Time-Harmonic Induction-Machine Model Including Hysteresis and Eddy Currents in Steel Laminations

We have studied electromagnetic losses of a frequency-converter-fed cage-induction motor by using a numerical machine model that includes eddy-current and hysteresis phenomena in electrical steel sheets. We used the model to solve the two-dimensional (2-D) time-harmonic field and winding equations of a cage-induction machine, utilizing a finite-element method and phasor variables. We used complex reluctivity to couple the hysteresis and eddy currents in the sheets with the 2-D analysis. The model modifies the absolute value of the reluctivity according to a one-dimensional (1-D) eddy-current solution developed in the lamination thickness. To define the argument of the reluctivity, we applied both the 1-D field solution and measured hysteresis data. We compared computations of additional electromagnetic losses in a 37-kW test machine due to the higher harmonics of a frequency-converter supply with experimental results. The agreement is found to be reasonable.