Electrical – Demostration of relation between Synchronous speed and Line frequency

Synchronous speed, n1 = (120 * fn)/p where p = poles

Synchronous speed, n1 = (60 * fn)/p where p = pole pairs

Most text book presentations perform calculations using poles, but some use pole pairs.

In an induction motor, the rotor poles are formed by the action of the stator magnetic field. The number of rotor poles must always match the number of stator poles. For most other types of motors, the rotor is constructed so that the number of rotor poles matches the number of stator poles.

In induction motors, the slip at the rated frequency and load is between about 1.5% and 3% of synchronous speed for "standard" motors. To calculate the number of poles, use the formula to find the synchronous speed that is about 1.5% to 3% higher than the loaded speed. For "high slip" motor designs, the synchronous speed might be as much as 15% above the loaded speed. A wound-rotor motor with external resistance could operate over a wider speed range, but should have a speed rating stated without external resistance. In that case, the loaded speed would probably be 3% to 5% below the synchronous speed.

Single-phase motors generally have higher slip at full load than three-phase motors, but most of them will have 3% to 5% rated slip. Shaded-pole motors may be a little higher.

As the formula says, the synchronous speed is determined only be the frequency and number of poles. The operating speed is reduced below the synchronous speed by slip. Slip at rated torque is about 2 to 3 percent for a standard squirrel-cage motor. A high-slip motor could have up to about 8% slip at rated torque. Slip with no load is nary zero. From no-load to rated load, slip is fairly linearly proportional to torque.

Induction motors are generally designed to operate close to saturation at rated voltage and will overheat if the voltage is too high. If the voltage is reduced, the maximum torque will decrease approximately proportional to voltage squared. The slip will increase. To the extent that the motor can tolerate operation at increased slip, the speed can be reduced by reducing the voltage. That method of reducing speed is of limited use.

Normally changing between delta and star connection is used only for accommodating two possible supply voltages and for star-delta starting as a means of limiting the starting current by reducing the voltage for a few seconds while the motor is coming up to speed.

If a motor is designed to operate at a certain voltage with the star connection, connecting the motor in delta at the same voltage will cause saturation and overheating.

A the rated voltage for the star connection is 1.732 x the rated voltage for the delta connection. The rated current for the star connection is .577 x the rated current for the delta connection. The input kVA is about the same for either connection to the proper voltage for that connection. The peak torque, rated torque, rated slip and other torque vs. speed parameters are the same for both connections.