A study of starting methods for an induction motor using an arbitrary waveform generator

In this paper the use of an arbitrary waveform generator to generate desired signals in real-time is illustrated by simulating an induction motor operation along with various starting techniques. An off-line digital simulation of an induction motor is carried out on MATLAB/SIMULINK. The resulting sample-data files pertaining to signals such as electromagnetic torque and rotor speed are used in the arbitrary waveform generator to trace waveforms on an oscilloscope in real-time. This arbitrary waveform generator is developed on the Real-Time Application Interface (RTAI) enabled-Linux platform. The paper presents results of some case studies carried out by employing different starting techniques such as direct on-line and star-delta starting methods. Such a tool will be of great help in enhancing the class room learning.