JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTUE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

CLASS: EEE B1
UNIT: EEE 2306 (ELECTRICAL MACHINES II)
TASK: LABORATORY REPORT I
: AC SINGLE PHASE 4-POLE SQUIRREL CAGE INDUCTION MOTOR

GROUP 6 MEMBERS:
S/N REGISTRATION NAME
NUMBER
1 ENE211-0007/2018 WAHOME TERESA
WAMUYU
2 ENE211-0032/2018 CHERUTOI KIPTALLAM
ALFRED
3 ENE211-0053/2018 FRANCIS EDMOND
OTIENO
4 ENE211-0155/2018 NYAWIRA JULIUS
MWANGI
5 ENE211-0272/2018 RONO ISAAC
KIPCHUMBA
OBJECTIVE

To study the principle of operation of the single phase four pole squirrel cage induction
motor

LITERATURE REVIEW

Construction and Mode of Operation

The squirrel cage motor is a specific kind of motor that utilizes the principle of
electromagnetic induction to produce motion. As a subclass of induction motors, these
motors are simply termed “squirrel cage” from the likeness of the inner component of their
rotors which bears semblance to such a cage. In essence, two circular end caps are joined by
several rotor bars. An electromagnetic field (EM field) generated by the stator acts on these
bars, or the outer housing which comprises laminated metal sheets and coils of copper wire.

In terms of operation, an AC current passing through the stator creates an EM field which
fluctuates accordingly with its frequency. As such, it can be imagined to rotate around the
rotor so that opposite magnetic fields will be induced on the rotor bars. These rotor bars
interact with the stator induced electromagnetic force and maximize the electromagnetic
induction. Because this force produces an opposing voltage and consequently an opposing
EM force in the rotor bars, rotational motion is realized on the rotor bars.

It’s of fundamental importance to note that the rotor of the squirrel cage motor does not
revolve with an identical frequency to that of the AC current supplied through the stator. As
such, these motors are termed asynchronous. There must be some loss (slip) between the AC
rotational frequency in the stator and the AC rotational frequency in the rotor.

While it seems counterintuitive, no motion would be realized if the rotor were to spin at the
same frequency. This is simply because the magnitude of the EM force on the rotor bars
would be zero. Therefore, it must exhibit some degree of slowness to experience the effect
of the electromagnetic induction.

It follows that the phase, speed, torque and current must be specified for squirrel cage
induction motors. It is of practical importance because these motors must be classified based
on these attributes, for instance the speed-torque characteristics. These can as well be
analyzed in the laboratory. Furthermore, classification allows for interchangeability of motors
between manufacturers and allows for seamless replacements. However, the extensive scope
of these classifications will not be detailed in this report.
Fig. 1.0: Circuit Schematic for Single Phase Squirrel Cage Induction Motor

Full Motor Speed and Synchronous Speed

The frequency of the stator’s rotating magnetic field relies on the number of pole pairs per
stator phase. A motor with four poles such the one used in the experiment described herein has
only two pole pairs. If the stator’s magnetic field were to rotate once per full AC cycle, it would
do so 50 times in a second if fed from a 50 Hz supply. That’s equivalent to 3000 rpm, which is
typically the synchronous speed of the motor. While the rotor may not achieve this speed as
highlighted before, it is still the upper limit.

The synchronous speed is given by

Where; 𝑁𝑠 = synchronous speed in revolutions per minute (rpm)

f = Frequency of the AC supply in Hz

P= Number of poles per phase

If there was no windage, bearing losses, mechanical torque load, and other losses, the rotor
would rotate at the synchronous speed. However, there must be some slip between the
rotor frequency and the stator’s synchronous speed for torque to be developed. This can
only be achieved when the rotating magnetic field of the stator cuts the rotor bars. A loaded
motor will also slip in proportion to the mechanical load.
Starting of the Squirrel Cage Induction Motor

Three-phase motors are self-starting, to imply they need no additional starting voltage to
begin operating. Conversely, the single-phase motor must be given some push to start
rotating. From a simplistic perspective, the AC frequency that occurs solely in one phase does
not easily create a rotating electromagnetic field. This calls for some compensation in order
to simulate a rotating magnetic field, achievable by means of starters. For this reason, single
phase induction motors can be considered of four types based on the starters used:

1. Capacitor start induction motor

2. Capacitor start, capacitor run induction motor
3. Split phase induction motor
4. Shaded pole induction motor
5. Permanent split capacitor motor

For the convenience of scope and relevance of this report, the subsequent discussion covers
capacitor-start and capacitor-run induction motors. A capacitor-start induction motor utilizes
a large capacitor on the auxiliary winding such that it can be isolated by means of a
centrifugal switch one the motor attains required speed. Such a configuration is ideal for
applications that require higher starting torque as in air compressors. These kinds of motors
have great performance so that they are available in multi-kilowatt sizes.

The capacitor-run induction motor utilizes two capacitors, one with a much larger value. The
relatively large capacitor is used to attain higher starting torque while the smaller capacitor is
useful in improving the running characteristics once the motor is started while not drawing too
much current. Notably, motor starting capacitors must be polymer types over electrolytic
types so as to mitigate running losses that are common with the latter.
Fig. 1.1: Capacitor-Start Induction Motor

Fig. 1.2: Capacitor-Run Induction Motor

Torque-Speed Characteristics

While it is possible to operate at base speed and torques, squirrel cage motors can only
achieve this steady state via transient start-up. A torque-speed curve easily gives a gist into
this and it indicates the operating conditions which the motor can handle. The starting
torque is the torque upon motor start up while the breakdown torque is the highest torque
achieved prior to attainment of maximum speed. The motor name plate would typically
provide the steady state torque output, commonly identified as the rated torque. The slip of
the motor is defined by the difference between the synchronous speed and the peak speed
hit at the rated torque.
Fig 2.0: Torque Speed Characteristics for Induction Motors

APPARATUS

I. Resistor/Capacitor board
II. Voltmeter
III. Ammeter
IV. AC supply source
V. Centrifugal switch
PROCEDURE 1: NO LOAD TEST
I. The connections for Capacitor-Run Test was connected as shown in the diagram below.

ON

AC
SUPPLY
LINE
A
MAIN START
WINDING WINDING
TERMINAL TERMINAL
V
NEUTRAL
EMT180
NEUTRAL

II. The starting capacitance was set to 8μF and the 135V a.c supply to the motor was switched on.
III. When the shaft speed reached approximately 1150r/min the starting circuit was cut out
manually using the on-off switch on the resistor/capacitor board.
IV. The motor then ran up to its no-load speed at 1470r/min.
V. The effectiveness of different values of starting capacitance was then investigated
PROCEDURE 2: LOAD TEST
PART 1
I. The required connections for capacitor-start/run operation was done as shown below.

ON

CENTRIFUGAL
SWITCH

AC
SUPPLY
LINE A
MAIN START
WINDING WINDING
TERMINAL TERMINAL
V
NEUTRAL
EMT180
NEUTRAL

II. The 135 a.c supply to the motor was then switched on.
III. Keeping the supply voltage constant, the break load was increased in steps measuring the shaft
speed and the stator current at each step.
PART 2
I. The Capacitor-run operation was reconnected as shown below.

ON

AC
SUPPLY
LINE
A
MAIN START
WINDING WINDING
TERMINAL TERMINAL
V
NEUTRAL
EMT180
NEUTRAL

II. The starting capacitance was set to 12μF and the 135V a.c supply to the motor was switched on.
III. Keeping the supply voltage constant, the break load was increased in steps from zero to
0.8Nm measuring the shaft speed and the stator current at each step.

PROCEDURE 3: STALL TEST

I. Using the capacitor-run operation connection, the load torque was gradually increased until
the motor decelerated and stalled.
II. The best estimate of torque and speed at which the motor stalled was then recorded.
III. The torque development and the supply current when the rotor was still stationary was
also noted.
DISCUSSION

Slip=

Speed Slip Voltage

(r.p.m)

1300 0.0714 135

1280 0.0857 125

1180 0.1571 115

1150 0.1786 105

1130 0.1929 95

1120 0.2 85

1100 0.21429 75

1080 0.2286 65

1060 0.2429 55

920 0.3429 45

0 1 35

The synchronous speed was 1400 r.p.m.

Sample calculation:

At 135V, S=

At 35V, s= and the motor I at standstill.

The graph of applied stator voltage against slip is not linear

 Applied Stator Voltage against slip
160
140
120
100
80
60 Voltage

40
20
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Slip

- The stator current starts to decrease as the motor accelerates from standstill. This is
because when the motor is starting, the slip is 1. Since the effective rotor resistance is
the per unit resistance divided by the lip, then at full load speed, the slip is around 0.02
or 0.2%. The effective rotor resistance at full load then becomes 50 times greater than
that when starting. The motor impedance is hence higher at running peed and therefore
the current is lower.
- The starting torque of induction motors is low which is evidenced from the data obtained
from the lab whereby the starting torque was 0.2Nm.
- The torque speed characteristics of the motor for the start run and capacitor run are as
shown below using the data,
 Speed Speed Torque(*10^1)Nm
for the for the
start run capacitor
capacitor run 12
(14 μF) (μF)
1390 1280 2

1340 1220 4

1280 1180 6

1240 1100 8

1020 10

940 11

Shaft speed against torque for the start run

capacitor and the capacitor run
1600
1400
1200
1000 Shaft speed 1( Start run-
14 μF)
800
600 Shaft speed 2(Capacitor
run 12μF)
400
Torque(*10^-1)Nm
200
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Torque (Nm)
Conclusion.
Single phase motors have no starting torque thus the need for capacitors to create phase difference
which is responsible for starting in single phase motors and also increases the starting torque of the
motor. For both capacitor start and capacitor run motors, at standstill slip is zero and torque is
inversely proportional to speed.

When the capacitor is removed from the capacitor start winding when the motor is running, the
motor continues to run due to torque generated.

References

1. B.L. THERAJA and A. K. THERAJA (2004). A Textbook of Electrical Technology Volume 2. Induction
motor, 1257-1258
Ashok Saini (2017, May 10) Effect of change in rotor resistance on torque

2 Ajay Sharma. Torque-slip Characteristics of induction motor.

https://yourelectricalguide.com/2017/07/torque-slip-charecteristics-of-induction-motors