Asynchronous motors - the heat of the rotor

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the performance of asynchronous motors, specifically focusing on the relationship between rotor resistance and heat generation. Participants explore how varying rotor resistances affect mechanical work output and heating losses in motors, considering both copper and iron losses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that a motor with a rotor resistance 2x smaller can perform 2x more mechanical work, raising the question of whether it also generates more heat due to increased current.
  • Another participant introduces the concept of "iron" losses in addition to "copper" losses, indicating that multiple factors contribute to heating in motors.
  • A third participant proposes that all losses can be approximated as a single resistance in series with the load, simplifying the comparative analysis of motor efficiencies.
  • One participant notes that a motor's efficiency directly impacts its heat losses, stating that a less efficient motor will have greater heat losses compared to a more efficient one, under the same operational conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of rotor resistance on heating and efficiency, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the assumptions regarding the relationship between rotor resistance, mechanical work, and heat generation. The discussion also highlights the complexity of motor efficiency and its impact on heat losses.

fawk3s
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So I was reading about asynchronous motors, and it seems the motor works better when the resistance of the rotor is smaller. This is fairly obvious, because the smaller the resistance, the bigger the inductive currents and therefore more mechanical force is applied on the rotor, thus its doing more mechanical work (leaving out the frequency of the current at the moment for simplification).
Now as I started thinking about it in more depth, I stumbled upon this question:

If the resistance of the rotor of one motor is say 2x smaller than the resistance of the rotor of another motor, and therefore the first motor (with the smaller-resistance-rotor) is able to do say 2x more mechanical work in a time unit, does the rotor of the first motor also do more work via heating than the second?
Because of P=V*I=I^2*R

Thanks in advance,
fawk3s
 
Last edited:
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To good approximation you can lump all the losses due to source resistance, lead resistance, winding resistance and core loose together as a single resistance in series with the load. The load is an effective variable resistance. This should make your comparative analysis of two motors fairly simple.
 
When considering the total losses to heat, a 80% efficient motor will have double the losses to heat of a 90% efficient motor. Assuming the same temperature limit and rate of heat dissipation, the 90% efficient motor can operate at twice the power of the 80% efficient motor.
 

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