ELECTRICAL DRIVE By

Godfrey Benjamin Zulu

Chapter 1 and 2 Tutorial
[email protected]
1. Define Drive and Electric Drive. NOV/DEC 2013, NOV/DEC 2015, NOV/DEC 2016
Drive: A combination of prime mover, transmission equipment and mechanical working load is
called a drive.
Electric drive: An Electric Drive can be defined as an electromechanical device for converting
electrical energy to mechanical energy to impart motion to different machines and mechanisms for
various kinds of process control.
2. List out some examples of prime movers.
I.C Engines, Steam engine, Turbine or electric motors
3. List out some advantages of electric drives.
i. Availability of electric drives over a wide range of power a few watts to mega watts.
ii. Ability to provide a wide range of torques over wide range of speeds.
iii Electric motors are available in a variety of design in order to make them compatible to any
type of load
4. Give some examples of Electric Drives.
i. Driving fans, ventilators, compressors and pumps.
ii. Lifting goods by hoists and cranes.
iii. Imparting motion to conveyors in factories, mines and Warehouses
iv.Running excavators & escalators, electric locomotives trains, Cars trolley buses, lifts &
drum winders etc.
5. What are the types of electric drives? NOV/DEC 2009, NOV/DEC 2014
Group electric drives (Shaft drive), Individual Drives,
Multi motor electric drives.
6. Classify electric drives based on the means of control.
Manual, Semi automatic, Automatic.
7. What is a Group Electric Drive (Shaft Drive)? APRIL/MAY 2010
• This drive consists of single motor, which drives one or more line shafts supported on
bearings.
• The line shaft may be fitted with either pulleys & belts or gears, by means of which a
group
of machines or mechanisms may be operated.
8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Group drive(Shaft
drive)? NOV/DEC 2014
Advantages:
• A single large motor can be used instead of a number of small motors.
• The rating of the single motor may be appropriately reduced taking into
account the diversity factor
of loads. Disadvantages:
• There is no flexibility, Addition of an extra machine to the main shaft is
difficult.
• The efficiency of the drive is low, because of the losses occurring in
several transmitting mechanisms.
• The complete drive system requires shutdown if the motor, requires
servicing or repair.
• The system is not very safe to operate
• The noise level at the work spot is very high.
9. What is an individual electric drive? Give some examples.
In this drive, each individual machine is driven by a separate motor. This
motor also imparts motion to various other parts of the machine. Single
spindle drilling machine, Lathe machines etc.
10. What is a multi motor electric drive? Give some examples.
In this drive, there are several drives, each of which serves to activate on of
the working parts of the driven mechanisms. Metal cutting machine tools,
paper making machines, rolling mills, traction drive, Traveling cranes etc.,
11. What are the types Drive systems?
Electric Drives Mechanical Drives Electromechanical Drives Hydraulic
drives.
12. Give an expression for the losses occurring in a machine.
The losses occurring in a machine is given by W = Wc + x2 Wv Where
Wc = Constant losses
Wv = Variable losses at full load
X = load on the motor expressed as a function of rated load.
13. What are the assumptions made while performing heating &
cooling calculation of an
electric motor?
i. The machine is considered to be a homogeneous body having a
uniform temperature gradient. All the points at which heat generated
have the same temperature. All the points at which heat is dissipated are
also at same temperature.
ii. Heat dissipation taking place is proportional to the difference of
temperature of the body and surrounding medium. No heat is radiated.
iii. The rate of dissipation of heat is constant at all temperatures.
14. Indicate the importance of power rating & heating of electric
drives. NOV/DEC 2016
Power rating: Correct selection of power rating of electric motor is of
economic interest as it is associated with capital cost and running cost
of drives.
Heating : For proper selection of power rating the most important
consideration is the heating effect of load. In this connection various
forms of loading or duty cycles have to be considered.
15. How heating occurs in motor drives?
The heating of motor due to losses occurring inside the motor while
converting the electrical power into mechanical power and these losses
occur in steel core, motor winding & bearing friction.
16. What are the classes of duties?
1. Continuous duty
2. Short time duty operation of motor Main classes of duties
3. Intermittent periodic duty
4. Intermittent periodic duty with starting
5. Intermittent periodic duty with starting & braking
6. Continuous duty with intermittent periodic loading
7. Continuous duty with starting & braking
8. Continuous duty with periodic load changes
20. How will you classify electric drives based on the method of
speed control?
1. Reversible &non reversible in controlled constant speed
2. Reversible and non reversible step speed control
3. Reversible and non reversible smooth speed control
4. Constant predetermined position control
5. Variable position control
6. Composite control.
21. List out some applications for which continuous duty is
required. NOV/DEC 2013
Centrifugal pumps, fans, conveyors & compressors
22. Why the losses at starting is not a factor of consideration in a
continuous duty motor?
While selecting a motor for this type of duty it is not necessary to give
importance to the heating caused by losses at starting even though they
are more than the losses at rated load. This is because the motor does
not require frequent starting it is started only once in its duty cycle and
the losses during starting do not have much influence on heating.
23. What is meant by “short time rating of motor”?
Any electric motor that is rated for a power rating P for continuous operation can
be loaded for a short time duty (Psh) that is much higher than P, if the temperature
rise is the consideration.
24. What is meant by “load equalization”?
In the method of “load Equalization” intentionally the motor inertia is increased by
adding a flywheel on the motor shaft, if the motor is not to be reversed. For
effectiveness of the flywheel, the motor should have a prominent drooping
characteristic so that on load there is a considerable speed drop.
25. How a motor rating is determined in a continuous duty and variable load
?
1. Method of Average losses
2. Method of equivalent power
3. Method of equivalent current
4. Method of equivalent Torque
26. Define heating time constant & cooling time constant?
The time required to heat the machine parts to 63.3% of its final time constant.
The time required to cool the machine parts to 36.6% of cooling time constant.
NOV/DEC 2012
temperature rise is called as heating its final temperature fall is called as
27. What are the various function performed by an electric drive?
1. Driving fans, ventilators, compressors & pumps etc.,
2. Lifting goods by hoists & cranes
3. Imparting motion to conveyors in factories, mines & warehouses and
4. Running excavators & escalators, electric locomotives, trains, cars, trolley buses
and lifts etc.
28. What is duty factor?
The ratio of ON time (Ton) of the drive to total time period(Ton
+Toff) is called duty factor.
29. Mention the necessity of power rating? NOV/DEC 2009,
NOV/DEC 2012
Power rating of electric drives for particular operation is
important since, following reasons.
1. To get economy with reliability
2. To obtain the maximum efficiency on their full load without
any damaging.
30. Define four – quadrant operation?
A motor operate in two modes and braking. In motoring, it
converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, which
support its motion. In braking it works as a generator converting
mathematical energy into electrical energy and thus, opposes the
motion. Motor can provide motoring and braking operations for
both forward and reverse directions.
Exercise 1
A drive used in a hoist to raise and lower weights up to 400 kg
at
velocities up to ± 2 m/s. The weight hangs from a cable that is
wound on
𝑔a drum of radius of 0.4 m . The drum is driven by the drive
motor
through a gearbox that has an efficiency of 85% . The maximum
speed
of the motor is ± 1300rpm. It is required to:
(a) Sketch the system and find the nearest integer gearbox ratio
that will match the maximum speed of the motor to the
maximum
velocity of the hoist.
(b) Determine the torque and power provided by the motor
when
lifting the maximum weight at the maximum velocity.
(c ) Calculate the torque and power provided by the motor
whenlowering the maximum weight at the maximum velocity.
Solution
(a) The system is shown in Fig.1
(a) The system is shown in Fig. 1

Fig.10.1 System diagram of our Exercise

DRIVE MOTOR CHARACTERISTICS
1. Why a single phase induction motor does not self start?
When a single phase supply is fed to the single phase induction motor. Its stator winding
produces a flux which only alternates along one space axis. It is not a synchronously revolving
field, as in the case of a 2 or 3phase stator winding, fed from 2 or 3 phase supply.
2. What is meant by plugging?
The plugging operation can be achieved by changing the polarity of the motor there by
reversing the direction of rotation of the motor. This can be achieved in ac motors by changing
the phase sequence and in dc motors by changing the polarity.
3. Give some applications of DC motor.
Shunt : driving constant speed, lathes, centrifugal pumps, machine tools, blowers and fans,
reciprocating pumps
Series : electric locomotives, rapid transit systems, trolley cars, cranes and hoists, conveyors
Compound : elevators, air compressors, rolling mills, heavy planners.
4. What are the different types of electric braking? APRIL/MAY 2010, NOV/DEC 2013,
NOV/DEC 2014, NOV/DEC 2015
Dynamic or Rheostatic braking, Counter current or plugging and Regenerative braking
5. What is the effect of variation of armature voltage on N-T curve and how it can be
achieved?
The N-T curve moves towards the right when the voltage is increased. This can be achieved by
means of additional resistance in the armature circuit or by using thyristor power converter.
6. Compare electrical and mechanical braking
Brakes require frequent maintenance very little maintenance not smooth can be applied to hold
the system at any position cannot produce holding torque.
7. When does an induction motor behave to run off as a generator?
When the rotor of an induction motor runs faster than the stator field, the slip becomes negative.
Regenerative braking occurs and the K.E. of the rotating parts is return back to the supply as
electrical energy and thus the machine generates power.
8. Define slip.
S = Ns – Nr
Where, Ns = synchronous speed in rpm. Nr = rotor speed in rpm
S = Slip
9. Define synchronous speed.
It is given by Ns = 120f / p rpm. Where Ns = synchronous speed, p = no. of stator poles=supply
frequency in Hz
11. What is meant by regenerative braking?
In the regenerative braking operation, the motor operates as a generator, while it is still
connected to the supply here,the motor speed is grater that the synchronous speed. Mechanical
energy is converter into electrical energy, part of which is returned to the supply and rest as heat
in the winding and bearing.
12. Give some applications of DC motor.
Shunt: driving constant speed, lathes, centrifugal pumps, machine tools, blowers and fans,
reciprocating pumps
Series: electric locomotives, rapid transit systems, trolley cars, cranes and hoists, conveyors
Compound: elevators, air compressors, rolling mills, heavy planners.
13. Compare electrical and mechanical braking.
Brakes require frequent maintenance very little maintenance not smooth can be applied to hold
the system at any position cannot produce holding torque.
14. Differentiate cumulative and differential compound motors.
Cumulative
The orientation of the series flux aids the shunt flux Differential
Series flux opposes shunt flux
15. What is meant by mechanical characteristics? NOV/DEC 2009, APRIL/MAY 2010,
NOV/DEC 2013
A curve drawn between the parameters speed and torque.
16. What is meant by electrical characteristics?
A curve drawn between the armature current and armature torque.
17. What is meant by performance characteristics?
The graph drawn between the output power Vs speed, efficiency, current and torque.
18. What do you mean by Rheostatic braking? NOV/DEC 2016
In this braking armature is removed and connected across a variable rheostat.
20. Why the armature core in d.c machines is constructed with laminated steel sheets instead of solid
steel sheets?
Lamination highly reduces the eddy current loss and steel sheets provide low reluctance path to magnetic field.
21. Why commutator is employed in d.c.machines?
Conduct electricity between rotating armature and fixed brushes, convert alternating emf into unidirectional emf
(mechanical rectifier).
22. Distinguish between shunt and series field coil construction?
Shunt field coils are wound with wires of small section and have more no of turns. Series field coils are wound
with wires of larger cross section and have less no of turns.
23. How will you change the direction of rotation of d.c. Motor?
Either the field direction or direction of current through armature conductor is reversed.
24. What is back emf in d.c. motor? NOV/DEC 2012
As the motor armature rotates, the system of conductor come across alternate north and South pole magnetic
fields causing an emf induced in the conductors. The direction of the emf induced in the conductor is in
opposite to current. As this emf always opposes the flow of current in motor operation it is called as back emf.
25. Compare Slip ring and squirrel cage motor
Slip Ring Rotor Squirrel cage Rotor
26. Induction motor as a transformer?
Transformer is a device in which two windings are magnetically coupled and when one winding is excited by
a.c. supply of certain frequency, the e.m.f gets induced in the second winding having same frequency as that of
supply given given to the first winding. The winding of which supply is given is called primary winding while
winding in which e.m.f gets induced is called secondary winding.
27. What are the types of Single phase induction motors? NOV/DEC 2012
Split phase induction motor Capacitor start induction motor
Capacitor start capacitors run induction motor Shaded pole induction motor
28. List the advantage of squirrel cage I.M?
Cheaper
Light in weight Rugged in construction More efficient
Require less maintenance
Can be operated in dirty and explosive environments
29. What is back e.m.f in a D.C. Motor? State its expression.
Armature starts rotating, the main flux gets cut by the armature winding and an e.m.f gets induced in the
armature. This e.m.f opposes the applied d.c voltage and is called back e.m.f denoted as Eb.
30. Write the voltage equation of D.C. Motor.
V=Eb+IaRa. The back e.m.f is always less than supply voltage (Eb)
CONVENTIONAL AND SOLID STATE SPEED CONTROL OF
D.C.DRIVES
1. Give the expression for speed for a DC motor.
Speed N = k (V-IaRa)j
Where V = Terminal Voltage in volts Ia = Armature current in Amps
Ra = Armature resistance in ohms j= flux per pole.
2. What are the ways of speed control in dc motors? NOV/DEC
2014, NOV/DEC 2016
Field control - by varying the flux per pole. -for above rated speed
Armature control- by varying the terminal voltage -for below rated
speed
3. Give the Limitation of field control NOV/DEC 2012
a. Speed lower than the rated speed cannot be obtained.
b. It can cope with constant kW drives only.
c. This control is not suitable to application needing speed reversal.
4. What are the 3 ways of field control in DC series motor?
• Field diverter control
• Armature diverter control
• Motor diverter control
• Field coil taps control
• Series-parallel control
5. What are the main applications of Ward-Leonard system?
• It is used for colliery winders.
• Electric excavators
• In elevators
• Main drives in steel mills and blooming and paper mills.

6. What are the merits and demerits of Rheostatic control method?

• Impossible to keep the speed constant on rapidly changing loads.
• A large amount of power is wasted in the controller resistance.
• Loss of power is directly proportional to the reduction in speed. Hence efficiency is decreased.
• Maximum power developed is diminished in the same ratio as speed.
• It needs expensive arrangements for dissipation of heat produced in the controller resistance.
• It gives speed below normal, not above.

7. What are the advantages of field control method? NOV/DEC 2015

• More economical, more efficient and convenient.
• It can give speeds above normal speed.

8. Compare the values of speed and torque in case of motors when ii parallel and in series.
• The speed is one fourth the speed of the motor when in parallel.
• The torque is four times that produced by the motor when in parallel.

9. What is the effect of inserting resistance in the field circuit of a dc shunt motor on its speed and
torque?
For a constant supply voltage, flux will decrease, speed will increase and torque will increase.
10. While controlling the speed of a dc shunt motor what should be done to achieve a constant torque
drive?
Applied voltage should be maintained constant so as to maintain field strength
11. State the advantages of dc chopper drive. APRIL/MAY 2010, NOV/DEC 2015
• Dc chopper drive s has the advantages of
• High efficiency
• Flexibility in control
• Light weight
• Small size
• Quick response
12. Why chopper based DC drives give better performance than rectifier controlled drives.
• Less harmonic
• Low ripple content
• High efficiency
14.Name the solid state controllers used for the speed control of DC shunt motor and series
motor,
• Phase controlled rectifier fed DC drives
• Chopper fed DC drives

15. Give application of Ward-Leonard system of speed control

It is used for elevators, hoist control and for main drive in steel mills where motor of ratings
750KW to 3750KW are required.
16. What is the principle of the field control method of speed control of DC shunt motors?
The speed of the DC motor can be controlled by varying the field flux. This method of speed
control can be used for increasing the speed of motor above its rated speed, because the speed of
the motor is inversely proportional to the field flux.
17. What is the effect of inserting resistance in the field circuit of of DC shunt motor on its
speed and
torque?
• Speed increases above base speed.
• Torque decreases.

18. What are the two main methods adopted for speed control of DC motors?
Armature resistance control Flux control
19. What are the electrical parameters affecting the speed of the DC motors?
Armature voltage Field current
20. State the types of controlled rectifier Dc drives NOV/DEC 2016
1. Single phase controlled rectifier DC drives
(a)Half wave controlled rectifier Dc drives
(b)Half controlled rectifier DC drives
(c)Full controlled rectifier DC drives
2. Thee phase controlled rectifier fed DC drives
21. How can speed be controlled in a DC shunt motor? NOV/DEC 2013
• The DC shunt motor speed controlled by
(a) Armature voltage control (below rated speed) (b)Flux control method (above rated speed)
22. List the advantages of DC six pulse converter compared with three pulse converter
• Current should be continuous • Requires less filter circuits
• It gives two quadrant operation
23.What factors limit the maximum speed of field control Dc motor?
Field flux Armature voltage
24. State control strategies of choppers NOV/DEC 2012
Time ratio control Current limit control
25. What is meant by V/F control? NOV/DEC 2012, NOV/DEC 2013
When the frequency is reduced the input voltage must be reduced proportionally so as to
maintain constant flux. Otherwise the core will get saturated resulting in excessive iron loss and
magnetizing current. This type of induction motor behavior is similar to the working of dc series
motors.
26. What is static Ward – Leonard drive? NOV/DEC 2009
Controlled rectifiers are used to get variable dc voltage from an ac source of fixed voltage.
Controlled rectifiers fed dc drives are known as “static Ward – Leonard drive”.
27. What is meant by voltage control in induction motor? and where it is applicable?
In Induction motor speed can be controlled by varying the stator voltage. This can be done by
using transformer. This method is called voltage control. This is suitable only for controlling the
speed below rated value.
28. What is meant by armature control? NOV/DEC 2016
The armature having controller resistance in series during the speed control by varying the
controller resistance R, the potential drop across the armature is varied. Hence the speed of the
motor also varied. This method of speed control is applicable for speed less than no load speed.
29. What is meant by flux control (or) field control method?
By varying the field flux the speed can be controlled is called flux control. This method can be
used for increasing the speed of the motor is inversely proportional to the field flux
30. In which type of control the field current and armature current control?
i).For armature control method (or) voltage control method the field current is kept constant
ii).For field control (or) flux control the armature current kept constant
31. What is Slip-Power recovery system? NOV/DEC 2009, APRIL/MAY 2010
The slip power can be recovered to the supply source can be used to supply an additional motor
which is mechanically coupled to the main motor. This type of drive is known as slip-power
recovery system
Assignment Q1
A variable speed d.c. drive has rated power of 10 kW,rated speed of 1500 rpm
drives a load that comprises a constant load of TL = 30 Nm. The inertia of the
drive system is 0.10 kg.m2. Calculate the time taken to accelerate the load
from zero to 800 rpm , assuming the drive develops rated torque duringthe
acceleration phase.

Assignment Q2
An induction motor directly connected to a 400V, 50Hz supply utility has a rated
torque of 30Nm that occurs at a speed of 2940 rpm. The motor drives a fan load
that can be approximated by: TL = B . ωm. where B = 0.05 Nm/rad/s, and the rated
speed of the motor is 3000 rpm. Stating any assumption made, calculate the speed,
in equilibrium position at which the torque developed by the motor is equal to the
load torque.

Assignment Q 3
Explain in detail the Various electrical drives Used in Zambian Industries

Assignment Due Date 30th September 2024