A Novel Algorithm for Estimating Refurbished Three-Phase Induction Motors Efficiency Using Only No-Load Tests

Induction motors fail due to many reasons, and many are rewound two or more times during their lifetimes. It is generally assumed that a rewound motor is not as efficient as the original motor. Precise estimation of efficiency of a refurbished motor or any existing motor is crucial in industries for energy savings, auditing, and management. Full-load and partial-load efficiency can be measured by using the dynamometer. This paper presents a novel technique for estimating refurbished induction motors' full-load and partial-load efficiencies from only no-load tests. The technique can be applied in any electric motor workshop and eliminates the need for the dynamometer procedure. It also eliminates the need for the locked-rotor test. Experimental and field results of testing eight induction motors are presented, and the degree of accuracy is shown by comparing the estimated efficiencies against the measured values. To provide the necessary credits to the proposed technique, an error analysis is conducted to investigate the level of uncertainty through testing three induction motors, and the results of uncertainty of the direct measurements and no-load measurements using the proposed technique are presented.

[1]  T.G. Habetler,et al.  A Nonintrusive and In-Service Motor Efficiency Estimation Method using Air-Gap Torque with Considerations of Condition Monitoring , 2006, Conference Record of the 2006 IEEE Industry Applications Conference Forty-First IAS Annual Meeting.

[2]  P. Pillay,et al.  Full Load Efficiency Estimation of Refurbished Induction Machines From No-Load Testing , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion.

[3]  Pragasen Pillay.  Applying energy-efficient motors in the petrochemical industry , 1997 .

[4]  T.G. Habetler,et al.  Error Analysis of Motor-Efficiency Estimation and Measurement , 2007, 2007 IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference.

[5]  P. Pillay,et al.  The contribution of energy efficient motors to demand and energy savings in the petrochemical industry , 1995 .

[6]  Mario Gigante.  Rewind of Large Electric Motors for the Petroleum Industry , 1966 .

[7]  P. Pillay,et al.  Application of induction machine efficiency testing standards in South Africa , 2009, 2009 IEEE International Electric Machines and Drives Conference.

[8]  Semyon G. Rabinovich,et al.  Measurement Errors and Uncertainties: Theory and Practice , 1999 .

[9]  Ieee Standards Board.  IEEE standard test procedure for polyphase induction motors and generators , 1992 .

[10]  Wenping Cao,et al.  Experimental Uncertainty in Estimation of the Losses and Efficiency of Induction Motors , 2006, Conference Record of the 2006 IEEE Industry Applications Conference Forty-First IAS Annual Meeting.

[11]  P. Pillay,et al.  The use of the genetic algorithm for in-situ efficiency measurement of an induction motor , 2000, 2000 IEEE Power Engineering Society Winter Meeting. Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.00CH37077).

[12]  Ion Boldea,et al.  Complete Parameter Identification of Large Induction Machines From No-Load Acceleration–Deceleration Tests , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.

[13]  David C. Montgomery,et al.  The Motor Rewind Issue-A New Look , 1983, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[14]  E. Levi,et al.  A Review of RFO Induction Motor Parameter Estimation Techniques , 2002, IEEE Power Engineering Review.

[15]  Rong-Ching Wu,et al.  Parameter Identification of Induction Machine With a Starting No-Load Low-Voltage Test , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.

[16]  T.G. Habetler,et al.  A survey of efficiency-estimation methods for in-service induction motors , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[17]  Pragasen Pillay,et al.  In-situ induction motor efficiency determination using the genetic algorithm , 1998 .

[18]  Nicole Marie Kaufman.  A 100 Motor Study: Investigating pre-EPAct Motors as a Subset of the Industrial Motor Population with Regards to the Economics of Motor Repair and Replace Decisions , 2005 .

[19]  R. S. Colby,et al.  Measured efficiency of high efficiency and standard induction motors , 1990, Conference Record of the 1990 IEEE Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting.

[20]  M. A. Khan,et al.  Error analysis of efficiency estimation methods for induction motors , 2011, 2011 IEEE International Electric Machines & Drives Conference (IEMDC).