Effects of broken bars/end-ring connectors and airgap eccentricities on ohmic and core losses of induction motors in ASDs using a coupled finite element-state space method

In this paper, effects of rotor abnormalities such as broken squirrel-cage bars, broken cage connectors and airgap eccentricity on ohmic and core losses of induction motors are presented. In this investigation, a comprehensive time-stepping coupled finite element-state space (TSCFE-SS) model was fully utilized to compute the time-domain elemental flux density waveforms and various time-domain waveforms of motor winding currents useful for core loss and ohmic loss computations. Such investigation is feasible by use of the TSCFE-SS model due to its intrinsic nature and characteristics. The results obtained from the simulations of an example 1.2-HP induction motor clearly indicate that faults due to broken squirrel-cage bars/end-connectors can increase motor core losses in comparison to the normal case. The results also give the effect of saturation on the core loss distributions within the cross-section of the motor, and indicate the potential for possible excessive loss concentrations and consequent hot spots near zones of bar and connector breakages in the rotor. Effects of PWM inverter operation on motor losses are also studied.