Three Phase Induction Motor as a Traction Motor

Right from the introduction of electric traction, there was a strong desire to use Three phases
Induction Motor for Traction application. This could only be possible with the introduction of
variable voltage variable frequency control.

Working Principle of Three Phase Induction Motor

AC induction motor is equivalent to Transformer where secondary is short circuited and free to
rotate. Three phase primary winding is mounted on Stator distributed spatially at 120 degree.
Resultant Field flux produced in the air gap, due to time and space varying each phase flux, is of
constant magnitude but rotating at a synchronous speed of Ns. The value of Ns is given by
120(f/P ) where f is frequency and P is number of poles. This flux induces emf and current in the
rotor and causes it to rotate in the direction of stator flux and tries to catch it up. The induction of
voltage and current in the rotor circuit will depend upon the relative motion between field and
rotor.  The induced emf, rotor reactance and frequency is having value of sE, sX and sf where s
is called slip frequency given by (Ns-Nr)*100/Ns

Equivalent Circuit of Induction Motor

Equivalent circuit is same as that of transformer except that all values in the secondary side is at
slip frequency because of induction of voltage and current in the rotor will be based on the
relative motion of synchronous speed and rotor speed.

1. Air gap Flux is produced by the magnetising current I m flowing through inductive winding of
the stator Lm and Φag = (Lm Im)/Ns

 From Faraday’s Law we know that;          eag=Ns(d Φag/dt)

Air gap flux at any instant is given by       Φag(t)= Φagsinωt

From this we get                             eag=NsΦagωcosωt or NsΦag(2πf)cosωt

Rms value                                                 ∝Φagf means proportional to air gap flux

and frequency
Ratio of applied voltage and frequency shall be maintained constant for air gap flux to be
constant.

2. Air gap flux produced is rotating at a synchronous speed of ω s and induces voltage in the rotor
circuit. The frequency of induced voltage depends on the relative motion between synchronous
speed and the rotor speed at any instant of time. It will be f at locked rotor and will keep on
reducing to very low value with increase in speed.

Slip                                                                         s(per unit)=(ωs-ωr)/ωs

Slip Speed( ωsl)                                                 sωs

Slip frequency(fsl)                                            sf∝ sωs

Rotor Voltage Er                                               ∝fslΦag=RrIr +j2πfslLrIr

Power crossing the airgap                            EagIr

Rotor Power Loss                                             3RrIr2                               

                        Now multiplying rotor voltage equation by f/fsl   then we get

Eag = (f/fsl ) Er =RrIr(f/fsl ) +j2πfslLrIr(f/fsl)

Multiplying with Ir

Pag = EagIr= RrIr2(f/fsl ) +j2πfLrIr2 = (Active power per phase+ Reactive Power per phase)

Total active power 3Pag=3 RrIr2(f/fsl )

                        Electromagnetic power of rotor = Air gap power – rotor losses

Pem=3 RrIr2(f/fsl )- 3RrIr2   = 3 RrIr2[(f/fsl)-1] where f/fsl = 1/s

Tem=Pem/ωr; ωr=ωs(1-s)

Pag/Pem={3 RrIr2(f/fsl)]/ 3 RrIr2[(f/fsl)-1]= (f/fsl)/ [(f/fsl)-1]=1/(1-s)=ωs/ωr

       Tem=3( Rr/ωr)Ir2[(f/fsl)-1] =3[ Rr/ ωs(1-s)]Ir2[(1-s)/s]=3(1/ωs) Ir2 (Rr/s)

Ir=sEag/Zr= sEag/√Rr2+s2Xr2;

Tem=[3(1/ωs)( Eag2)( Rr/s)]/[( Rr/s)2+X2]

Now there are two options

 When s is low-Rs/s is low as compared to X, then  Tem= [3(1/ωs)( Eag2)( s/Rr)]; Tem∝s
 When s is high-Rs/s is low as compared to X, then   Tem=[3(1/ωs)( Eag2)( Rr/X2)](1/s);
Tem∝1/s

Figure 2

Stability of the torque from  zero slip to pull out can be confirmed like that if there is sudden
demand of torque, speed reduces and if load speed increases, torque demand reduces. This is not
so in zone of pull out torque to pull in torque where if speed increases  demand of load also
increases. Induction motors are preferred to work much below pull out torque as shown T rated to
deliver full power at rated speed.  Tmax  is short time torque to utilize short term thermal rating of
the motor.

Speed Control of Traction Motor

Speed of an Induction motor depends only on number of poles and frequency of applied power
supply from the formula ωs=120f/p or to some extent by reducing the supplied voltage which
results in reduction of generated torque resulting in reduction of speed. These speed control
method could not find any universal application for any purposeful gain. There is one example of
using pole change from 4 to six pole for twin speed vacuum exhauster used  on WAG1 class of
locomotive for quick creation of vacuum after application of brakes.

With the development of advance power devices like thyrister, GTO and IGBT, frequencycontrol
became feasible.
Constant Power Zone

Φag can be maintained constant when voltage is increased in proportion to frequency. This is
possible up to rated voltage thereafter, air gap flux reduces as indicated below

Φag=Eag/f; Tem∝(Φag)2fsl or Tem∝(Eag/f )2fsl or ∝Eag2fsl/f 2 or ∝ fsl/f 2 or ∝ sf/f 2 or ∝ s/f

It means torque varies inversely proportion to frequency by keeping slip constant.

Reduced Power Zone

Torque reduces with reduction of slip and therefore slip can only be reduced to the limit of
minimum torque which is essentially required by load. Thereafter slip reduces in proportion to
frequency, keeping sf constant and in this situation T em is in inverse proportional to  square of
frequency.

Voltage Boost at Low Voltage

Air gap flux is   required to be  maintained constant to derive constant tractive effort up to
constant tractive effort zone of the drive. Voltage applied provides air gap flux as well as drop
across stator resistance therefore voltage boost is required at low voltages to maintain constant
air gap.

Vs = kf+ I1R1

The percentage I1R1 drop is significant at lower frequency operation therefore voltage boost is
required to compensate for the voltage drop as shown below
Regenerative Braking

This is the most important feature of traction motor provides opportunity for saving on energy
but also smoothness in braking, saving on wear and tear in mechanical braking system. An
Induction motor works as a generator if mechanical speed is more than the synchronous speed.
When called upon to brake, the frequency applied to the stator is lowered below the mechanical
speed, and what happens is explained as follows:

A Traction motor is operated at frequency f0,Slip s0 and delivering torque τ0 shown on curve

below. Now the frequency of the stater is reduced to f1, the demand of torque slip characteristics
now shifts to curve B requiring point of operation shift.  to curve B where torque and slip
becomes negative and shifts to point B on the curve B with regeneration to start. Maximum value
o regenerative tractive effort is limited to 25T and so is negative torque of the traction motor.
The rate of change of frequency decides the maximum setting; voltage is simultaneously reduced
along with frequency.