Current drawn by a motor operating at half speed

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a motor operating at different speeds and the current it draws under those conditions. The original poster presents a problem involving a motor that operates at 118V, drawing varying currents at startup and normal speed, and seeks to determine the current drawn at half normal speed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest exploring the back emf at half the normal speed and question the relationship between speed and other known quantities. There is a discussion about the implications of constant load and how changes in voltage might affect current and speed.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the back emf and the importance of understanding the reasons behind the motor operating at half speed, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a lack of resources in their textbooks regarding the relationship between speed and electrical quantities, and there is uncertainty about whether the change in speed is due to a decrease in voltage or an increase in load.

BOAS
Messages
546
Reaction score
19
Hello,

i'm unsure of how to complete the final part of this question;

Homework Statement



A motor is designed to operate at 118V and draws a current of 12A when it first starts up. At it's normal operating speed, the motor draws a current of 2A. Compute:

a) the resistance of the armature of the coil.

b) the back emf developed at normal speed.

c) the current drawn by the motor at half the normal speed.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I have completed parts a and b.

a) V = IR

R = \frac{V}{I} = \frac{118}{12} = 9.83 \Omega

b) 2A flow through the armature with resistance 9.83 \Omega.

V = IR = 19.66V

Supply voltage = back emf + voltage across armature

back emf = 118 - 19.66 = 98.34V

But how do I figure out c?

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Perhaps start by working out the back emf at half the normal speed?
 
CWatters said:
Perhaps start by working out the back emf at half the normal speed?

I can't find any material in my textbook that deals with the relationship speed has with other known quantities.

Do you know of any places I should look?
 
BOAS said:
I can't find any material in my textbook that deals with the relationship speed has with other known quantities.

Do you know of any places I should look?

Bump, I still haven't found anything.

If the load stays constant, then decreasing the voltage will decrease the current in the armature and hence the speed of the motor, but I don't know how to quantify these ideas.
 
Isn't it important to know why it's at half normal speed? I.e. is it because the applied voltage has been lowered or because the load has been increased?
If you knew which, I think you could use consideration of power to obtain an answer.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
9K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
13K