Thermal problems during start-up of cage induction motors

This article considers the problem of the rise in temperature of the windings of an induction motor during start-up. Excessive growth of thermal stresses in the structure of a cage winding increases the probability of damage to the winding of the rotor. For the purpose of analysis of the problem, simplified mathematical relationships are given, enabling the comparison of quantities of energy released in a rotor winding during start-up by different methods. Also, laboratory tests were carried out on a specially adapted cage induction motor enabling measurement of the temperature of a rotor winding during its operation. Because there was no possibility of investigating motors in medium- and high-power drive systems, the authors decided to carry out tests on a low-power motor. The study concerned the start-up of a drive system with a 4 kW cage induction motor. Changes in the winding temperature were recorded for three cases: direct online start-up, soft starting, and the use of a variable-frequency drive (VFD). Conclusions were drawn based on the results obtained. In high-power motors, the observed phenomena occur with greater intensity, because of the use of deep bar and double cage rotors. For this reason, indication is made of the particular need for research into the energy aspects of different start-up methods for medium- and high-power cage induction motors in conditions of prolonged start-up