1.
TESTS ON 3-PHASE INDUCTION MOTORS
EXP.NO1.1: DATE:
BRAKE TEST ON 3-PHASE SQUIRREL CAGE INDUCTION MOTOR
OBJECTIVE: Experimentally determine the performance characteristics of a three phase induction motor
using a brake test setup.
LEARNING OUTCOME: To obtain the performance characteristics of a 3 - phase squirrel cage induction
motor by conducting brake test and analyzing the collected data, understanding the relationships between
various motor parameters like speed, torque, and power Factor, efficiency...etc
THEORY:
BRAKE TEST:
The brake test on induction motor is performed to compute its complete performance i.e torque, slip,
efficiency, powerfactor.etc. Mechanical loading is the most common type of method in laboratories.
A brake drum (i.e. pulley and belt arrangement) with spring balance on both sides is fixed to the shaft
of the motor. By tightening the belt on the drum and adjusting spring tension, motor can be loaded from no
load to full load. The net force exerted at the brake drum in Kg is obtained from the readings of the spring
tensions.
When induction motor running at no load, it operates at speed which is closed to synchronous speed
however as the load on the motor increases the speed of the motor decreases slightly and slip increases.
The increased load requires the motor to draw more current which in turn increases the torque opposing the
motor rotation. The power factor of lightly loaded 3Ø induction motor is very low and improves from no
load to full load.
CALCULATIONS:
1. Power input (PI) = Wattmeter reading (W1+W2) X multiplying factor.
2. Torque, T= S1-S2* g * r N-m Where ‘r’ is the effective radius of the brake drum.
3. Output, PO = 2 NT/60.Watts.
4. %Slip, S= [Ns – N] / NS *100
5. Power Factor (CosØ) = (PI ÷3VLIL)
6. Efficiency % = Output/Input*100
Where
1. Ns = 120f/P (f= frequency of power supply, P= No. of poles of the motor) in RPM
2. N= Rated speed of the motor in RPM
3. S1 and S2 = spring balances or disk balances readings in Kgs
4. r = circumference of the brake drum (d)/2 in meters.
5. g = Gravitational constant = 9.81
NAME PLATE DETAILS: 3Ø Squirrel cage induction motor:
Parameter Rating
HP/KW
Voltage
Current
Speed
APPARATUS:
S. No. Item Type Range Quantity
1 Ammeter MI 0-10A 01
2 Voltmeter MI 0-600V 01
3 Wattmeter Dynamo meter(UPF) 1Ø,0-600V/10A 02
4 DOL Starter 600V/10A 01
5 Tachometer Digital 0-5000 RPM 01
6 Connecting wires Required
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
PROCEDURE:
1. Make the connections as per the circuit diagram.
2. Start the 3-Φ IM on no Load by means of DOL Starter.
3. Note down all meters reading and the speed at no load.
4. Apply mechanical load by tightening the belt on the brake drum and note down the readings of the
meters, spring balances, and the speed.
5. Repeat the above step-4 until the motor draws full load current.
6. Calculate the torque, slip, output, efficiency and power factor for each set of readings as per the
modelcalculations.
7. Draw the performance curves of Output Vs , T, N, Ia, and p.f on one graph sheet
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Connections must be made tight.
2. Before giving the supply must observe that no loads on the motor brake drum.
3. Before making or breaking the circuit, supply must be switched off
OBSERVATIONS:
Reading ( W2)
Output Power
Reading (W1)
Reading (VL)
Power Factor
% Efficiency
Reading (IL)
Input power
balance (S1)
balance (S2)
Torque (T)
Wattmeter
Wattmeter
Voltmeter
Speed (N)
Ammeter
(W1+W2)
(CosØ)
% Slip
Spring
Spring
(S1-S2)
S.No
()
1
2
3
4
5
MODEL GRAPH:
RESULT:
Signature of the Faculty
PRE-EXPERIMENT QUESTIONS
1. At no load induction motor has possible power factor as _________
a) 0.2
b) 0.5
c) 0.65
d) 0
2. In terms of slip, the actual speed (N) of the induction motor can be expressed as
a. Ns (1-s)
b. Ns (s-1)
c. Ns / (1-s)
d. Ns / (s-1)
3. The synchronous speed of an induction motor is defined as
a) Natural speed at which a magnetic field rotates
b) The speed of a synchronous motor
c) The speed of an induction motor at no load
d) None of these
4. When an induction motor is loaded from no load to full load, its speed and slip
a. Increases, decreases
b. Decreases, increases
c. Both increases
d. Both decreases
5. The principle of operation of three phase induction motor is most similar to that of a
a. capacitor start induction run motor
b. synchronous motor
c. transformer with shorted secondary
d. repulsion start induction motor
POST-EXPERIMENT QUESTIONS:
1. Why starter is used? What are different types of starters?
2. Compare a slip ring induction motor with cage induction motor?
3. What are the disadvantages of this method?
KEY COMPETENCIES:
Select the proper AC supply voltage
Choose the proper range of voltmeter, ammeter and rheostat.
Connect the circuit as per the circuit diagram.
Ensure that all the instruments are connected in proper polarity.
Start the Motor with the DOL starter.
Note the readings of speed N, current I and spring balance for a particular load.
Pour water in the break drum carefully.
Check the speed and maintain it constant by means of field regulator before taking every reading.
Note readings by varying loads on the motor upto rated current.
Calculate the torque, input, output and efficiency.
Draw the graph between Output Vs efficiency, speed, current and power factor.
ANSWERS FOR PRE-TEST QUESTIONS:
1. a 2. b 3. a 4. b 5. c
EVALUATION:
Marks Marks
Description
Allotted Awarded
Identification 3
operation 3
Performance / result &
4
viva-voce.
TOTAL 10
DIGITAL INFORMATION:
Topic Web link QR code
Brake test on
3-phase
squirrel cage https://youtu.be/VB6hRetA2nM?si=dhVWdkGTgZQSAvDp
induction
motor
