Controlling Number of Poles

Controlling Number of Poles

The method is called Pole Changing method of controlling the speed. In this method, it is possible to have one, two or four speeds in steps, by changing the number of stator poles. A continuous smooth speed control is not possible by this method.

The stator poles can be changed by following methods :

1. Consequent poles method

2. Multiple stator winding method

3. Pole amplitude modulation method.

1. Consequent Poles Method

In this method, connections of the stator winding are changed with the help of simple switching. Due to this, the number of stator poles get changed in the ratio 2:1. Hence either of the two synchronous speeds can be selected.

Consider the pole formation due to single phase of a three phase winding, as shown in the Fig. 7.7.1. There are three tapping points to the stator winding. The supply is given to two of them and third is kept open. 

It can be seen that current in all the parts of stator coil is flowing in one direction only. Due to this, 8 poles get formed as shown in the Fig. 7.7.1 (a). So synchronous speed possible with this arrangement with 50 Hz frequency is N_s = 750 r.p.m.

If now the two terminals to which supply was given earlier are joined together and supply is given between this common point and the open third terminal, the poles are formed as shown in the Fig. 7.7.1 (b).

It can be seen that the direction of current through two coils is different than the direction of current through remaining two. Thus upward direction is forming say S pole and downward say N. It can be observed that in this case only 4 poles are formed. So the synchronous speed possible is 1500 r.p.m. for 50 Hz frequency.

Thus series/parallel arrangements of coils can produce the poles in the ratio 2:1. But the speed change is in step and smooth speed control is not possible. Similarly the method can be used only for the squirrel cage type motors as squirrel cage rotor adjusts itself to same number of poles as stator which is not the case in slip ring induction motor. The method is used for the applications such as elevators, traction motors and small motors used to drive machine tools. 

2. Multiple Stator Winding Method

In this method instead of one winding, two separate stator windings are placed in the stator core. The windings are placed in the stator slots only but are electrically isolated from each other. Each winding is divided into coils to which, pole changing with consequent poles, facility is provided.

Thus giving supply to one of the two windings and using switching arrangement, two speeds can be achieved. Same is true for other stator winding. So in all four different speeds can be obtained.

The various limitations of this method are,

1. Can be applied to only squirrel cage motor.

2. Smooth speed control is not possible. Only step changes in speed are possible.

3. Two different stator windings are required to be wound which increases the cost of the motor.

4. Complicated from the design point of view.

Typical speed-torque characteristics of pole changing induction motor are shown in the Fig. 7.7.2.

3. Pole Amplitude Modulation Method

The basic disadvantage of other methods which is nonavailability of smooth speed control, is eliminated by this method. The ratio of two speeds in this method, need not be necessarily 2:1.

The basic principle of this method is the modulation of two sinusoidally varying m.m.f. waves, with different number of poles.

Consider sinusoidally distributed m.m.f. wave of one phase of the stator as,

 f(θ) - F sin (P/2 θ)

where          P = Number of poles

and    θ = Mechanical angle

This wave is modulated by another sinusoidal m.m.f. wave having P_M number of poles, expressed as, 

Thus the resultant wave is equivalent to two waves having two separate number of poles as,

P_l = P - PM and P₂ = P + PM

This is called suppressed carrier modulation.

If we succeed in suppressing one of the two poles then there exists rotating magnetic field with number of poles as P₁ or P₂. And while suppressing, the method can be used such that the resultant number of poles retained is as required from the speed point of view.

Now if the three stator windings are placed such that angle between their phase axes is (2π/3) r radians where r is an integer which is not divisible by 3 then the phase axes angle for modulated poles is given by,

Now to suppress one of the two poles, the angle between its phase axes must be multiple of 2π.

So if r and n are selected so as to satisfy one of the above relations, then either P₁ or P₂ get suppressed and field corresponding to other pole exists. So speeds corresponding to P poles without modulation and corresponding to either P₁ or P₂ with modulation, can be achieved. The negative sign in equation (7.7.1), gives suppression of P₁ and existence of P₂ = P + PM while positive sign in equation (7.7.1), gives suppression of P₂ and existence of p₁ = P - P_M poles.

For example, stator has 8 poles while values of n and r are selected as 1 and 4 respectively, r is not divisible by 3.

Let poles of modulating function P_M are 2.

From equation (7.7.1) we can see that,

Thus P₁ gets suppressed and we get poles P₂ = P + P_M = 10.

So two speeds corresponding to P and P₂ can be obtained.

Similarly if the poles of modulating function PM are 4 and n and r are selected as 1 and 2 then, 1

In this case P₂ gets suppressed and we get poles P₁ = P - P_M = 4

This method is advantageous as it reduces the size to a great extent and hence cost of the machine.

The limitation that it can be used only for squirrel cage motors still continues.

Key Point Practically the rectangular wave is used for modulation. This is achieved by dividing stator coil into P_M groups and then by dropping alternate group, other groups are connected in series opposition.

Example 7.7.1 A 50 Hz induction motor uses a pole amplitude modulation method to control the speed. The stator has 16 poles while the pole modulating function has 4 poles. At what two speeds motor can run ?

Solution :

P = 16 and P_M = 4

Let     n = 1 and r = 4

Thus as first equation with negative sign is satisfied, the P₁ poles are suppressed. So two possible speeds of motor are corresponding to P = 16 and P₂ = P + PM = 20.

N_s = 120 f / P = 120 × 50 / 16 = 375 r.p.m

N_s = 120 f / P₂ = 120 × 50 / 20 = 300 r.p.m

Review Questions

1. How the speed of the induction motor is controlled by controlling the number of stator poles ?

2. Explain the pole amplitude modulation method.

3. Explain the pole changing method of controlling the speed of induction motor. AU : May-13, Dec.-14,17, Marks 4

4. Explain in detail the speed control methods of induction motor. AU ; May-16, Marks 8

5. Explain the speed control methods of a three phase induction motor. AU ; Dec.-16,May-18, Marks 16