Estimation of Copper and Iron Losses in a Three-Phase Induction Motor using Finite Element Analysis

The present work proposed a methodology to estimate the iron and copper losses of a three- phase, squirrel cage induction motor using a two - dimensional finite element analysis software (Maxwell 2D-V16), with including the three dimensional effect of stator end winding, rotor end ring, and rotor bars skewing by coupling with RMxprt software. The modeling is done based on the design documents of a 2.2 kW, 2 pole test motor. The accuracy of model results was verified successfully by comparing its results of rated current and torque with motor nameplate data. The values of iron and copper losses estimated by Maxwell 2D at full load condition were compared with that extracted from solving the motor equivalent circuit parameters, and that taken from RMxprt, with a good agreement. The results obtained for both copper and iron losses will make a good roadmap for the motor designers, and operators to achieve the goal of an efficient induction motor operation.