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, $\Delta$-connected motor:
$\Rs=2\,\Omega$, $\Rr=5\,\Omega$, $\Xs=\Xr=5\,\Omega$, $\Xm=80\,\Omega$.
(a) Find terminal voltage, current, and torque at 1200 rpm.
(b) Find speed, current, and torque when terminal voltage = 300 V.
Part (a): $n=1200$ rpm, find $V$
\[
n_s=1500\;\text{rpm},\quad s=\frac{300}{1500}=0.2
\]
At rated torque: $T_{\text{rated}}=\frac{2800}{2\pi\times1370/60}=19.51\;\text{N-m}$
Setting up torque equation with $V$ as unknown:
\[
T=\frac{3V_\phi^2\,\Rr/s}{\omegams\left[(\Rs+\Rr/s)^2+(\Xs+\Xr)^2\right]}
\]
\[
19.51=\frac{3V_\phi^2\times25}{157.1\times\left[27^2+100\right]}
\]
\[
V_\phi=\ans{253.2\;\text{V (phase)}}
\]
Line: $V_L=253.2\;\text{V}$ ($\Delta$: $V_\phi=V_L$)
Stator current at (a):
\[
I_r'=\frac{253.2}{\sqrt{27^2+100}}=9.28\;\text{A}
\]
\[
I_m=\frac{253.2}{80}=3.165\;\text{A}
\]
\[
I_s\approx\sqrt{9.28^2+3.165^2}=9.81\;\text{A}
\]
Line: $I_L=\sqrt{3}\times9.81=\ans{17\;\text{A}}$
Part (b): $V=300\;\text{V}$, find speed
At rated torque ($s=x$): \[ 19.51=\frac{3\times300^2\times(5/s)}{157.1[(2+5/s)^2+100]} \] Solving iteratively: $s=0.147$ \[ n=1500(1-0.147)=\ans{1279\;\text{rpm}} \] $I_s\approx\ans{16.9\;\text{A}}$
Part (b): $V=300\;\text{V}$, find speed
At rated torque ($s=x$): \[ 19.51=\frac{3\times300^2\times(5/s)}{157.1[(2+5/s)^2+100]} \] Solving iteratively: $s=0.147$ \[ n=1500(1-0.147)=\ans{1279\;\text{rpm}} \] $I_s\approx\ans{16.9\;\text{A}}$
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