Hi friends,
In this article, I am going to describe the advantages and application of synchronous motor. Some characteristic features of this machine are as follows:
1. It runs at a constant speed (synchronous speed). The only way to change its speed is to vary the supply frequency.
2. It is not inherently self-starting.
3. At no-load it draws a very small current from the mains to meet the internal losses of the motor. With the increase in load torque, the torque angle δ increases and the motor draws more current from the mains. After the input current reaches the maximum (at torque angle δ nearly equal to 90o) no further increase in the load is possible. If the motor is further loaded, it goes out of synchronism and stops.
Application of Synchronous Motor
Synchronous motors are mainly used in constant speed applications; some of them are as under:
1. An overexcited synchronous motor operates at leading power factor and takes a leading current from the bus bars, so it can be used to raise overall the power factor of the installation. When a synchronous motor is run without load with over-excitation for improving the power factor of an installation, it is called as the synchronous capacitor or synchronous condenser.
2. Such motors are also used to regulate the voltage at the end of transmission lines.
3. Because of the higher efficiency possible with synchronous motors, they can be used for loads where constant speed is required. Typical applications of a high-speed synchronous motor (above 500 rpm) are fans, blowers, pumps and compressors.
4. Since synchronous motors can be built for speeds as low as 120 RPM. They are well-suited for direct connection to reciprocating compressors.
5. Pulp beaters and grinders, steel and metal rolling mills, rock and ore crushers are generally coupled or geared to the motor.
The advantages and disadvantages of the synchronous motor are as under:
Advantages of Synchronous Motor
1. It can be operated under a wide range of power factors, both lagging and leading. Hence, it can be used for power factor correction, in addition to supplying torque to drive loads.
2. Most synchronous motors are rated between 150 kW and 15 kW and run at speeds from 150 to 1800 RPM.
3. It is less costly in certain kW and speed ranges, i.e. for 35 to 350 kW rating at speeds less than 500 RPM.
4. It usually runs at higher efficiencies, especially in low-speed unity power factor
5. It can be constructed with wider air gaps than induction motors, which makes it batter mechanically.
Disadvantages of Synchronous Motor
- It is not self-starting. Special methods are adopted to make it self-starting.
- It needs frequent maintenance.
- External DC source is necessary for providing excitation.
- Additional damper winding is necessary.
- Hunting takes place if the load is changed suddenly.
Advantages of Rotating Field System
Only in small synchronous machines (i.e. synchronous motors and synchronous generators), the field system is placed on stator and armature winding on the rotor. But in higher rating machines the field winding is placed on the rotor, and armature winding is placed on the stator. Following are the important advantages of rotating field system over a stationary field system:
1. The armature winding is more complicated than the field winding. Therefore, it is easy to place armature winding on a stationary structure.
2. The size of the armature conductors is much more to carry heavy currents. Therefore, high centrifugal stresses are developed in it. Thus it is preferred to place them on a stationary structure.
3. In the modern alternators (synchronous generators), a high voltage is generated. Therefore, heavy insulation is required and it is easy to insulate the high voltage winding when it is placed on the stationary structure.
4. The size of slip-rings depends upon the magnitude of the flow of current. Therefore, it is easy to deliver small current for excitation through slip rings of a smaller size when the rotating field system is used.
5. It is easier to build a properly balanced high-speed rotor when they carry the field system.
6. The weight of the rotor is smaller when the field system is provided on the rotor. This reduces some losses like friction losses.
7. Batter cooling system can be provided when the armature is kept stationary.
Thanks for reading about the “application of synchronous motor”.