This document discusses synchronous motor drives. Synchronous motors run at a constant synchronous speed when powered by AC current, but drives are used to make starting, pulling in, and braking smoother. Synchronous motors are not self-starting because their rotor cannot match the rotating magnetic field. They are started as induction motors until near synchronous speed, then DC field is applied. Pull in completes when the rotor matches synchronous speed. Dynamic braking is used by disconnecting the motor and connecting it to resistors, causing it to act as a generator and dissipate energy in the resistors.

1. Presented by
Dr. R. RAJA, M.E., Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor, Department of EEE,
Muthayammal Engineering College, (Autonomous)
Namakkal (Dt), Rasipuram – 637408
MUTHAYAMMAL ENGINEERING COLLEGE
(An Autonomous Institution)
(Approved by AICTE, New Delhi, Accredited by NAAC, NBA & Affiliated to Anna University),
Rasipuram - 637 408, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu, India.
Synchronous Motor Drives

2. Synchronous Motor Drives
 As the name suggests the synchronous motors rotates at synchronous speed.
The main advantage of synchronous motors are that they run on 3 AC supply
and DC supply is given to the rotor when they run on synchronous speed the
loss is very minimal.
 We can say that if the synchronous motors are designed to run only at rated
synchronous speeds, then what is the use of introducing drives to them.
 The answer is pretty simple, synchronous motor drives makes the starting,
pull in and braking process smooth and without any problems. We shall discuss
about them one by one.
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3. Starting Synchronous Motors
 The problem with synchronous motors are that they are not self-starting. Before
discussing the starting method of this motor, we should know about the type of
supply and the rotor and the stator of the motor briefly.
 The stator of synchronous motors are similar to that of an induction motors but
the only difference lies in the rotor, the rotor of the synchronous motors are
given DC supply.
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4.  Now before knowing, how the synchronous motors are started, we should know
why they are not self started?
 The answer can be given as, when 3 phase supply is given to the stator, there is
a rotating magnetic flux which rotates at synchronous speed, and if the rotor is
also given DC supply, rotor acts as a magnetic flux which rotates at
synchronous speed, and if the rotor is also given DC supply, rotor acts as a
magnet having two salient poles.
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Contd..

5.  As the rotor is at standstill position, it cannot follow the magnetic field which is
rotating at synchronous speed.
 The rotor stacks at its position because the opposite poles move so rapidly that
the rotor locks, this is the reason why synchronous motors are not self starting.
Now coming to the point how synchronous motors are started.
 At first the synchronous motors are started as a normal induction motors, the
rotor of the motor is not given DC supply, when the motor reaches the rotor and
pull in takes place, which is discussed later.
 Another method of starting the synchronous motor drives is by external
motor.
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Contd..

6.  In this method the rotor of the synchronous motor is rotated by an external
motor and when the speed of the rotor reaches near synchronous speed, the DC-
field is switched on and pull in takes place. In this method, the starting torque is
very low and it is not very popular method also.
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Contd..

7. Pull in of Synchronous Motors
 When the rotor of the synchronous motors reaches near synchronous speed,
then the DC field supply is switched on and the pull in process begins.
 As during switching on the DC supply due to the phase angle and torque angle
there are various disturbances seen in the motor and there are several slip of
poles of air-gap flux is also seen.
 As the pull in process is completed the rotor acquires synchronous speed. The
complete pull in as fast as possible the DC supply should be switched on at the
most favorable angle.
 Like when the synchronous motor is running as induction motor, the DC supply
should be fed when the induction motor is at top speed, this will be the best
moment because the speed difference will be least at that point of time.
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8. Braking of Synchronous Motors
 As we know, there are three types of braking i.e, regenerative, dynamic and
plugging type braking. But for synchronous motor drives only dynamic
braking can be applied though plugging can be applied theoretically.
 Regenerative braking cannot be applied to them as they need higher speed than
synchronous speed. Dynamic braking is done by disconnecting the motor from
supply and connecting it across a three phase resistor.
 At that time the motor works as a synchronous generator and energy is
dissipated at the resistors. Plugging is not used for synchronous motors as high
plugging current can cause severe disturbance and damage in line.
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9. Thank You
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