Classification of AC Motors 1.
Different A.C. motors may be classified as follows:
1) According to the number of phases
Single-phase
Three phase
2) According to speed
Constant speed
Variable speed
Adjustable speed.
3) According to principle of operation
A. Synchronous motors
I. Plain
II. Super
B. Asynchronous motors
I. Induction motors
a. Squirrel cage
i. Single
ii. Double
b. Slip ring (external resistance)
II. Commutator motors
a. Series
i. single-phase
ii. universal
b. Compensated
i. conductivity
ii. inductively
4) According to structural features
A. Open
B. Enclosed
C. Semi-enclosed
D. Ventilated
E. Pipe-ventilated
F. Riveted frame eye
G. Splash proof
H. Totally enclosed fan-cooled
I. Explosion proof
J. Water proof
Classification of AC Motors 2.
Classification based on principle of operation.
1. Synchronous Motors.
A. Plain
B. Super
2. Asynchronous Motors.
A. Induction Motors
I. Squirrel Cage
II. Slip-Ring (external resistance).
B. Commutator Motors
I. Series
II. Compensated
III. Shunt
IV. Repulsion
V. Repulsion-start induction
VI. Repulsion induction
Classification based on number of phases.
1. Single Phase
2. Three Phase
Classification based on speed of operation.
1. Constant Speed.
2. Variable Speed.
3. Adjustable Speed.
Classification based on structural features.
1. Open
2. Enclosed
3. Semi-enclosed
4. Ventilated
5. Pipe-ventilated
6. Riveted frame-eye
Overview of A.C. Motors.
Synchronous motors and it's uses.
These motors have the rotor (which is connected to the load) rotating at the same speed as the speed of
rotation of the stator current. In other words, we can say these motors don't have slip with respect to the
stator current. They are sometimes used not to drive the load but instead act as "synchronous
condenser", to improve the power factor of the local grid to which it is connected to. These kind of
motors are used even in high precision positioning devices like modern robots. They can also act as
stepper motors.
Asynchronous motors and it's uses.
The most common form of motor which is used in everyday life from pumping water up the overhead
tank to power plant boiler feed pumps, these kind of motors rule. These motors are very flexible to use
and matches the load demand almost for everything. The most widely used induction motors are very
important for many industries due to their load bearing capacity and flexibility. These motors, unlike
synchronous motors, slip when compared to the stator current field. They are generally used for various
types of pumps, compressors and acts as prime movers for many machineries.
Single and three phase motors and their uses.
The A.C.Motors can find their usage in two forms based on their power supply. The single phase
motors are generally found in low power requirements/domestic appliances like ceiling fans, mixer
grinders, portable power tools etc. The three phase motors are generally found in high power
requirements applications like power drives for compressors, hydraulic pumps, air conditioning
compressors, irrigation pumps and many more.
Constant, variable and adjustable speed motors.
As already said, A.C.Motors are highly flexible in many ways including their speed control. There are
motors which should be run at a constant speed for air compressors. Certain cooling water pumps
driven by a.c.motors can be run at two or three speeds by just switching the number of poles used. If
the number of poles are changed then the speed also changes. These serve best for sea water cooling
pumps in marine engine room applications & many power plants. The speed of the motors can also be
varied continuously by some electronic arrangements thus this can be suited for certain applications
like a ship's cargo pump, whose discharge rate has to be lowered as per the terminals requirement.
Varied structure motors.
These types of motors have different outer cage arrangements, depending upon the usage or any special
industrial requirement. For motors used in gas and oil terminals, the casing must be of intrinsically
safe, thus it may either have an enclosed casing or a pipe ventilated arrangement such that the sparks
produced inside the motor does not cause a fire outside it. Also many motors are totally enclosed as it
may be open to weather like those used in hydro-electric power plants.
