Introduction

Introduction

In a particular circuit, if one of the circuit elements is variable, then depending upon its value, the circuit characteristics varies. As the value of the variable element is changed, the circuit parameters like current, power factor, power losses etc. also change. The locus of the extremity of the current phasor, obtained for various values of a variable element is called a locus diagram.

From the equivalent circuit of an induction motor, the motor can be treated as series R-L circuit where the element resistance of the circuit is variable which varies as slip s. Thus for variable load conditions, the resistance changes and hence the current drawn by the motor also changes. The locus diagram of such a current phasor is circular in nature and hence called circle diagram of a three phase induction motor. Using this diagram, all the performance characteristics of an induction motor like power factor, efficiency, stator losses, rotor losses, maximum output, maximum torque etc. can be predicted. Thus, a circle diagram is a graphical approach of predetermining the operating characteristics of an induction motor.

Let us prove that the locus diagram obtained for a current phasor is a circle, for a series R-L circuit with an element R as variable.