SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR
A synchronous motor is an AC motor where the rotation of the rotor (or shaft) is synchronized
with the frequency of the supply current. That is, the rotation period of the rotor is equal to the
rotating field of the machine it is inside of. When three-phase electric conductors are placed in
certain geometrical positions (i.e. in a certain angle from one another) – an electrical field is
generated. The rotating magnetic field rotates at a certain speed known as the synchronous speed.
If an electromagnet is present in this rotating magnetic field, the electromagnet is magnetically
locked with this rotating magnetic field and rotates at the same speed as the rotating field.
This is where the term synchronous motor comes from, as the speed of the rotor of the motor is
the same as the rotating magnetic field.
It is a fixed speed motor because it has only one speed, which is synchronous speed. This speed
is synchronized with the supply frequency. The synchronous speed is given by:
Where:
N= The Synchronous Speed (in RPM – i.e. Rotations Per Minute)
f = The Supply Frequency (in Hz)
p = The number of Poles
Construction of synchronous motor
The construction of a synchronous motor (with salient pole rotor) is as shown in the figure at left.
Just like any other motor, it consists of a stator and a rotor. The stator core is constructed with
thin silicon lamination and insulated by a surface coating, to minimize the eddy current and
hysteresis losses. The stator has axial slots inside, in which three phase stator winding is placed.
The stator is wound with a three phase winding for a specific number of poles equal to the rotor
poles. The rotor in synchronous motors is mostly of salient pole type. DC supply is given to the
rotor winding via slip-rings. The direct current excites the rotor winding and creates
electromagnetic poles. In some cases permanent magnets can also be used. The figure above
illustrates the construction of a synchronous motor very briefly.
Working of synchronous motor
The stator is wound for the similar number of poles as that of rotor, and fed with three phase AC
supply. The 3 phase AC supply produces rotating magnetic field in stator. The rotor winding is
fed with DC supply which magnetizes the rotor. Consider a two pole synchronous machine as
shown in figure below.
Now, the stator poles are revolving with synchronous speed (lets say clockwise). If the
rotor position is such that, N pole of the rotor is near the N pole of the stator, then the poles
of the stator and rotor will repel each other, and the torque produced will be anticlockwise.
The stator poles are rotating with synchronous speed, and they rotate around very fast and
interchange their position. But at this very soon, rotor can not rotate with the same angle
(due to inertia). In this case, poles of the stator will attract the poles of rotor, and the torque
produced will be clockwise.
Hence, the rotor will undergo to a rapidly reversing torque, and the motor will not start.
Characteristic features of a synchronous motor
Synchronous motor will run either at synchronous speed or will not run at all.
The only way to change its speed is to change its supply frequency. (As Ns = 120f / P)
Synchronous motors are not self starting. They need some external force to bring them near
to the synchronous speed.
They can operate under any power factor, lagging as well as leading. Hence, synchronous
motors can be used for power factor improvement.
Application of synchronous motor
As synchronous motor is capable of operating under either leading and lagging power
factor, it can be used for power factor improvement. A synchronous motor under no-load
with leading power factor is connected in power system where static capacitors can not be
used.
It is used where high power at low speed is required. Such as rolling mills, chippers,
mixers, pumps, pumps, compressor etc.