab and show sample calculations. Many of the lab
questions are designed for you to show that you understand the data you are recording and can
interpret your observations. Whilst it is possible to record your data in the lab and then fill out
the spreadsheets and do sample calculations later, you are advised to do this work during the
scheduled lab time and to ensure that you understand what you are plotting whilst in the lab.
Each year there are a number of students who plot the data outside the lab, only to then discover
that certain measurements have been taken incorrectly, with no opportunity to re-take
measurements.

• It is compulsory for all students to attend all scheduled labs in order to pass the course.
• Each lab is worth 20% of the total lab mark.
• Pre-lab questionnaires must be handed in at the start of each lab.
• Pre-lab questionnaires are worth 20% of the available marks for each lab.
• Lab write-ups are worth 80% of the available marks for each lab.
• All lab write-ups must be handed in one week after the lab.

Revised Winter 2008 1-2

EE 332 Lab Manual Lab 1 Safety

Lab 1: Safety
Goals
• Understand the possible hazards associated with the equipment in the lab
• Understand how to minimize risk whilst working with the equipment
• Familiarization with the benches
• Familiarization with the meters

General Lab Safety

• Food and Drinks are not permitted anywhere in this lab.
• The equipment in this lab is capable of causing serious injury, if used improperly
• Keep as many of your belongings as possible at the computer tables or by the door, minimize
the amount of equipment you use at the experimental benches.

Electrical Safety
• There can be as many as four electrical sources on the equipment benches.
• The external ac supply to the benches is at 115V 1∅ and 208V 3∅.
• The machines on the bench are capable of generating in excess of 350V dc and 230V 3∅.

The external supplies to the bench are connected through circuit breakers (15A single phase, 50A
three phase) and through fuses in the bench equipment. In the unlikely event of a short circuit,
these supplies should be interrupted by the circuit protection equipment.

• The locally generated voltages are not protected. If you short circuit the output of a generated
voltage, current will continue to flow. Possible outcomes include damaged equipment,
electrical shock and electrical fire.

To understand the impact of electrical currents on the body, consider the diagram in Fig. 1-1. It
should be apparent that one must always exercise caution when working with electrical
equipment.
0.2 A
Death
Extreme Difficulty Breathing 0.1 A

Severe Shock
Can't Let Go
Pain 0.01 A
Mild Sensation
Sensation Threshold
0.001 A

Fig. 1-1 Human reaction to electrical current

Revised Winter 2008 1-3
EE 332 Lab Manual Lab 1 Safety
Rules For Electrical Safety
1) Only apply power to a circuit after a lab instructor or TA has checked and approved your
circuit.
2) Before working on a circuit:
• always de-energize the bench
• ensure that the machines have stopped
• and use a meter to test that the bench is de-energized
3) Never rely on safety devices such circuit breakers to protect you.
• Circuit breakers are a last resort, and may fail. You should always practice safe working
habits.
4) Keep your lab bench organized and uncluttered.
5) Do not simultaneously disconnect both ends of a connection.
6) Take care when connecting circuits, always use the appropriate wires for your connection
• The banana plugs can only handle currents up to 10 A
• Spade connectors can only conduct currents up to 25 A.
• Copper straps should be used for short connections where no current measurement is
needed
7) Exercise care when using copper straps or spade connectors.
• Copper is exposed at the ends of these connectors. It is possible to touch a live circuit at
this point.
8) Do not lean on any equipment that has electrical connections
• Especially do not lean or place equipment on load boxes
9) Be careful to check that multimeters are set as ammeters for current measurement and
voltmeters for voltage measurement
• Placing and ammeter in a circuit is equivalent to placing a short circuit. Make sure that
meter leads are plugged into the correct sockets before placing a meter in the circuit.

Revised Winter 2008 1-4

EE 332 Lab Manual Lab 1 Safety

Mechanical Safety
The electrical machines used in this lab are classified as industrial equipment. The machines
operate in the region of 7.5 hp at 1800 rpm. The shaft torque can be up to 30Nm, which at a 2
cm radius is a 1500N force, should anything get caught in the shaft.
Rules for mechanical safety
1) Loose clothing should not be worn to the labs.
• When in the lab make sure that your shoelaces are fastened.
2) Leave all backpacks, purses etc. at the computer benches.
3) Never touch the machines when they are energized.
• Be sure not to rest your feet on the equipment
4) Loose jewellery such as bracelets, long necklaces etc. should be covered and secured,
preferably removed.
5) Ties should not be worn in this lab.
6) Long hair should be tied back or covered

Lab Equipment
A photograph of one of the lab benches is shown in Fig. 1-2. This lab will familiarize you with
the different equipment on the bench, how to energize and de-energize each part of the bench
and how to use some of the meters in the lab.

Fig. 1-2 Lab bench

Considering Fig. 1-2, the equipment is grouped into 6 sections: 120V single phase outlets; a
torque meter, on top of the bench; the induction machine panel Fig. 1-3; the dc machine panel
Fig. 1-4; the synchronous machine panel Fig. 1-5; power supply switches Fig. 1-6.

Revised Winter 2008 1-5

EE 332 Lab Manual
Fig. 1-3 Induction motor / transformer panel
Fig. 1-4 DC Machine Panel
Fig. 1-5 Synchronous machine panel
The three panels form the main part of the
bench. The induction machine panel is on the
left, with a transformer, Variac and induction
machine supply. The centre panel is the DC
Revised Winter 2008
Lab 1 Safety
machine panel. It contains field winding and
armature winding supplies for a DC machine,
plus controls for a DC drive. The synchronous
machine panel is on the right, with field
control and armature supply terminals. The
bench supply switches control all supplies to
the bench. The top, red, emergency stop button
will disconnect all supplies to the bench when
pressed. Below this switch there are
independent switches to control the single
phase and three-phase supplies. You should
always make sure that all three switches are
off before working on any circuit.
Fig. 1-6 Supply switches
Meters
A range of meters is used in this lab. You will
use standard digital multi-meters, DMM,
(Fluke 25, Fluke 87) plus a Fluke 43B power
analyzer. When using the DMM’s you should
make sure that the leads are connected to the
correct sockets for current or voltage
measurement. The current sockets are
effectively a short circuit, the voltage sockets
are open circuit. Incorrectly placing a short or
open circuit in your experiment can have
serious results.
The majority of students are not familiar with
power analyzers prior to this lab. The Fluke
1-6
EE 332 Lab Manual
43B is a good industrial quality hand-held
power analyzer. Differences from standard
DMM’s that you may have experience before
include:
• Current measurements are made via a
clamp-on current probe, not direct
connection in the circuit.
• The meter can measure power in single and
three-phase circuits
• Voltage and current waveforms are
displayed.
• The meter can be used as an oscilloscope
• Operating modes are set through an on-
screen menu system, rather than dials or
switches.
• The meter can be operated from a 120V
supply if the battery is dead.
During this lab you will have the opportunity
to use the Fluke 43B in different settings and
are encouraged to take the time to familiarise
yourself with the meter in this lab. If the meter
is operated from the 120V supply, the 120V
sockets on the bench are only live when the
120V bench supply is energized.
Lab Experiments
Induction Motor Panel
Experiment 1A
The first set of experiments is concerned with
the induction motor / transformer panel, shown
in Fig. 1-3. There are 3 pieces of equipment
which may be operated from this panel:
• An Autotransformer/Variac (top left)
• A transformer (bottom left)
• An induction machine (right)
Single Phase Supply
Ensure that the switch in the center of the
induction motor panel is off (down). Connect a
Fluke 87 voltmeter to the terminals above the
switch, making sure that the voltmeter leads
are plugged into the “common” and “volts’
Revised Winter 2008
Lab 1 Safety
sockets and that the meter is set to an AC volts
scale. Energize the single phase system by
pulling out the red stop button and turning on
the 1-phase switch at the right side of the
bench, Fig. 1-6. Now switch on the single
phase switch in the centre of the panel and
record the rms voltage. Note that the benches
label the single phase voltages variously as
115V or 117V. Typically in this lab, the single
phase voltage is closer to 120V.
Switch off the 1-phase on the induction motor
panel, the 1-phase bench switch and press the
red stop button. The bench should now be de-
energized, test this by switching the induction
motor panel 1-phase switch back on and
checking the voltage reading on the meter.
Turn the switch and the meter off.
Variac
Experiment 1B
Use 2 short banana-plug leads to connect the
single phase supply terminals on the induction
motor panel to the input (top) terminals of the
Variac, as shown in Fig. 1-7.
Fig. 1-7 Variac experiment wiring
Connect the Fluke 87 meter to the output
terminals of the Variac (labelled A and B in
Fig. 1-7) and turn the Variac dial to 100%.
Energize the circuit by pulling out the red
emergency stop button, turning on the bench
1-7
EE 332 Lab Manual
1-phase supply and the panel 1-phase supply.
Record the Variac output at dial settings of
100%, 60% and 30%.
De-energise the circuit in the reverse order that
it was energized and check the circuit as in
experiment 1a. Remove the leads from the
panel.
Induction Motor
Experiment 1C
At the induction motor supply, use 2 copper
straps to connect the 2 blue terminals together
and the 2 black terminals together. Use a short
spade-connector lead to connect the two red
terminals, as shown in Fig. 1-8.
Fig. 1-8 Induction motor wiring
Turn on a Fluke 43B power meter (if the Fluke
43B battery is dead you may turn on the bench
1-phase supply and use the power adapter for
the meter). Connect the meter voltage leads to
terminal 1 and common of the meter and the
current probe to terminal 2 of the meter.
Connect the red voltage lead of the probe to
the black input terminal of the induction motor
and black voltage probe to the blue input of the
induction motor. Also clamp the current probe
around the wire of the first (red) phase. Set the
gain on the current probe to 10mv/A and then
using the menu function on the meter, use the
arrow buttons to select “instrument setup” and
Revised Winter 2008
Lab 1 Safety
“probes”. Make sure that probe one is set to
test leads and probe 2 is set to 10mV/A. Go
back to the main menu and select “inrush
current”. Set the values to 50A peak and 1
second, and then select start. If a TA /
instructor have checked your circuit, turn on
the bench 3-phase supply and press the green
start button on the induction motor panel.
Record the peak inrush current. Return to the
main menu and select volts/amps/Hz and
record rms voltage, current and frequency.
From the main menu, select power and record
three-phase power, VA, VARs and power
factor. Note that the meter will prompt you to
check your connections when measuring three-
phase quantities. Press the “Enter” button to
change the display screen to harmonics, then
again to return the Volts/Amps/Hertz page.
Spend some time exploring the other functions
of the meter. Stop the motor, de-energize the
circuit and turn off the meter. Do not dismantle
the circuit; it will be used in the next set of
experiments.
DC Machine Panel
Interlock
Experiment 2A
This lab will explore some of the settings and
operation of the DC machine panel, as well as
highlight the ability to generate voltages on the
bench.
Connect the fluke 87 meter as a voltmeter
between terminals A and B at the top of the
panel. Energize the 1-phase and 3-phase bench
supplies. Press the green start button on the
DC machine panel and record the voltage
between terminals A and B (VAB1). (Note: the
supply doesn’t energize). De-energize the
entire bench. Now connect the circuit as
shown in Fig.1-9. Turn the rheostat that
controls the DC machines field fully counter-
clockwise (minimum DC current setting). Re-
energize the bench and turn on the 1-phase
1-8
EE 332 Lab Manual
switch for the field on the top of the DC
machine panel. Press the start button and
record the voltage between terminals A and B
Fig. 1-9 DC Machine Field Connection
(VAB2) again. (Note: this time the supply does
energize). Turn off all of the supplies and push
in the red stop button. (Note that the DC Drive
contains an interlock to prevent voltage from
being applied to the armature if there is no
applied field voltage).
DC Generation
Experiment 2B
Connect the fluke 87 meter as a voltmeter
across the armature terminals of the dc
machine (top left red terminal and bottom right
black terminal). After checking your circuit
with a TA / instructor, energize the bench and
turn on the single phase supply on the DC
machine panel, with the rheostat fully
clockwise (maximum DC current setting).
Now press the green start button on the
induction motor panel. After the machines
have accelerated, record the DC voltage
generated by the DC motor. Press stop in the
induction motor panel and de-energize the
Revised Winter 2008
Lab 1 Safety
bench. Disconnect the circuit on the DC
machine panel, but not the induction machine
panel.
Experiment 2C
Using an estimated value of 10kΩ for the
resistance of a human body, calculate the
current resulting from touching the DC
machine terminals at maximum voltage
(obtained in experiment 2B). Compare your
answer to the current levels in Fig. 1-1.
Synchronous Machine Panel
Experiment 3A
The final set of experiments in this lab is
concerned with the synchronous machine
panel, Fig. 1-5.
Three Phase Supply
Connect the fluke 43B meter as a voltmeter
between terminals A and B on the left center
of the panel. Energize the 1-phase and 3-phase
bench supplies, press the green start button on
the synchronous machine panel and record the
rms voltage and frequency between terminals
A and B. Repeat for line-line voltages B-C and
C-A. Connect the black voltage lead to the
ground terminal and record the A, B, C line-
ground voltages. De-energize the bench and
check that is de-energized.
AC Generation
Experiment 3B
On the synchronous machine panel connect the
circuit shown in Fig. 1-10, using the Fluke 25
as an ammeter.
1-9
EE 332 Lab Manual Lab 1 Safety

Fig. 1-10 Synchronous machine panel wiring

Connect the fluke 43B meter as a voltmeter
between terminals A and B on the right center
of the panel (the terminals of the synchronous
machine). Once your circuit has been checked,
energize the single phase supply and turn on
the single phase ac switch at the top of the
panel. Make sure that the 117V/24V switch is
set to 24V. With the small Variac at its
maximum setting, press the green start button
on the induction motor panel. After the
machines have accelerated, record the AC
voltage between terminals A (red) and B
(Black), the excitation current (If) and the
frequency generated by the synchronous
machine. De-energize the bench and
disconnect all the circuits.

Lab report
There is no formal requirement for a lab report
for this safety lab. Hand in your record of
results before you leave the lab. For this lab,
individual submissions of the pre-lab and
lab results are required.

Revised Winter 2008 1-10

EE 332 Lab Manual Lab 1 Safety
Name: ID #

EE 332 Lab 1 Pre-Lab questions

1. What are the goals of Lab1?

2. Which meters are used in this lab?

3. What types of leads are used in the labs?

4. What external supply voltages are connected to the bench?

5. What should you always do before energizing a circuit?

6. What should you do after de-energizing a circuit and before working on the circuit?

7. What type of lead should be used for a 20A current?

8. Which electrical machines are used in this lab?

9. How many external supplies are connected to the benches?

10. Are voltages generated on the bench protected against short circuit?

Revised Winter 2008 1-11

EE 332 Lab Manual Lab 1 Safety
Name: ID #

EE332 Lab 1 Results

Experiment 1a
Energized voltage: De-energized voltage:
Experiment 1b
Variac setting Voltage
100%

60%

30%

Experiment 1c
Peak Inrush Voltage Current Frequency Power Voltamps Power
VAR
Current (A) (V) (A) (Hz) (W) (VA) factor

Experiment 2a
Supply Doesn’t Energize (VAB1): Supply does Energize (VAB2):
Experiment 2b
Maximum voltage:
Experiment 2c
Estimated current and impact:
Experiment 3a
Supply Voltages:
A-B: B-C: C-A:

A-G: B-G: C-G:

Frequency:
Experiment 3b
Machine terminal voltage and frequency:
Excitation Current:

Revised Winter 2008 1-12