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Home / Technical Articles / Calculation of shaded-pole motor losses and efficiency at full load in 6 steps

The basics of shaded-pole motors

First, let’s say few words about shaded-pole motors, and then dive into calculation procedure. A shaded pole motor is the simplest form of a single phase motor and is very low in cost.

Calculation of shaded-pole motor losses and efficiency at full load in 6 steps
Calculation of shaded-pole motor losses and efficiency at full load in 6 steps (photo credit: grayfurnaceman via Youtube)

It develops a rotating field by delaying the build up of magnetic flux through part of the pole structure. The shaded portion of the pole is isolated from the rest of the pole by a copper conductor that forms a single turn around it.

The magnetic flux in the unshaded portion increases with the current through its winding. Magnetic flux increases in the shaded portion.

However, it is delayed by the current induced in the copper field.

Basic construction of shaded-pole motor
Figure 1 – Basic construction of shaded-pole motor

The magnetic field sweeps across the pole face from the unshaded portion to the shaded portion, developing a torque in the squirrel cage.

To maximize torque, the rotor is made with relatively high resistance.

Shaded pole motors are used where low torque is acceptable (such as fans) and are usually less than 1/4 HP. Due to their very low efficiency, shaded pole motors should only be used in applications where the motor is either very small or operates for very short periods of time (e.g. shower fan motor).

Calculation Procedure

A four-pole shaded-pole motor (Figure 2) has the following data associated with it:

  • Nominal voltage 120 V,
  • Full-load delivered power of 2.5 mhp (millihorsepower),
  • Frequency 60 Hz,
  • 350-mA full-load curent,
  • 12-W full-load power input,
  • 1525 r/min full-load speed,
  • 1760 r/min no-load speed,
  • 6.6 W no-load power input,
  • 235 mA no-load current, and
  • Stator resistance measured with DC of 30.
Four-pole, shaded-pole motor with a squirrel-cage rotor
Figure 2 – Four-pole, shaded-pole motor with a squirrel-cage rotor

Calculate the losses and efficiency at full load.


Step #1 – Calculate the Rotational Losses

From the no-load conditions, consider that the rotational losses of friction and windage are equal to the power input less the stator-copper loss. The stator resistance, measured with dc, was found to be 30 Ω.

This is not the same as the effective AC value of resistance, which is influenced by nonuniform distribution of current over the cross section of the conductors (skin effect). The increase of resistance to ac as compared with dc may vary from 10 to 30 percent, the lower values being for small or stranded conductors and the higher values for large, solid conductors.

Assume a value of 15 percent for this problem. The rotational losses Pfw equal:

Pfw = PNL – INL2(Rdc) = 6.6 W – (235 × 10-3 A)2(30 Ω)(1.15) = 6.6 W – 1.905 W = 4.69 W

(Rdc is dc-to-ac resistance-correction factor)


Step #2 – Calculate Stator-Copper Loss at Full Load

At full load the stator-copper loss Pscu is:

Pscu = IFL2(Rdc)(350 ×10-3 A)2(30 Ω)(1.15) = 4.23 W


Step #3 – Calculate the Slip

The synchronous speed for a four-pole machine is obtained from the relation n = 120 f/p, where f frequency in Hz and p the number of poles.

Thus, n = (120)(60)/4 = 1800 r/min.

Since the actual speed is 1525 r/min at full load, the slip speed is 1800 – 1525 = 275 r/min, and the slip is (275 r/min)/(1800 r/min) = 0.153 or 15.3 percent.

Step #4 – Calculate Rotor-Copper Loss at Full Load

In induction machines, the rotor-copper loss is equal to the power transferred across the air gap multiplied by the slip. The power transferred across the air gap equals the input power minus the stator-copper loss. Thus, at full load:

Prcu = (12 W – 4.23 W) (0.153) = 1.2 W


Step #5 – Summarize the Full-Load Losses

Stator-copper loss4.23 W
Rotor-copper loss1.2 W
Friction and windage loss4.69 W
Total losses10.12 W

Step #6 – Calculate the Efficiency

The motor delivers 2.5 mhp. The input is 12 W or (12 W)(1 hp/746 W) = 16.1 mhp.

Therefore, the efficiency is:
η = (output)(100 percent) / input = (2.5 mhp)(100 percent) / 16.1 mhp = 15.5 percent

Alternatively, the developed mechanical power is equal to the power transferred across the air gap multiplied by:
(1 – s), or (12 W – 4.23 W)(1 – 0.153) = 6.58 W.

From this must be subtracted the friction and windage losses:
6.58 – W 4.69 W = 1.89 W, or (1.89 W)(1 hp/746 W) = 2 .53 mhp.

The efficiency is:
η = (input – losses)(100 percent) / input = (12 W – 10.12 W)(100 percent)/12 W
η = 15.7 percent.

References:

  • Electric Motors – Energy Efficiency Reference Guide by CEA Technologies Inc.
  • Handbook Of Electric Power Calculations by H. Wayne Beaty

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author-pic

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

5 Comments


  1. Rajesh Kumar Goyal
    Feb 25, 2023

    in induction motor FLUKE 438-II claim to measure efficiency by just hooking meter on i/p side of motor and calculate efficiency without knowing no load losses and resistance of motor winding, how is possible, can anybody know any formula.


  2. Phil Hopkins
    May 30, 2020

    If you accurately measure the current of the motor with it’s normal load to find the
    impedance. calculate the capacitance and parallel it with the motor. Non polarized 159V AC
    caps work very well. My squirrel cage motor was near 250 ohms which was calculated
    at 12.5uF. The current dropped from 500 ma to 320 ma. A parallel resonant circuit.
    The motor is on it’s 4th year in a wood stove. I used 2 27 uf caps in series/ Do not use
    back to back electrolytics, Mylar or polypropylene.


  3. Nicola Giampietro
    Jan 21, 2020

    Thanks a lot to the help to understand the reasons of the so little efficiency of these motors.


  4. Siddig omer malik
    Jan 17, 2018

    Thanks a lot for these nice notes


  5. Huruma Msemwa
    Jan 17, 2018

    Thanks for sharing this notes

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