Design of a synchronous reluctance motor drive

A segmental-rotor synchronous reluctance motor is used in a variable-speed drive with current-regulated pulse-width-modulated (PWM) control. The low-speed torque capability is compared with that of an induction motor, a switched reluctance motor, and a brushless DC PM motor of identical size and copper weight. A particular point of interest is the comparison of motors of different types, all with essentially the same frame size and tested under identical conditions. The results suggest that many of the desirable properties of the switched reluctance motor can be realized with the synchronous reluctance motor but with using standard AC motor and control components. The torque capability is lower, but so is the noise level