High fidelity equivalent circuit representation of induction motor determined by finite elements for electrical vehicle drive applications

The paper presents the methodology for determination of an induction motor suitable for harmonic representation on inverter supply. Harmonic iron losses are considered by convenient modifications of the standard equivalent circuit while the parameter variations for different operating conditions are determined by finite element modelling. The proposed motor representation is particularly important in cases that the drive efficiency is of major concern over a wide range of operating conditions such as in electrical vehicle applications. The method is illustrated with respect to an experimental set-up involving a 1.5 kW squirrel cage induction motor supplied by a PWM inverter.