A rapid method for load testing and efficiency measurement of three-phase induction motors

This paper describes two novel methods of full load testing for temperature rise and efficiency evaluation of three-phase induction motors. Synthetic loading techniques are used, without the need to connect a load to the machinepsilas drive shaft. These new methods use a digital signal processor controlled power electronic inverter to continually accelerate and decelerate the induction machine, while using a new real time data acquisition system to accurately determine and record the machinepsilas performance. The methods proposed reduce the testing time and floor space required for both load testing and efficiency evaluation of induction motors when compared with conventional methods of temperature rise and efficiency measurement.