QA

Question: Why Do Motors Take More Current

Electrical overload or over-current is caused by an excessive current flow within the motor windings, exceeding the design current which the motor is able to carry efficiently and safely. This can be caused by a low supply voltage, resulting in the motor drawing in more current in an attempt to maintain its torque.

Why do motors draw more current when starting?

An induction motor during start behaves like a short circuited transformer. Now, when supply is given to the stator windings, it draws high current at constant voltage as the windings are short circuited. This high current through the stator turns generate magnetic field which links with the rotor conductors.

How does a motor draw more current?

As more mechanical load is applied, the motor slows, the back emf decreases, and more current is drawn. If sufficient mechanical load is applied, the motor stalls/stops rotating, and therefore there is no back EMF at all, and the current is limited by the supply or by the resistance of the windings.

Why is DOL starter used up 5 hp?

Direct-on-Line (DOL) Starter This heavy current reduces as the motor accelerates to its rated speed. For a large rating motor, ranging from 5 HP to 25 HP, oil immersed DOL starters are used which provides insulation against sparking on contact points and hence increases the life of starter.

Why we use DOL starter?

The applications of DOL starters are primarily motors where a high inrush current does not cause excessive voltage drop in the supply circuit (or where this high voltage drop is acceptable). Direct on line starters are commonly used to start small water pumps, conveyor belts, fans, and compressors.

Why starter is used in AC motor?

A starter is a device that reduces initial high current of the motor by reducing the supply voltage applied to the motor. Such reduction is applied for very short duration and once the motor accelerates, slip value decreases and hence a normal voltage is then applied.

Why is inrush current bad?

The ratio of inrush current to normal full-load current can range from 5 to 100 times greater. This current surge can cause component damage and/or failure within the equipment itself, blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers, and may severely limit the number of devices connected to a common power source.

Do electric motors draw more current as they age?

RE: Increasing current requirements with age They are typically 1.42A – 1.54A after being rebuilt. At least one is as high as 2.2A. Those numbers are the averages of all three phases. It is important that the current draw does not get too high because otherwise it will trip protection settings.

What causes inrush current in a motor?

Inrush Current and the Motor Components The difference in the magnetic fields between the stator winding (stationary copper winding group within the motor) and the rotor winding (rotating shaft winding) is the biggest contributor to the initial inrush current experienced at startup.

Why is DC motor current so high?

Answer: The starting current is high as there is no back EMF or counter EMF present in the armature circuit because atstarting counter EMF is zero. It’s armature has very less resistance due to this it need more current at starting time. Hence DC starters are used to limit the starting current ofmotor.

Do electric motors slow with age?

Generally electric motors don’t slow their speed during years or decades. You have only to check bearings, and brushes, only for brushed motors. You can replace brushes, but eventually the slip ring or commutator will wear.

How do I stop inrush current?

Inrush current can be reduced by increasing the voltage rise time on the load capacitance and slowing down the rate at which the capacitors charge. Three different solutions to reduce inrush current are shown below: voltage regulators, discrete components, and integrated load switches.

Is a higher amp motor better?

Amps basically measure how effectively the motor cools itself, not how much power it has. With this in mind, more amps can be good because motors will run longer and won’t heat up as fast. Remember heat is what kills a motor. Regarding cordless tools, the more amps the battery has, the longer the tool will run.

How many amps should a motor draw with no load?

A motor designed to pull 38 amps at 380 volts would probably pull around 15 to 18 with no load. However, you reduced the voltage to 220 when you ran it, which will raise the amperage for the same power. Multi-voltage motor datatags should show each voltage the motor is designed to run at and FLA for each voltage.

How long can an AC electric motor run continuously?

You should anticipate, given proper attendance, that the motor can run continuously for the life of its brushes, which should be in the range of six months to a year. Presuming that the motor is too small to have its brushes changed by a trained electrician while running.

Can we use DOL starter for 10 hp motor?

These motor control units particularly suitable to command surface and submersible electric pumps. The range includes DOL from 5.5 HP to 70 HP and ASD from 10 HP to 150 HP control panels for one motor start.

How much is motor inrush current?

Typically, during the initial half cycle, the inrush current is often higher than 20 times the normal full load current. After the first half-cycle the motor begins to rotate and the starting current subsides to 4 to 8 times the normal current for several seconds.

Can electric motors run continuously?

These motors will run for years and years before the windings short. An electric motor can and will run until either the brushes wear out, or the windings on the armature burn up their insulation which shorts the motor out, or if the commutator carbons up.