Finding the Torque vs RPM curve for a 3-phase AC induction motor

[zaraf]

Dear community,

For one of the projects which I am currently working on, I want to quantify my three phase AC induction motor in the following ways:

1. Find Torque vs RPM Curve
2.Find Efficiency vs RPM Curve

Now since I don't have the industrial "Torque Sensor" to plot Torque vs RPM curves, I thought I could proceed the following way. Luckily I have two same motors :) :

So I take the first motor and make it a drive. Then I take the second motor and make it function like a load. The two motors shall be coupled on the shaft. After that I want to rotate the drive motor uptil 100 RPM with load motor being idle. Slowly the load motor is powered up. In response the drive motor would also enhance it's power by drawing more current. Due to this the RPM shall stay constant all the time. At one point increasing load would start decreasing the rpm. Now shortly before this point the max power required to maintain the "constant rpm" will be calculated. This will be done using:
Power input = Mean of three phase currents x Voltage x PF

Using this value of the Power, torque for this particular RPM will be calculated using Power=TorquexRPM

The procedure will be repeated for increasing RPMs like 100, 200, 300 etc and then a plot of Torque vs RPM be plotted.

Now this will be an approximation because the mechanical output of motor is factored by efficiency which we don't have.

Do you think that this experiment is making sense?

Regards
Zaraf

 

[CWatters]

At one point increasing load would start decreasing the rpm. Now shortly before this point the max power required to maintain the "constant rpm" will be calculated. This will be done using:

Power input = Mean of three phase currents x Voltage x PF

Using this value of the Power, torque for this particular RPM will be calculated using Power=TorquexRPM

Your first equation is correct for the input power. However your second equation is for the output power. You cannot equate these two and solve for torque because you haven't taken into account the efficiency.

How powerful are these motors? Would it be possible to mount the motor on a hinged jig and use a force sensor or even weighing scales to calculate the torque?

Edit: Ah sorry I see you understand the efficiency is unknown.

 

[zaraf]

Your first equation is correct for the input power. However your second equation is for the output power. You cannot equate these two and solve for torque because you haven't taken into account the efficiency.

How powerful are these motors? Would it be possible to mount the motor on a hinged jig and use a force sensor or even weighing scales to calculate the torque?

Edit: Ah sorry I see you understand the efficiency is unknown.

Thanks for the reply. The motors are having a nominal of 15KW. We are coupling the motors on the jig. Normally there is an industrial torque sensor which one uses for detailed analysis. This unit is very expensive and that's why we want to proceed without it. So I just want to get your opinion if the experiment is valid apart from the unknown efficiencies.

 

[CWatters]

You will get an answer but will it be accurate enough for you? I think induction motors are typically 85-90% efficient.

Have you tried asking the motor manufacturer?

 

[jim hardy]

Have you tried asking the motor manufacturer?

https://www.industry.usa.siemens.co...pp-man-section5-part2-speed-torque-curves.pdf