Thermal Study of Three-Phase Squirrel Cage Induction Motor with the Open-Phase Fault Operation Using a Lumped Parameter Network (LPTN)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to estimate the induction motor temperature at both steady and transient thermal states under healthy and faulty conditions. The distribution of the temperature in the motor is calculated using thermal models based on the 2D Lumped Parameter Thermal Network (LPTN). The thermal model takes into account the heat sources, convection heat transfer and the thermal resistances in the motor. The heat flow generated by the conduction and convection in a three-phase squirrel cage induction motor is discussed. The developed model is used to study the motor thermal behavior during the opening phase situation. The results obtained by the model developed are validated by experimental tests. The tested machine is a standard three-phase, 4-pole, 2.2 kW, 380 V squirrel cage induction motor of Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled “TEFC” design manufactured in Algeria by Electro-Industries company. The simulated temperatures so obtained are in good agreement with the measured ones, and the 2D Lumped Parameter Thermal Network study seems to be appropriate to characterize the heating of the active parts of the machine under different operating conditions.