Overview
Torque, voltage, and current can be calculated from motor voltage equations and torque equations for estimating efficiency, but there exists the issue of difficulty in estimating iron loss, as well as accounting for the nonlinear magnetization characteristics of the iron core. Through simulations using FEA, however, efficiency maps that account for the effects of iron loss and nonlinear magnetization characteristics can be obtained with ease.
In this example, the efficiency map of a synchronous reluctance motor is created with loss ratios at each operating point also evaluated.
Efficiency Map and Power Factor Map
The efficiency map is displayed in Fig. 1, and the power factor map is displayed in Fig. 2.
Motor mode and generator mode efficiency can be understood from Fig. 1. It can be seen that the high-efficiency region for this motor on the motor mode extends to the high-speed area on the generator mode.
It can be seen from Fig. 2 that this motor has a power factor of 0.7 or less, which is particularly low in both the high-torque region and the low-torque region.
Loss Ratios at Each Operating Point
Copper loss decreases in accordance with load. It can be seen that the loss of both the stator core and the rotor core increases in accordance with rotation speed, with eddy current loss increasing in particular.