Synchronous Motors

Constant-speed machine
Propulsion for SS Queen Elizabeth II
44 MW
10 kV
60 Hz
50 pole
144 r/min

Synchronous Motors (continued)

Construction
Stator identical to that of a three-phase
induction motor now called the armature
Energize from a three-phase supply and
develop the rotating magnetic field
Rotor has a DC voltage applied (excitation)

Synchronous Motors (continued)

Operation
Magnetic field of the rotor locks with the
rotating magnetic field rotor turns at
synchronous speed

Cylindrical (Round) Rotor

Constructed from solid steel forging to withstand large

centrifugal stresses inherent in high-speed operation
Used for high speed, low inertia loads (low starting torque)

Salient-Pole Rotor
Excitation Windings

Salient-Pole Rotor
with shaft-mounted DC exciter
Need carbon brushes to make
contact with the commutator

Salient-Pole Rotor with brushless excitation

Synchronous Motor Starting

Get motor to
maximum speed
(usually with no load)

Energize the rotor

with a DC voltage

The VARISTOR or resistor in shunt with the field winding prevents high
voltage from being induced during locked-rotor and acceleration.
The induced current helps to accelerate the rotor by providing additional
torque.

Brushless Excitation

How it works

Frequency-sensitive Control circuit

Looks at emf induced in the field

fr = sfs
At locked-rotor, s=1, fr = fs
Close SCR1 block current from field
Open SCR2 connect discharge resistor across the
field

How it works (continued)

As the speed approaches ns, fr gets small,

fr = sfs approaches 0
Open SCR2 disconnects the discharge resistor
Close SCR1 allows field current to flow

Salient-Pole Motor operating at

both no-load and loaded conditions

Angle is the power angle, load angle, or torque angle

Rotating Field Flux and Counter-emf

Rotating field flux f due to DC current in the rotor.

A speed voltage, counter-emf, or excitation
voltage Ef is generated and acts in opposition to
the applied voltage.
Ef = nsfkf

Armature-Reaction Voltage

Rotating armature flux, ar is caused by the

three-phase stator currents. The induced speed
voltage caused by the flux ar cutting the stator
conductors.
Ear = nsarka

Armature-Reaction Voltage (continued)

Ear = nsarka
ar proportional to armature current Ia
Ear = (Ia)(jXar)
where Xar = armature reactance (/phase)

Equivalent Circuit of a Synchronous Motor

Armature (One Phase)

V I R I jX I X E
T

X X X
s

ar

V E I (R jX )
T

V E I Z
T

ar

Phasor Diagram for one phase of a

Synchronous Motor Armature

Synchronous-Motor Power Equation

In most cases, the armature resistance is
much smaller than the synchronous
reactance, so the synchronous impedance
Zs is approximately equal to jXs .

The Equivalent-Circuit and Phasor Diagram

IaXscosi = -Efsin

The Synchronous-Motor Power Equation

VTIacosi = -(VTEf/Xs)sin
VTIacosi = power input per phase = Pin,1
-(VTEf/Xs)sin = magnet power per phase
developed by a cylindrical-rotor motor
(a function of Ef and )
Pin,1 = -(VTEf/Xs)sin is the synchronousmachine power equation
For three phases,
Pin = 3(VTIacosi) proportional to Iacos i
Pin = 3(-VTEf/Xs)sin proportional to Efsin