MEASUREMENT OF SMALL INDUCTION MOTORS EFFICIENCY USING THERMAL CALORIMETERY

Induction motors are commonly used in industrial applications. The present work represents the design of a high accuracy system for the measurement of small induction motor losses and efficiency. During all tests, ambient temperature, humidity, motor speed and motor frame temperature were recorded manually using digital instruments. The calorimeter temperatures and motor losses were recorded automatically using a high accuracy 12-bit data acquisition system. The calorimeter built is capable of measuring heat losses of up to 1 kW with an overall accuracy better than 3%. The preliminary results obtained demonstrate the suitability of the designed calorimeter for the accurate measurement of losses in small induction motors