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Reduction of Starting Current in Large Induction Motors

Author

Listed:
  • Mathew Habyarimana

    (Discipline of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa)

  • David George Dorrell

    (School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 4041, South Africa)

  • Remmy Musumpuka

    (R&D Division, Icarus Avionics (Pty), Durban 4075, South Africa)

Abstract

Large induction motors can have a high inrush and run-up current during starting, often up to ten times the rated current. In weak supplies, this could be a problem, causing system stability issues and the voltage to dip below acceptable levels. In islanded systems, the capacity could be pulled below its maximum. There are several different starting methods possible, but they are often only suitable for smaller machines. One method not investigated is the use of parallel capacitor compensation during the starting because large induction motors are very inductive during the starting sequence, so that supplying reactive power may be more effective than supplying energy. This paper first investigates several different induction motors with increasing size and assesses their compensation requirements in terms of the reactive power requirement during starting. It is shown that they do generally become more inductive as they increase in size. It is illustrated, using simulations, that using parallel capacitors during starting can significantly reduce the starting current. The concept is tested using a small experimental motor. Series inductors are added to the motor to make it more inductive and look more like a larger machine. The experimental results confirm that the method works. It is also found that the parallel capacitors require series filters to prevent harmonic current, and these can be realized using inductors in series with the compensation capacitors. Point-on switching using solid-state relays was tested, and these can reduce the transient switch-on current over the first voltage cycle.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathew Habyarimana & David George Dorrell & Remmy Musumpuka, 2022. "Reduction of Starting Current in Large Induction Motors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-41, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:10:p:3848-:d:822328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vicente Biot-Monterde & Ángela Navarro-Navarro & Jose A. Antonino-Daviu & Hubert Razik, 2021. "Stray Flux Analysis for the Detection and Severity Categorization of Rotor Failures in Induction Machines Driven by Soft-Starters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Marcel Torrent & Balduí Blanqué, 2021. "Influence of Equivalent Circuit Resistances on Operating Parameters on Three-Phase Induction Motors with Powers up to 50 kW," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Ruslan Saifulin & Tomasz Pajchrowski & Iosiff Breido, 2021. "A Buffer Power Source Based on a Supercapacitor for Starting an Induction Motor under Load," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhou Ruhan & Nurulafiqah Nadzirah Binti Mansor & Hazlee Azil Illias, 2023. "Identification of Inrush Current Using a GSA-BP Network," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-22, February.

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