Basics of 3-phase Induction Motor (part 2) | EEP http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/basics-of-3-phase-induction-m...

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Basics of 3-phase Induction Motor (part 2)

Continued from first part – Basics of 3-phase Induction Motor (part 1)

For the purpose of standardization, the preferred rated voltages of three phase induction motor shall be
in accordance with IS 12360: 1988.

The voltages for three phases, 50 Hz motors are: 415 V, 3.3 kV, 6.6 kV and 11 kV.

As per Motor voltage ratings are defined by NEMA MG 1, Motors and Generators (Ref. 1), and ANSI
C50.41, Polyphase Induction Motors for Power Generating Stations (Ref.2). According to ANSI C50.41,
Section 6.3, preferred voltage ratings are as follows:

460V; 2300V; 6600V

575V; 4000V; 13,200V

Note that these ratings do not correspond exactly to the standard ANSI C84.1 (Ref. 16) nominal system
voltages of 480, 600, 2400, 4160, 6900, and 13,800V. Instead, each of these ratings is roughly 4 percent
lower than the nominal system voltage. The reason for this is to provide some allowance for voltage
drop.

For Coordination of Voltages and Output of three-phase induction motors it is recommended that the

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Basics of 3-phase Induction Motor (part 2) | EEP http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/basics-of-3-phase-induction-m...

minimum rated output should be greater than the limits given below in terms of the rated voltage:

2 < Voltage < 3.3 for and up to 100kW

3.3 < Voltage < 6.6 for and up to 200kW
6.6 < Voltage < 11 for and up to 1000kW.

This is the voltage rating given by IS-325 Three phase induction motor Specification but this cannot
be followed in all cases as there have been cases where motors of 150kW being supplied by 415V and
160kW to 4500kW being supplied by 11kV.Now here comes the application of motor in picture & the
load torque requirement of the concerned motor. Torque developed in Induction motor is directly
proportional to the square of EMF induced in rotor. At standstill the EMF induced in rotor is almost
equal to applied voltage to stator and in running condition the EMF induced in rotor is slip times the
applied voltage to stator.

If concerned Motor is used as compressors for chillers or any application which does not require very
high starting torque and is of say 400kW then whether we have more voltage or low voltage that does
not matter. So we can use either 11kV for this as given by IS or even contradict it and use 6.6kV.For
11kV supply voltage will be less compared to 6.6kV supply but in both cases the load torque
requirement will be met.

But if the same motor is used as a grinder motor in a refinery or any high starting torque application
then you cannot feed it with 0.415kV supply as load torque requirement will not be met. We will find
that load torque requirement is met at 11kV.

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Basics of 3-phase Induction Motor (part 2) | EEP http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/basics-of-3-phase-induction-m...

Because of more voltage requirement load torque requirement was not met at 0.415kV so next higher
voltage level was selected even 6.6kV would have done if available.

Now question is how to find load torque requirement?

If electric motor is driving any pump/compressors then the load torque characteristics of
pump/compressor is prepared by mechanical engineering department and electric motor vendor gives his
load torque characteristics for required kW at a particular voltage level.

Electrical department matches the two characteristics if found not matching then other voltage level is
selected whose load torque characteristics matches.

So after making a detailed study of:

- 1 - Manufacturing feasibility with respect to costing of motor. (For low kW HT machine insulation
cost will be more. So more money is required.) Transformers with large motors connected, 25% – 100%
of the ONAN rating, need special evaluation.

The voltage drop on the system during starting must be calculated balancing the impedance of the
transformer and inrush of the motor to best match the voltage drop and short circuit needs of the
system. In addition the transformer manufacturer may need to enhance the internal bracing of the
transformer to accommodate the shock loading as a result of the motor starting current.

- 2 - Load torque requirement. HT motor has high Starting torque because of more voltage. So load
torque requirement or application has to be studied.

- 3 - So depending upon application we deviate from IS codes in this regard.

- 4 - So we define motor utilization voltage in our DBR at the starting of project keeping in mind the
above mentioned points.

As a general standard engineering practice the following utilization voltage is adopted for 3 Phase
motors especially in power plants:

Motor type & rating Voltage No of Phases & Frequency Grounding

AC Motor above 180kW 6.6kV 3Ph, 50Hz Non effectively earthed

AC Motor upto 180kW 415V 3Ph, 50Hz Effectively earthed

DC Motors 220V or 110V 2 Wire DC Unearthed

Why anti condensation heating or space heaters are employed when a three phase induction motor is
not under operation?

Often the motors are kept in a store for some time or they are transported under very damp conditions
and in such cases, the insulation resistance generally becomes low and it is dangerous for the motor to
he connected up before the condition has been rectified.

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IEEE 43 places special emphasis on determining the insulation condition of such machines before
energizing and even before conducting a high-voltage test. This can be determined by the insulation test
as noted below.

Insulation resistance of the windings is a measure to assess the condition of insulation and its suitability
for conducting a high-voltage test or for energizing the machine. A low reading may suggest damage to
the insulation, faulty drying or impregnation or absorption of moisture. The insulation resistance may be
measured according to the procedure laid down in IEEE 43 between the open windings and between
windings and the frame by employing a direct-reading ohm meter (megger).

The recommended minimum insulation resistance of the machine is obtained by the following empirical
formula:

Rm=kV+1

Where:
R = recommended minimum insulation resistance in MR (mega ohms) of the entire machine windings,
at 40°C or 1 MR per 1000 V plus 1 M Ω, and
kV = rated machine voltage in kV

At the site, when commissioning a new or an existing motor after a long shutdown, it must have a
minimum insulation level according to the above equation. An 11 kV motor, for instance, must have a
minimum insulation of 12 MΩ. In normal practice, it is observed that when first measured the
resistance reading may show more than the minimum value and may mislead the operator, while the
winding condition may not be adequate for a high voltage test or an actual operation.

One must therefore ensure that the winding condition is suitable before the machine is put into
operation. For this purpose, the polarization index (PI), which is determined from the insulation test
data only as noted below, is a useful pointer. It must be evaluated at site while conducting the insulation
test then compared with the manufacturer’s reference data for the machine to assess the condition of
insulation at site and its suitability for operation.

This is usually a site test, but to establish a reference record of the machine, it is also carried out at the
works on the completed machine and test records furnished to the user.

Drying Out

If the measured insulation resistance of the motor is less than 1 MΩ/kV with a minimum of 1 MΩ
when the machine is cold, it should first be dried out by anti condensation heater before full voltage is
applied to the terminals of the motors.

References:

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Basics of 3-phase Induction Motor (part 2) | EEP http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/basics-of-3-phase-induction-m...

1. NEMA MG-1.
2. Industrial Power Engineering and Application Hand Book by K C Agarwaal.
3. Industrial Power System Hand Book by Shoaib Khan.
4. Theory and Calculation of Alternating Current Phenomena by Charles Proteus Steinmetz
5. Motor protection relay (MM30) manual from L&T

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About Author //
Asif Eqbal

Asif Eqbal - Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical & Electronics engineering,

from Manipal University, (Karnataka), India in 2006. Presently involved in the
design of EHV outdoor substation and coal fired thermal power plants for
more than seven years. Motto of joining EEP as a contributor is to share my
little engineering experience and help the budding engineers in bridging the
conspicuous gap between academics and Industrial practice. “If you have
knowledge, let others light their candles with it, so that people who are
genuinely interested in helping one another develop new capacities for action; it is about creating
timeless learning processes".

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