Modelling of a line-start permanent magnet motor using finite element method

Line start permanent magnet (LSPM) motor is noted as an alternative to the induction motor because it offers a very high efficiency and unit power factor. In this paper, the effects of rotor geometries (as example, the bridges between the magnets and the magnet-cage slot bridges) on the dynamic behaviour of the LSPM motor are analyzed using a 2D finite element method. The rotor movement is modeled by means of the moving band technique in which a dynamic allocation of boundary conditions is performed. The methodology presented in this paper can be used to simulate both synchronous and asynchronous performance, which will be validated with dynamometer test results.