Skip to main content

SPEED CONTROL OF PERMANENT SPLIT CAPACITOR MOTORS

The speed of a permanently split capacitor motor can be adjusted by connecting it to a variable voltage source such as an auto-transformer. The limitation of this method is that the starting torque developed is very low, especially when the motor is started on low speed. Another limitation is that speed is sensitive to voltage changes on low speed connections. Further speed varies considerably for different loading conditions of the motor.

The motor can be started in three different ways using an auto-transformer as shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1 (a) the voltage across the main winding and the auxiliary winding are varied simultaneously resulting in low starting torque for low speed operation. This shortcoming, however, can be overcome by first starting the motor on high speed and then stepping it down to low speed as shown in Figure 1 (a).
Good starting torque at all speeds can be obtained if the auxiliary winding is connected across the mains supply and voltage adjustment is provided only for the main winding as shown in Figure 1 (b).

In the third method of connections shown in Figure 1 (c), the two windings are connected to a tapped auto transformer so that any voltage change across the main winding is accompanied by an inverse change across the auxiliary winding. This method with a properly designed motor can be applied to an installation whose speed should not be sensitive to variations of normal line voltage.
Figure 1 Voltage control method for speed adjustment of split capacitor motors
In another design of split motor a special winding arrangement is made to eliminate the requirement of an auto transformer. The motor in this case, in addition to the main and the auxiliary windings, is provided with a so called intermediate winding. The intermediate winding so provided is in space phase with the main winding. The main and the intermediate windings occupy the same slots, the later placed directly over the former. They need not have the same number of turns. The wire of the intermediate winding is invariably smaller in size than the main winding. Two different connections for this type of motor design are shown in Figure 2 (a and b).
Figure 2 Speed control of split capacitor motor with intermediate winding
The connection scheme shown in Figure 2 (a) is generally used for 110 volt motors. The main and the intermediate winding are connected in series across the auxiliary winding and the capacitor. The terminal of SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) switch H and L are wired to the intermediate winding as shown in Figure 2(a).

Connections shown in Figure 2 (b) are used for 230 voltage motors.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PRIMARY SECONDARY AND TERTIARY FREQUENCY CONTROL IN POWER SYSTEMS

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Frequency Control in Power Systems Author: Engr. Aneel Kumar Keywords: frequency control, primary frequency control, automatic generation control (AGC), tertiary control, load-frequency control, grid stability. Frequency control keeps the power grid stable by balancing generation and load. When generation and demand drift apart, system frequency moves away from its nominal value (50 or 60 Hz). Grids rely on three hierarchical control layers — Primary , Secondary (AGC), and Tertiary — to arrest frequency deviation, restore the set-point and optimize generation dispatch. Related: Power System Stability — causes & mitigation Overview of primary, secondary and tertiary frequency control in power systems. ⚡ Primary Frequency Control (Droop Control) Primary control is a fast, local response implemented by generator governors (dro...

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CORONA EFFECT IN TRANSMISSION LINES | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING GUIDE

Advantages and Disadvantages of Corona Effect in Power Systems In high-voltage overhead transmission lines , the corona effect plays a critical role in system performance. Corona occurs when the air around a conductor becomes ionized due to high electric stress. While often seen as a drawback because of power losses and interference , it also provides certain engineering benefits . This article explains the advantages and disadvantages of corona effect in detail, with examples relevant to modern electrical power systems. ✅ Advantages of Corona Effect Increase in Virtual Conductor Diameter Due to corona formation, the surrounding air becomes partially conductive, increasing the virtual diameter of the conductor. This reduces electrostatic stress between conductors and minimizes insulation breakdown risks. Related Reading: Electrostatic Fields in High Voltage Engineering Reduction of Transient Surges Corona acts like a natural cushion for sudden ...

CASCADED TRANSFORMERS METHOD FOR GENERATING AC HIGH VOLTAGE

High-Frequency AC High Voltage Generation Using Cascaded Transformers Author: Engr. Aneel Kumar Figure 1: Infographic representation of cascaded transformers method for generating high AC voltages. Introduction In high voltage engineering , generating very high alternating current (AC) voltages is essential for testing equipment like insulators, circuit breakers, power cables, and other apparatus. One common and effective method for producing such voltages is the cascaded transformers method . This technique uses a series connection of specially designed test transformers , where the secondary of one transformer feeds the primary of the next. In this way, voltages are built up step by step, achieving levels in the range of hundreds of kilovolts (kV) or even megavolts (MV). Working Principle The principle of cascaded connection relies on the fact that each...

Breaker Schemes in Substations

Breaker Schemes in Substations — Types, Design, Advantages, Disadvantages, and Comparison Author: Engr. Aneel Kumar Figure 1: Infographic overview of breaker schemes commonly used in substations. Introduction The breaker scheme or busbar arrangement in a substation defines how incoming feeders, outgoing feeders, and power transformers are connected to the bus. The choice of scheme has a direct impact on system reliability, maintainability, safety, and cost . A simple bus scheme is economical but vulnerable to outages, while advanced schemes such as breaker-and-a-half or double-bus/double-breaker provide very high reliability but at much higher cost and design complexity. Engineers select breaker schemes considering fault tolerance, maintenance needs, space requirements, expansion possibilities, protection coordination, and capital investment . Below, we explain eac...

Advantages of Per Unit System in Power System Analysis | Electrical Engineering

  Advantages of Per Unit System in Power System Analysis In electrical power engineering, the per unit (p.u.) system is one of the most widely used techniques for analyzing and modeling power systems. It is a method of expressing electrical quantities — such as voltage, current, power, and impedance — as fractions of chosen base values rather than their actual numerical magnitudes. This normalization technique provides a universal language for system calculations, minimizing errors, simplifying transformer modeling, and enabling consistency across multiple voltage levels. Because of these benefits, the per unit system is essential in fault analysis, load flow studies, transformer testing, and short-circuit calculations . ⚡ What is the Per Unit System? The per unit system is defined as: Q u a n t i t y ( p u ) = A c t u a l   V a l u e B a s e   V a l u e Quantity_{(pu)} = \dfrac{Actual \ Value}{Base \ Value} Q u an t i t y ( p u ) ​ = B a se   ...

SYMMETRICAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS

Unbalanced three phase systems can be split into three balanced components, namely Positive Sequence (balanced and having the same phase sequence as the unbalanced supply), Negative Sequence (balanced and having the opposite phase sequence to the unbalanced supply) and Zero Sequence (balanced but having the same phase and hence no phase sequence). These are known as the Symmetrical Components or the Sequence Components and are shown in figure 2.10. The phase components are the addition of the symmetrical components and can be written as follows.  a = a 1 + a 2 + a 0 b = b 1 + b 2 + b 0 c = c 1 + c 2 + c 0 The unknown unbalanced system has three unknown magnitudes and three unknown angles with respect to the reference direction. Similarly, the combination of the 3 sequence components will also have three unknown magnitudes and three unknown angles with respect to the reference direction. Thus the original unbalanced system effectively has 3 complex unknown quan...

Comprehensive Guide to Static Var Compensators (SVC): Mechanisms, Configurations, and Applications

  Introduction In modern power systems, voltage stability and reactive power management are critical for ensuring efficient and reliable operation. Static Var Compensators (SVCs), a key component of Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS), address these challenges by dynamically controlling reactive power in AC transmission networks. This article explores SVCs in-depth, including their mechanisms, configurations, applications, and impact on power systems. Keywords: Static Var Compensator Applications, SVC Voltage Regulation Systems, Reactive Power Management Solutions, Harmonic-Free Power Systems, Dynamic Voltage Stabilization Technologies. Understanding Static Var Compensators (SVC) What is an SVC? A Static Var Compensator is a shunt-connected device used to regulate voltage by controlling reactive power in AC systems. Unlike traditional solutions like synchronous condensers, SVCs leverage power electronics for faster and more precise responses to voltage fluctuations. How SVC Wo...