Modeling and simulation of traveling waves in induction motor drives

Abstract

Adjustable speed induction motor drives are used more and more often in industry, particularly as an energy saving measure. In the standard configuration, the motor is fed from a voltage source inverter. A number of motor winding failures have been recorded and attributed to overvoltage resulting from the high dv/dt inverter outputs waveforms. This paper is a contribution to the modelling and simulation of the traveling wave phenomenon in induction motor drives. Modelling options for the feed cables are discussed and the use of distributed parameter modelling is proposed. The influence of line length and power semiconductor switching times on the magnitude of overvoltages are investigated. Simulation studies are carried out using the EMTP software package. Solutions are proposed and a filter design procedure is given. Selected results are verified experimentally.