Reduction of Starting Current in Large Induction Motors

Mathew Habyarimana, David George Dorrell and Remmy Musumpuka
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Mathew Habyarimana: Discipline of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
David George Dorrell: School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 4041, South Africa
Remmy Musumpuka: R&D Division, Icarus Avionics (Pty), Durban 4075, South Africa

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-41

Abstract: Large induction motors can have a high inrush and run-up current during starting, often up to ten times the rated current. In weak supplies, this could be a problem, causing system stability issues and the voltage to dip below acceptable levels. In islanded systems, the capacity could be pulled below its maximum. There are several different starting methods possible, but they are often only suitable for smaller machines. One method not investigated is the use of parallel capacitor compensation during the starting because large induction motors are very inductive during the starting sequence, so that supplying reactive power may be more effective than supplying energy. This paper first investigates several different induction motors with increasing size and assesses their compensation requirements in terms of the reactive power requirement during starting. It is shown that they do generally become more inductive as they increase in size. It is illustrated, using simulations, that using parallel capacitors during starting can significantly reduce the starting current. The concept is tested using a small experimental motor. Series inductors are added to the motor to make it more inductive and look more like a larger machine. The experimental results confirm that the method works. It is also found that the parallel capacitors require series filters to prevent harmonic current, and these can be realized using inductors in series with the compensation capacitors. Point-on switching using solid-state relays was tested, and these can reduce the transient switch-on current over the first voltage cycle.

Keywords: induction motors; starting; inrush current; power system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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