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AQ: Improve induction motor efficiency

The efficiency of an induction motor is determined by intrinsic losses that can be reduced only by changes in motor design. Intrinsic losses are of two types: fixed losses – independent of motor load, and variable losses – dependent on load. Fixed losses consist of magnetic core losses and friction and windage losses. Variable losses consist of resistance losses in the stator and in the rotor and miscellaneous stray losses. So by reducing these losses we can improve efficiency of induction motor.

Changing the rotation direction will not improve efficiency.
Core loss and copper, those are the dominant losses. Improve them and you will get better efficiency. Changing the slot shape etc will help considerably, as will using copper in the rotor. BUT, you can’t do either one without affecting the performance of the motor, specifically the starting torque and current as well as the maximum torque and current. In addition, if the motor is designed to have aluminum cage, then changing the cage material to copper won’t help the efficiency much since the rotor slot and end rings are not optimally designed.

Improving slot fill will help your copper loss, by putting bigger wires in the stator slot, the wire resistance will reduce and the copper loss will go down. Reducing the end turn height of the windings will also help reduce copper losses.
Stray losses are the only one which can improve efficiency without affecting size of the induction motor. This can be reduced by reducing harmonies in the machine, which can be controlled by selecting slot combination, winding layout, size of air gap, saturation, concentricity of air gap etc.

If an induction motor has to run in both direction and uses a bi directional fan it is inefficient. uni directional fans are used in higher ratings to improve efficiency. further direction of rotation is determined by the driven equipment and cannot be changed at will. Minimising losses both core and copper and stray losses, better cooling ,improvement in cooling fan design a combination of all this suitably balanced will improve efficiency but there is always a limitation on max value imposed by certain conditions of application, materials, willingness of customers to pay.

AQ: What factors cause Current unbalance

1. Voltage unbalance in supply side (1% volts could easily be 10% current).
2. Physical differences between individual stator coil shapes and connections causing small (but noticeable) resistance changes.
3. Unsymmetrical magnetic circuit – not as big a deal in the smaller “ring” lamination designs, unless highly saturated.
4. Lightly loaded machines will exhibit far higher unbalance than those loaded closer to the full nameplate rating (mostly due to the magnetizing current requirements and associated core/stray loss).

For quick solution measure the current in the three phases, then change the three supply terminals by shift the three terminal to rotate the motor in the same direction, and measure again the current, if the high current move with a certain phase (example: phase L1 of supply read high current in the two case above) the problem is from supply, you can then measure the voltage at motor terminal to be sure that the control circuit and cable are good.

AQ: Figure out variable speed drives failures

If there is frequent current-limitation or overcurrent alarm during the variable speed drive running, we should check the loads and inverter IGBT module is normal or not, if its good, then the failure is the Hall magnetic compensation current sensor damaged on the control circuit of the variable speed drive. Hall magnetic compensation current sensor is a device to measure the current value of sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal periodic, which can truly reflect the real current waveform, to provide a control and protection signal to the variable speed drive. Generally, this device in variable frequency drive mostly is Swiss company LEM LA series components, LA Series Hall current sensor magnetic compensation can be divided into three and five terminals, for different variable speed drives capacity, the Hall current sensor magnetic compensation also is difference.

Electronic components are very sensitive to static electricity, it will cause electronic components soft breakdown and then cause the circuit board cannot work. So we should be careful when we replace the circuit board, and ensure wearing grounding wrist strap before working, make sure the strap ground directly and human body is at zero potential, in order to prevent body’s electrostatic damage to the circuit board. If there is no grounding wrist strap, we should touch the variable speed drive metal cabinet before replacing the circuit board, to ease static electricity through the variable frequency drive enclosure.

AQ: Energy Efficient Motor VS Standard motor

This is a very simplified comparison for a very complex issue. Every motor manufacturer is somewhat different in their approach, and there are literally thousands of design details in each machine that can be accommodated as the designer balances efficiency VS performance VS cost VS reliability VS safety VS manufacturability.

To generalize a bit, take a look at the following list. Not everything is there (not by a long shot!) but there should be enough to give you a reasonable overview. Note that some items are “design” related, while others are “operation” related.

1. Use a lower loss material for both stator and rotor laminations.
2. Use a larger copper cross-section for the same power rating.
3. Skew rotor winding with respect to stator winding.
4. Use more magnetic material (diameter, length, or both) to reduce flux densities.
5. Effectively size the machine for a somewhat higher rating than nameplate (because the typical peak of the efficiency curve occurs somewhere between 70 and 85 percent “rated” load).
6. Operate the machine at reduced temperatures and/or increase coolant flow.
7. Limit input frequency and/or voltage variation to tighter tolerance (note that this is a specification approach, not a manufacturing approach).
8. Better bearings / lubrication to reduce friction loss.
9. More care taken with internal geometry – i.e. closed slots, large air gaps, generous tooth dimensions, smooth surfaces, etc – to reduce windage.

AQ: AC drive faults analysis

It will cause a series problems during AC drive operation in various environmental conditions, take an example as: when failure occurs, AC drives protective function is activated, and the AC drive tripped immediately, the electric motor stop slowly, the red LED alarm indication turns on, the display panel shows alarm message code or fault content. Then we can analyze the variable frequency AC drive fault reasons base on the display information, if it is soft failures, we can cut of the AC drive and reset it. If the drive still not works, we need to check it manually or automatic initialization, and input the parameter values after the initialization finished. In this way, the AC drive can work if the failure is not critical. If the AC drive still can’t work after above detection, then we need to check the variable frequency drive damaged parts according to the fault phenomena, to replace components or circuit boards. Troubleshooting should follow the drives failure sequence. Like:

(1) Fault code 36, its main power failure, then the three-phase rectifier bridge modules may be breakdown shorted or opened.

(2) Fault code 14, its ground failure, check the motor windings and insulation with megger to see if it’s damaged or not.

(3) Fault code 37, its the inverter failure, the IGBT module may short-circuit breakdown. If the IGBT module short circuit, the main circuit fuse will burnout too. When a phase gate damaged, the variable frequency AC drive will appear overcurrent phenomenon, then it’s time to check the IGBT modules.

AQ: How is Vector Control improving motor output torque capability?

1: Torque boost: this function is the variable speed drive increases output voltage (mainly in low frequency) to compensate the torque loss due to voltage drop in the stator resistance, thereby improving the motor output torque.

2: Improve the motor insufficient output torque in low speed
“Vector control” can make the motor output torque at low speeds, such as (without speed sensor) 1Hz (for 4-pole motor, the speed is about 30r/min), same as the torque output at 50Hz power supply (maximum is approx 150% of rated torque).

For the V/F control variable speed drive, the motor voltage increases relatively as the motor speed decreases, which will result in lack of excitation, and make the motor can not get sufficient rotational force. To compensate this deficiency, the variable speed drive needs to raise voltage to compensate for the voltage drop in motor speed decreases. This feature called “torque boost”.

Torque boost function is to improve the variable speed drive output voltage. However, even if the drive increases voltage, the motor torque and current does not increase corresponding. Because the motor includes the torque and other components (such as the excitation) which generated by the motor.

“Vector Control” allocates the motor current value to determine the motor torque current component and other current component (such as the excitation component) values.

AQ: How to learn PLC technology languages

The PLC languages themselves are fairly similar between different manufacturers. You basically have ladder logic (which looks like a relay contact map), function blocks (which are more akin to an electronic circuit overview) and structured language (of which there are several variants. Most look a lot like high-level programming languages). You might encounter some functions having different names or in-/outputs between manufacturers but most of them look much the same. They have the same functionality although complex programming is easier in structured code. If you have worked with high-level programming, you might want to take a look at structured languages first as these will likely feel familiar.

As for ease-of-use, I usually recommend the larger manufacturers; not because these have the best, cheapest or easiest software but because they have very substantial and comprehensive online support which, for a beginner, is more helpful than a cheap program. The big companies such as Siemens, Schneider, ABB and Rockwell all have very comprehensive online help, programming examples and guides as well as manuals available. Most also have “starter-kits” of their software and hardware available although these of course require some form of budget.

AQ: Frequency inverter maintenance

1) In inverter regular inspection, we must cut off power before operation. Wait 4minutes (the bigger the longer, the maximum waiting time is 15 minutes) till the frequency inverter display panel LED indicator lights turn off, to make the main circuit DC filter capacitor fully discharged, and measure with a multimeter to confirm before proceeding.

2) Detach control board and main circuit from the frequency inverter, clean the inverter circuit board and internal IGBT modules, input and output chokes and other parts with brush and dust cleaner. Use cotton swab with alcohol or neutral chemical to clean PCB dirty place.

3) Check the inverter inner wire insulation has overheating traces, corrosion and discoloration or not, if found out, we should handle or replace it in time.

4) As the frequency inverter has vibration, temperature changes and other effects, screws maybe loose, we should tighten all screws.

5) Check input and output chokes, transformers, etc. is overheating, discoloration or smelly.

6) Check the intermediate circuit filter electrolytic capacitor safe valve is bulging out or not, and the outer surface has cracks, leakage, swelling and so on. Generally, the inverter filter capacitor life cycle of about five years, the inspection intervals is one year. The capacity of the capacitor can be measured by digital capacitance measurement, when the capacity drops to 80% rated capacity or less, it should be replaced.

7) Check the cooling fan operation is in good condition or not. The cooling fan lifetime is limited by bearings, we should replace the cooling fan or bearings in 2-3 years. If there are abnormal sounds and vibration, we need to replace in time.

8) Check the frequency inverter insulation resistance is in the normal range or not (all terminals with ground terminals). Note, do not use the megger to measure the circuit board, otherwise it will damage the circuit board electronic components.

9) Disconnect the inverter R, S, T terminals with power supply, and U, V, W terminals with motor cable, measure the insulation resistance between each phase conductor and each phase conductor with the protective ground terminals with the megger, to see if it’s in normal value or not, generally its higher than 1MΩ.

10) After inspection, we should use frequency inverter drive the motor with no load for a few minutes, and check the motor rotation direction.

AQ: Synchronous generators inter-turn faults

For the MW range of Synchronous generators, there is no terminology of “interturn fault” on the stator winding. There could only be coil to coil fault on the stator for such size of machine design.

There are possibilities of having inter-turn faults on the rotor winding: when the insulation positioned between adjacent conductors break (electrically) over time under certain mechanisms. These mechanisms can include; turn to turn movement caused by thermal expansions (during starts/stops cycles), rotor coil shortening, end strap elongation, inadequate end-turn blocking or conductive bridging formed by contamination. The protection of avoiding the interturn insulation is a function of how well the machine is designed, maintained and operated. The OEM of the generator usually provides recommendations to avoid any inter-turn fault during the lifecycle of the machine. Saying this, there are ways to monitor the interturn fault indication; such as data acquisition (air gap flux probe, air gap search coil), as supportive monitoring (RSO, Shaft voltage, shaft vibration levels, excitation current etc.). Ideally, you have to be knowledgeable with the machine design to interpret the acquired data to make valuable predictions.

If you start by contemplating what kind of symptoms inter-turn faults could give rise to, you will be part of the way.
While machine is at standstill, you could do some reflected-wave analysis. All phases should show (near) identical responses.
During operation, you could have non-identical current and voltage waveforms on the three phases (you must compensate for unequal load).
You may experience strange sounds, in the supersonic range. Changing for different locations around the stator. You can continue the list, and settle on systems that may be able to detect any anomalies, so you can react accordingly.

AQ: Soft starter MCC control cabinet

MCC is shorted for Motor Control Center. Soft starter MCC control cabinet consists of the following components: (1) input circuit breaker, (2) Soft starter (including electronic control circuit and three phase thyristor), (3) soft starter bypass contactor, (4) secondary-side control circuit (for manual start, remote start, soft start and direct start functions selection and operation), and voltage, current display, fault, running and working status indicators.

We can achieve various complex functions with combinations of soft starter MCC control cabinet. For example: add logic controller to two control cabinets to form a “alternative solution” for building’s fire protection system, sprinkler pumps etc. Couple with PLC (programmable logic controller), we can achieve automatic detection (eg half a month) and shutdown of the fire pump system; couple with corresponding logic controller to make the pump running at low speed and low pressure in setting time when we maintenance the whole system working status. Combine logic controller with several motors for residential pump system and other dedicated systems, active each motor according to actual requirements and also can reduce motor gradually to achieve optimum operation efficiency. Also can achieve multiple motors running by turns according to customer requirements, to make all motors operating life in the same.