CHAPTER IV

SYNCHRONOUS MOTORS

4.1. Fundamentals of Synchronous Machine

A synchronous motor is electrically identical with an alternator or ac generator. In fact, a given

synchronous machine may be used, at least theoretically, as an alternator, when driven mechanically or as a
motor, when driven electrically, just as in the case of dc machines. Most synchronous machines are rated
between 150 kW to 15 MW and run at speeds ranging from 150 to 1800 rpm. Some characteristic features of a
synchronous motor are worth noting: (1) It runs either at synchronous speed or not at all i.e. while running it
maintains a constant speed. The only way to change its speed is to vary the supply frequency (because NS =
120f/P). (2) It is not inherently self-starting. It has to be run up to synchronous ( or near synchronous) speed by
some means, before it can be synchronized to the supply. (3) It is capable of being operated under a wide range
of power factors, both lagging and leading. Hence, it can be used for power correction purposes, in addition to
supplying torque to drive loads. Figure 1 shows the two major parts of a synchronous motor.

Figure 1 (p.165, Dr. Gerhard Henneberger, Electrical Machines I)

Synchronous motor as the name implies, this motor runs in synchronism or the same speed as
the revolving field. The stator of this motor is similar to an induction motor while the rotor has a set of salient
poles that are excited with a dc current.

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 4.2. Rotor and Synchronous Speed

The rotor speed of a synchronous motor is approximately equal to the synchronous speed.
120 f
Nr ≅ Ns = N
P
Where: Nr = rotor speed (rpm) f = frequency of the stator voltage (Hertz)
P = number of poles

Sample Problem: A four-pole synchronous motor runs at 1645 rpm at a certain instant.
What is the system frequency at that instant?
120 f PN s 4(1645)
Answer : N=
s → f= = = 54.8 Hz
P 120 120

4.3. Equivalent Circuit Per Phase

Where: EP = back emf per phase VP = supply voltage per phase

IP = motor current per phase Ra = armature resistance per phase
Xs = synchronous reactance per phase

• If the motor is operating at a lagging pf

 V sin θ − I P X s 
E= (VP cos θ − I P Ra ) 2 + (VP sin θ − I P X s ) 2 α tan −1  P
= 
 VP cos θ − I P Ra 
P

• If motor is operating at a leading pf

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  V sin θ + I P X s 
E= (VP cos θ − I P Ra ) 2 + (VP sin θ + I P X s ) 2 α tan −1  P
= 
 VP cos θ − I P Ra 
P

• Using Complex Number format: EP ∠ ± δ= VP ∠00 − ( I P ∠ ± θ )( Ra + jX s )

Where: δ = angle between EP and Vp (also called torque angle)
+θ = if motor is operating at a leading power factor
-θ = if motor is operating at a lagging power factor

Sample Problem: A 1000 kVA, 11kV, 3-phase Y-connected synchronous motor has a
resistance of 3 ohms and a reactance of 25 ohms per phase. Determine the induced emf when fully loaded at (a)
0.8 power factor lagging. (b) 0.8 power factor leading.

S 1, 000, 000
Answer : A.=
IL = = 52.486 A =θ cos −=
1
0.8 36.8690
3VL 3(11, 000)
11, 000
=
sin 36.869 0
0.6 =VP = 6350.85 V
3
E=
P (VP cos θ − I P Ra ) 2 + (VP sin θ − I P X s ) 2

E= [(6350.85)(0.8) − (52.486)(3)] + [(6350.85)(0.6) − (52.486)(25)=

]
2 2
P 5520.8 V

Alternate solution :
EP= VP ∠00 − ( I P ∠ − θ )( Ra + jX s )= 6350.85∠00 − (52.486∠ − 36.8690 )(3 + j 25)
=
EP 5520.8∠ − 9.960 V

B. E=
P (VP cos θ − I P Ra ) 2 + (VP sin θ + I P X s ) 2

E= [(6350.85)(0.8) − (52.486)(3)] + [(6350.85)(0.6) + (52.486)(25)=

]
2 2
P 7104.91 V

Alternate solution :
EP = VP ∠00 − ( I P ∠θ )( Ra + jX s ) = 6350.85∠00 − (52.486∠36.8690 )(3 + j 25)
=EP 7104.89∠ − 9.260

4.4. Power and Torque Developed Per Phase

EPVP 9.55 Pd
=Pd = sin δ T
XS NS

Where: T = torque developed per phase (N-m)

NS = synchronous speed (rpm)
Pd = mechanical power developed per phase (watt)

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 Note: At maximum power developed condition, sin δ must be equal to 1 (δ = 900)
EPVP 9.55 Pd (max)
=Pd (max) = Tmax
XS NS

4.5. Power Losses and Efficiency

Pout
=η = Pcu (3φ ) 3=
I P 2 Ra Protor Pf
Pout + Plosses
Plosses =
Pcu + Pstray Pstray =
Pcore + Pfw
Pin =
Pstator + Protor 3VP I P cos θ
Pstator =

Where: Pcu = stator copper losses

Pcore = core losses
Pfw = friction and windage losses
Pf = field copper losses or exciter losses
Pstray = stray power or rotational losses
Pshaft = output power in the shaft
Pstator = input power of the stator
Protor = input power of the rotor (equal to field copper losses)
Cos θ = operating power factor
η = efficiency

4.6. Power Flow Diagram

Pshaft
Pd = Pstator − Pcu Pshaft = Pstator − ( Pcu + Pstray ) η( motor ) =
Ps + Pr

Where: Pd = power developed in the armature

Pout = power output
Pr = power input to the rotor (power used in the exciter)
Ps = power input to the stator

Note: The power input of the rotor (power losses in the exciter) will be taken into
consideration only when the overall efficiency of the machine is to be determined, otherwise it is negligible.

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 Sample Problem 1: A 75Hp, 600V, 1000 rpm, 3-phase Y-connected synchronous motor has
an armature resistance of 0.05 ohm per phase and a leakage reactance of 0.45 ohm per phase. The efficiency at
rated load, 80% pf leading is 92%. Determine the mechanical power developed within the armature.
Answer :
Pshaft 75(746) Ps 60,815.217
P= = = 60,815.217 W I= I= = = 73.15 A
s
η 0.92
P L
3VL pf 3(600)(0.8)
600
θ cos −1 =
= 0.8 36.8690 =
Vp = 346.41 V
3
EP =
VP − I P ( Ra + jX s )
=
EP 346.41∠00 − (73.15∠36.8690 )(0.05 + j 0.45)
= 364.35∠ − 4.490 volts per phase
= EP I P cos δ 3(364.35)(73.15) cos(36.8690 + 4.490 )
Pd 3=
Pd = 60.01 kW
alternate solution : Pd =Pstator − 3I p 2 Ra =60,815.217 − 3(73.15) 2 (0.05) =60.01 kW

Sample Problem 2: A single-phase synchronous motor gives an output of 9.46kW at 0.9 pf

lagging with 600V. If stray power loss is 600W and field loss is 900 W, while effective armature resistance is
0.6 ohm, find the efficiency of the motor.

Answer :
Ps = Pm + Pcu + Pstray → V p I p cos θ = Pm + I p 2 Ra + Pstray
600 I p (0.9) =
9460 + I p 2 (0.6) + 600
I p 2 − 900 I p + 16766.67 =
0
900 ± (900) 2 − 4(1)(16766.67) 900 ± 861.936
=Ip =
2(1) 2
I p ( − ) = 19.032 A
= p I p cos θ
Ps V= = 10.277 kW
600(19.032)(0.9)
P 9.46
η = shaft
= = x100% 84.638%
Ps + Pr 10.277 + 0.9

Remember: Field loss refers to the power used to excite the windings of the rotor (Pr).

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 4.7. Power Factor Correction

Typical loads that operate on low power factor:

• Arc lamps
• Induction type AC motors
• Industrial heating furnaces

Some unwanted effects with low power factor:

• For a given load, the current will increase which means larger size of wire is needed.
Also it increases the losses and decreases the efficiency of the system.
• Generators, transformers, switches and transmission conductors become overloaded due
to the high current.
• Voltage drop in transmission lines increases due to the increase in current.
Methods used to correct low power factor:
• Using bank of static condensers (capacitors) connected across the load.

Where: Sold = old apparent power Snew = new apparent power

Pold = old active power Pnew = new active power
Cos θold = power factor before correction Cos θnew = pf after correction
QC = reactive power rating of the static condensers needed to correct the low pf

Sample Problem: A load of 10,000 kVA, 80% pf lagging is connected to a 13,200V line.
How much capacitive reactive power is needed to correct the power factor to 0.97 lagging?
Answer :
=
PL S= L pf L = 8, 000 kW
10, 000(0.8)
=θ L cos
= −1
0.8 36.8690 =θT cos=
−1
0.97 14.07 0
θC = QL − QT = PL tan θ L − PL tan θT = PL (tan θ L − tan θT )
=
QC 8000(tan 36.8690 − tan14.07
= 0
) 4395 kVAR

• Using a synchronous condenser connected across the load.

Synchronous Condenser – is a synchronous motor operated at a leading power factor. It

is sometimes called an over-excited synchronous motor.

Sample Problem: An inductive load consumes 10 kW at 0.75 pf lagging. A synchronous

motor with a pf of 0.9 leading is connected in parallel with the inductive load. What is the minimum required
kW size of the synchronous motor so that the combined load will have a power factor of 0.8 lagging?

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 Answer :
Pind 10
S=
ind = = 13.333 kVA θ=
ind cos −1 0.75
= 41.410
pf 0.75
θ syn cos
= = −1
0.9 25.840 =θT cos
= −1
0.8 36.8690
θ=
41.41 − 36.869 =
4.540 α=
180 − (41.41 + 25.84) =
112.750
β = 180 − (α + θ ) = 180 − (112.75 + 36.869) = 62.710
refer to the phasor diagram (by SINE law) :
sin θ sin β sin 4.540 sin 62.710
= = →=
S syn 1.1875 kVA
S syn Sind S syn 13.333
=Psyn S=
syn ( pf syn ) = 1.068 kW
1.1875(0.9)

Sample Question 1: A synchronous motor

A. will have a low power factor when run below rated speed.
B. may have its speed varied by inserting a rheostat in the DC field circuit.
C. will slow down with an increase in load within the limits of its pull out torque.
D. will take minimum line current at any load when operating at unity power factor.

Sample Question 2: Which motor has no inherent starting torque?

A. Shaded pole motor B. Series motor
C. Synchronous motor D. Induction motor

Sample Question 3: A synchronous motor running without load.

A. Synchronous converter B. Synchronous condenser
C. Capacitor motor D. Induction motor

Sample Question 4: Which part of a synchronous motor allows it to develop starting torque?
A. Cranking system B. Pulley
C. Amortisseur winding D. Pilot starter

4.8. Comparison Between a Synchronous Motor and an Induction Motor

• A synchronous motor is not a self-started motor while an induction motor is a self-

started motor.
• A synchronous motor requires a DC exciter while an induction motor does not.
• The speed of a synchronous motor is constant and is not affected by changes in load
while the speed of an induction motor decreases as load increases.
• The speed of an induction motor can be varied or controlled while a synchronous motor
is always constant and is equal to the synchronous speed.
• A synchronous motor can operate at all types of power factor while an induction motor
operates only at a lagging power factor.
• For a given horsepower, a synchronous motor is more expensive to manufacture than an
induction motor.
• Aside from being used to drive a mechanical load, synchronous motors are also used for
improving system power factor while an induction motor is limited only to drive
mechanical loads.

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 Problem Exercises:
1. A 3-phase Y-connected synchronous motor with a line-to-line voltage of 440V and a synchronous
speed of 900 rpm operates with a power of 9kW and a lagging power factor of 0.8. The synchronous reactance
per phase is 10 ohms. Determine the torque angle in electrical degrees.
a. 36.33 degrees b. 33.51 degrees c. 35.51 degrees d. 38.46 degrees
2. A 10Hp, 230V, 3-phase Y-connected synchronous motor has a reactance of 3 ohms per phase and a
negligible resistance. To what voltage must the motor is excited in order to deliver full load at unity power
factor and 90% efficiency.
a. 262V b. 254V c. 248V d. 242V
3. A 500Hp, 2200V, 3-phase star connected synchronous motor has a synchronous impedance of 0.3 +j3
ohms per phase. Determine the induced emf per phase if the motor works on full load with an efficiency of 94%
and a power factor of 0.8 leading.
a. 1360V b. 1354V c. 1402V d. 1522V
4. A 6.6kV, Y-connected synchronous motor has a reactance per phase of 10 ohms and a negligible
resistance. For a certain load, the motor draws 990kW at normal voltage. At this load, the induced emf per
phase is 5160V. Find the operating power factor.
a. 0.478 b. 0.502 c. 0.462 d. 0.518
5. A 2200V, 200Hp, 3-phase mesh connected synchronous motor is working on full load at an
efficiency of 0.88 and 0.8 pf leading. The armature reactance per phase is 5 ohms. Determine the induced emf
per phase. Neglect resistance.
a. 2377V b. 2345V c. 2380V d. 2307V
6. A 440V, single-phase synchronous motor is drawing a line current of 50A at 0.9 pf lagging. This
machine has an armature resistance and reactance of 0.8 and 10 ohms respectively. If stray power and excitation
losses amount to 500W and 800W respectively. Determine the Hp output of the motor.
a. 23.2 b. 20.4 c. 25.8 d. 18.5
7. A 3-phase star-connected synchronous motor draws 70A at 0.8 pf leading when connected from a
6.6kV, 60Hz, 3-phase source. At this load the machine operates with an efficiency of 90%. If the synchronous
impedance of the machine is 2+j5 ohms, determine the stray power losses.
a. 40.5kW b. 28.6kW c. 32.8kW d. 34.6kW
8. A 20Hp, 440V, 60Hz, 3-phase star-connected synchronous motor has an armature resistance per
phase of 0.4 ohm. It is giving its full load output at a power factor of 0.9 leading. If the stray power losses
amount to 500W, find the armature current.
a. 23.44A b. 25.28A c. 22.53A d. 20.67A
9. A 3-phase transmission line having a capacity of 10,000kVA serves as a balanced load that draws
5,000kW at a lagging power factor such that the transmission line is loaded to its capacity. An additional load
of induction motors operating at an average pf of 0.80 is connected to the line. In order to make use of the line
to its full capacity in active power, a synchronous condenser having losses of 300kW will be connected to the
line. What is the kVA rating of the synchronous motor required?
a. 11,158 b. 12,189 c. 13,205 d. 10,202
10. A 3-phase Y-connected synchronous motor with a line-to-line voltage of 440V and a synchronous
speed of 900 rpm operates with a power of 9kW and a lagging power factor of 0.8. The synchronous reactance
per phase is 10 ohms. The machine is operating with a rotor current of 5A. It is desired to continue carrying the
same load but to provide 5kVAR of power factor correction to the line. Determine the required rotor current to
do this.
a. 7.88A b. 8.06A c. 8.62A d. 8.28A

References:
Theraja, B.L. and Theraja, A.K. A Textbook of Electrical Technology in S.I. Units Volume II (AC and
DC Machines). MultiColour Illustrative edition. 2007.
Siskind, Charles S. Electrical Machines – Direct and Alternating Current. 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill
Book Company, New York. 1979.
Rojas, Romeo Jr. A. Complete Electrical Engineering Formulas and Principles. Benchmark Publishing,
Republic of the Philippines. 2004.
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