Quick Revision — Speed Control Methods
Stator Voltage Control
$T \propto V_s^2$ at a given slip.Used for fan/pump loads; poor efficiency at reduced speeds.
V/f (Scalar) Control — Constant Flux
\[
\frac{V_s}{f} = \text{const} \Rightarrow \phi_m \approx \text{const}
\]
\[
\Tmax \approx \text{const} \quad \forall\; f
\]
Boost required at low $f$ to overcome $I\Rs$ drop.
Slip Speed Control
At constant flux: $T = k\,\omega_{\text{slip}}$Rated torque at any speed if slip speed = rated slip speed.
Rotor Resistance Control
Introduces external resistance $R_e$ into the rotor circuit (slip-ring motors).Increases starting torque and reduces starting current.
Poor efficiency due to $I^2R$ loss in the external resistor.
Problems: Speed Control Methods
Problem 10 — Stator Voltage Control
Problem Statement
A 2.8 kW, 400 V, 50 Hz, 4-pole, 1370 rpm, Y-connected motor:
$\Rs=2\,\Omega$, $\Rr=5\,\Omega$, $\Xs=\Xr=5\,\Omega$, $\Xm=80\,\Omega$.
The motor drives a constant-torque load of rated value.
(a) Find the terminal voltage required at $n=1200$ rpm.
(b) Find the motor speed when the stator line voltage is reduced to 300 V.
Part (a): $n=1200$ rpm, find $V$
\[
n_s=1500\;\text{rpm},\quad s=\frac{1500-1200}{1500}=0.2
\]
Rated torque: $T_{\text{rated}}=\dfrac{2800}{2\pi\times1370/60}=19.51\;\text{N-m}$
Setting up the torque equation with $V_\phi$ as unknown ($\Rr/s=25$):
\[
T=\frac{3V_\phi^{2}\,\Rr/s}{\omegams\left[(\Rs+\Rr/s)^{2}+(\Xs+\Xr)^{2}\right]}
\]
\[
19.51=\frac{3V_\phi^{2}\times25}{157.08\times[27^{2}+10^{2}]}=\frac{75\,V_\phi^{2}}{157.08\times829}
\]
\[
V_\phi^{2}=\frac{19.51\times157.08\times829}{75}=33{,}870
\]
\[
\ans{V_\phi=184.0\;\text{V (phase)}}
\]
For a Y-connected motor, $V_L=\sqrt{3}\,V_\phi$:
\[
\ans{V_L=318.8\;\text{V (line)}}
\]
Stator current at (a) ($V_\phi=184$ V):
\[
I_r'=\frac{184}{\sqrt{27^{2}+10^{2}}}=\frac{184}{28.79}=6.39\;\text{A}
\]
\[
I_m=\frac{V_\phi}{\Xm}=\frac{184}{80}=2.30\;\text{A}
\]
\[
I_s\approx\sqrt{6.39^{2}+2.30^{2}}=6.79\;\text{A}
\]
Y-connected: $I_L=I_s=\ans{6.79\;\text{A}}$
Part (b): $V_L=300$ V $\Rightarrow V_\phi=173.2$ V
Solve for slip at rated torque: \[ 19.51=\frac{3\times173.2^{2}\times(5/s)}{157.08\,[(2+5/s)^{2}+100]} \] Iterative solution (high-slip branch): \[ \ans{s=0.247}\Rightarrow \ans{n=1500(1-0.247)=1129\;\text{rpm}} \] Two mathematical roots exist; the high-slip root at 1129 rpm is the operating point that the motor settles at when the torque curve at reduced voltage just meets rated torque demand.
Solve for slip at rated torque: \[ 19.51=\frac{3\times173.2^{2}\times(5/s)}{157.08\,[(2+5/s)^{2}+100]} \] Iterative solution (high-slip branch): \[ \ans{s=0.247}\Rightarrow \ans{n=1500(1-0.247)=1129\;\text{rpm}} \] Two mathematical roots exist; the high-slip root at 1129 rpm is the operating point that the motor settles at when the torque curve at reduced voltage just meets rated torque demand.
Problem 11 — Rotor Resistance Speed Control
Problem Statement
A 400 V, 6-pole, 50 Hz, $\Delta$-connected slip-ring motor: $\Rr=0.2\,\Omega$, $\Xr=1\,\Omega$.
The motor drives a constant torque load at rated speed. Find the external resistance
inserted in the rotor circuit to reduce the speed to 850 rpm.
Step 1: Rated slip
\[
n_s=1000\;\text{rpm},\quad s_1\approx 0.03\text{ (assumed)}
\]
Step 2: Required slip at 850 rpm
\[
s_2=\frac{1000-850}{1000}=0.15
\]
Step 3: For constant torque, slip proportional to rotor resistance
\[
\frac{\Rr+R_e}{\Rr}=\frac{s_2}{s_1}
\]
\[
\frac{0.2+R_e}{0.2}=\frac{0.15}{0.03}=5
\]
\[
R_e=0.8\;\Omega\;\text{(referred to stator)}
\]
Step 4: Actual rotor resistance
If turns ratio $a=1$ (delta/delta): \[ \ans{R_e=0.8\;\Omega\;\text{per phase (rotor)}} \] Efficiency penalty: \[ \eta_{\text{mech}}=\frac{P_{\text{mech}}}{P_g}=1-s_2=0.85 \] \[ \text{vs. rated: }1-s_1=0.97 \] Power wasted in $R_e$: \[ P_{R_e}=(s_2-s_1)P_g \]
If turns ratio $a=1$ (delta/delta): \[ \ans{R_e=0.8\;\Omega\;\text{per phase (rotor)}} \] Efficiency penalty: \[ \eta_{\text{mech}}=\frac{P_{\text{mech}}}{P_g}=1-s_2=0.85 \] \[ \text{vs. rated: }1-s_1=0.97 \] Power wasted in $R_e$: \[ P_{R_e}=(s_2-s_1)P_g \]
Answer: $R_e = 0.8\;\Omega$ per phase. Note: Rotor resistance control is simple but
inefficient — excess slip power is wasted as heat in the resistors.
Problem 12 — V/f Scalar Speed Control
Problem Statement
A 400 V, 50 Hz, 4-pole, Y-connected motor: $\Rs=2\,\Omega$, $\Rr=3\,\Omega$, $\Xs=\Xr=3.5\,\Omega$,
$\Xm=55\,\Omega$. Controlled by V/f drive with constant $V/f$ ratio.
(a) Find torque, speed, and stator current at $f=30\;\text{Hz}$ and rated slip speed.
(b) Find inverter frequency for rated torque at 1200 rpm.
Step 1: Rated conditions
\[
n_s=1500\;\text{rpm},\quad n_{FL}=1370\;\text{rpm}
\]
\[
\omega_{\text{slip,rated}}=\omegams\cdot s_{\text{rated}}=157.1\times0.0867
\]
\[
\omega_{\text{slip,rated}}=13.62\;\text{rad/s}
\]
Step 2: At $f=30\;\text{Hz}$
$V/f$ constant: $V_{30}=400\times30/50=240\;\text{V}$
Synchronous speed: $n_{s,30}=\frac{120\times30}{4}=900\;\text{rpm}$ \[ \omegams^{30}=94.25\;\text{rad/s} \]
$V/f$ constant: $V_{30}=400\times30/50=240\;\text{V}$
Synchronous speed: $n_{s,30}=\frac{120\times30}{4}=900\;\text{rpm}$ \[ \omegams^{30}=94.25\;\text{rad/s} \]
Step 3: Motor speed at $f=30$ Hz
Keep same slip speed: $\omega_{\text{slip}}=13.62\;\text{rad/s}$ \[ n_r=900-\frac{13.62\times60}{2\pi}=900-130=\ans{770\;\text{rpm}} \] Step 4: Torque at 30 Hz
Reactances scale: $X'=X\times(30/50)=0.6X$ \[ T=\frac{3\times(138.6)^2\times(3\times0.0867)}{94.25[(2+3/0.0867)^2+(0.6\times7)^2]} \] Evaluating: $\ans{T\approx 22.7\;\text{N-m}}$ Step 5: Frequency for 1200 rpm \[ n_s-n_r=130\;\text{rpm (slip speed)} \] \[ f=\frac{(1200+130)\times P}{120}=\frac{1330\times4}{120}=\ans{44.3\;\text{Hz}} \]
Keep same slip speed: $\omega_{\text{slip}}=13.62\;\text{rad/s}$ \[ n_r=900-\frac{13.62\times60}{2\pi}=900-130=\ans{770\;\text{rpm}} \] Step 4: Torque at 30 Hz
Reactances scale: $X'=X\times(30/50)=0.6X$ \[ T=\frac{3\times(138.6)^2\times(3\times0.0867)}{94.25[(2+3/0.0867)^2+(0.6\times7)^2]} \] Evaluating: $\ans{T\approx 22.7\;\text{N-m}}$ Step 5: Frequency for 1200 rpm \[ n_s-n_r=130\;\text{rpm (slip speed)} \] \[ f=\frac{(1200+130)\times P}{120}=\frac{1330\times4}{120}=\ans{44.3\;\text{Hz}} \]
Problem 12 — V/f Control Characteristics
Key V/f Control Results
| $f$ (Hz) | $V$ (V) | $n_s$ (rpm) | $T$ (N-m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 400 | 1500 | 19.5 (rated) |
| 40 | 320 | 1200 | $\approx$19.5 |
| 30 | 240 | 900 | $\approx$19.5 |
| 20 | 160 | 600 | $\approx$19.5 |
| 10 | 80 | 300 | reduces (boost needed) |
Stator current remains approximately constant:
\[
I_s \approx \frac{V_s/f}{L_s+L_m}\cdot\frac{1}{\omegams}\approx \text{const}
\]
At low frequencies: Voltage boost required
to overcome $I\Rs$ drop and maintain constant flux:
\[
V_{\text{boost}} = \frac{V_s}{f_{\text{rated}}}\cdot f + I_s\Rs
\]
Conclusion — V/f Control
- Constant air-gap flux maintained if $V/f=\text{const}$ (above base speed: constant $V$, flux weakening)
- Maximum torque approximately constant over entire speed range
- Stator current and rotor current approximately constant for rated torque
- Simple, robust — most widely used industrial drive strategy