Load Test of Three-phase Induction Motor

Introduction to Three-phase Induction Motor Load Testing:

Three-phase induction motor is one of the most common types in
industrial applications due to its high efficiency and ability to operate
heavy equipment reliably. It is widely used in applications that require
the ability to withstand large loads, such as pumps, compressors, and
fans.

Load Test is one of the basic tests performed on induction motors to

verify their performance under actual operating conditions. The purpose
of this test is to evaluate the efficiency of the motor, and verify its ability
to deliver the required power when loaded with different loads. The
motor is operated under gradually increasing loads, and its performance
such as speed, torque, electric current, and power consumption are
recorded.
During the load test, the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the
motor are studied, such as:
1. Efficiency: The ratio of mechanical power output to electrical power
input.
١

2. Slip: The difference between synchronous speed and rotor speed,

which is an indicator of the motor's efficiency in transmitting power.

3. Temperature Rise: To verify the motor’s ability to operate for extended

periods under load without overheating.

The load test contributes to a comprehensive determination of the

motor’s performance, helping engineers and operators ensure that the
motor operates effectively and efficiently under daily operating
conditions.

1
Aim:٢
(a) Perform load test on 3-phase induction motor.(b) Compute Torque,
Output power, Input power, Efficiency, Input power factor and Slip for
every load setting and to determine how speed, efficiency, power factor,
stator current torque, and
slip of an induction motor vary with load.
Plot the following performance curves:
i)Efficiency Vs, ii)Output power, ii) Torque Vs
Output power, (iii) Line current Vs. Output power, (iv)Power factor Vs.
Output, (v) Slip Vs
Output power, and (vi) Torque Vs. Speed

Theory:
The load test on induction motor is performed to compute its complete
performance i.e.
torque, slip, efficiency, power factor etc. During this test, the motor is
operated at rated voltage
and frequency and normally loaded mechanically by brake and pulley
arrangement from the
observed data, the performance can be calculated, following the steps
given below.

- Slip ( ):
The speed of rotor (Nr) droops slightly as the load on the motor is
increased. The
synchronous speed (Ns) of the rotating magnetic field is calculated,
based on the number of
poles, P and the supply frequency (f).
= / in r.p.m
=( − )/
Normally, the range of slip at full load is from 2 to 5 percent.

- Torque:
Mechanical loading is the most common type of method employed in
laboratories, A brake

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drum is coupled to the shaft of the motor and the load is applied by
tightening the belt, provided
on the brake drum. The net force exerted at the brake drum in kg is
obtained from the readings S1
and S2 of the spring balances. Thus as the speed of motor does not vary
appreciably with load
torque will increase with increasing load.
= ∗ ( . )
: ℎ ℎ ( . )
( )=( − ) .∗ . ( = )
: ℎ ( = )٣
- Output power ( ):
The output power in watts developed by the motor is given b:
Output power = Torque x Speed
= ∗ ( )

- Speed:
When the induction motor is on NO-LOAD speed is slightly below the
synchronous speed.
The current due to induced emf in the rotor winding is responsible for
production of torque
required at NO-LOAD.
As the load is increased the rotor speed is slightly reduced. The emf
induced in the rotor causes
the current increased to produce higher torque, untill the torque
developed is equal to torque
required by load on motor.

= / ( / )
Where : ( . . )

- Input power ( ):
Input power is measured by the two wattmeter (W1 and W2), properly
connected in the circuit:
=( + )

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- Efficiency:
Percentage efficiency of the motor,
ŋ% = / *100
Full load efficiency of 3 phase induction motor lies in the range of 72 %
(for small motors) to 82
% (for very large motors).

Summury of Calculaions:
= ∗ ( . )
: ℎ ℎ ( . )
= ( 1− 2) .∗ 9.8 ( = )
: ℎ ( = )
=2 /60 ( /)
Where : ( . . )
= ∗ ( ) Output power of motor
= √3 ∗ ∗ ∗ ( ) Input power of motor, this value can
be taken directly from
the wattmeter.
ŋ% = / ∗ 100 Efficiency of motor

Procedure:
1- Connect the circuit as per fig. 2.
2- Ensure that the motor is unloaded and the variac of autotransformer is
set at zero output voltage.
3- Switch-on 3 phase AC mains and start the motor at reduced applied
voltage.
4- Increase the applied voltage, till its rated value.
5- Take-down the readings of all the meters and the speed under no load
running in table (1).

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6- Increase the load on the motor gradually by turning of the hand
wheels, thus tighten the belt.
7- Record the readings of all the meters and the speed at every setting of
the load in table (1).
8- Observation may be continued upto the full load current rating of the
motor.
9- Reduce the load on the motor and finally unload it completely.
10- Switch-off the supply to stop the motor.
11- Measure the radius of the pulley (R) in (meter)

Fig. 2: Schematic diagram for load test on Three Phase Induction Motor

5
Report:
1- Complete the calculations of efficiency of the motor in table (1).

Sol/

Vin(v) Iin(A) Pin S1 S2 F(N) Ts N S Pout ŋ% R

(watt) (N.m) (rpm) (Watt)
(rad/s)

380 2.5 1578 0 0 0 0 1497 156.7 0.002 0 0 0.055

380 3 1310 13.9 9.2 46.06 2.53 1461 150.9 0.039 381.7 29.13 0.055

380 3.5 1579 20 8.9 110.74 6.09 1401 146.8 0.065 894.012 56.61 0.055

377 4 2089 20 8.7 198.94 10.93 1370 143.4 0.086 1567.3 75.02 0.055

Table (1): Reading of the load test of three-phase IM

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