Distributed Drives Monitoring and Control: A Laboratory Setup

Abstract

A laboratory setup of distributed drives system comprising a three-phase induction motor (IM) drive and a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive is modeled, designed, and developed for the monitoring and control of the individual drives. The integrated operation of IM and PMSM drives system has been analyzed under different operating conditions, and their performance has been monitored through supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. The necessary SCADA graphical user interface (GUI) has also been created for the display of drive parameters. The performances of IM and PMSM under parametric variations are predicted through sensitivity analysis. An integrated operation of the drives is demonstrated through experimental and simulation results.

1. Introduction

Monitoring and control of drives is a necessary prerequisite for quality control of a product as well as for energy conservation in automated process plants. Electrical energy is supplied to the motors through power electronic converter to get the desired torque/speed characteristics of the motors for motion control in industrial processes. This is achieved through modern motor drives, advance control algorithms, and intelligent devices such as programmable logic controller (PLC), digital signal processor (DSP), and microcontroller. This makes the operation of drives complex, sophisticated, and expensive [1]. Further, in production plant, the process is distributed at shop level based on functional requirements, which results in distribution of the various drives for different process operations. In distributed drives system, the processing tasks are physically distributed among the various drives, which requires placement of the necessary computing, with optimal volume of data, close to the process. Such system also provides fault tolerant and self-diagnostic capability and enhances the reliability of overall system. Thus, a distributed drives system has partially autonomous local computing devices with input, output, and storage capability, interconnected through a digital communication link coordinated by a supervisory control and data acquisition system. The distributed system has the advantages of local as well as centralized control. In such cases, the SCADA and programmable logic controller coordinate the local controllers through a communication link [2].

In the past few decades, limited literatures are available on distributed drives control using PLC. Applications of PLC have been reported for monitoring control system of an induction motor [3, 4]. PLC has been also used as a power factor controller for power factor improvement and to keep the voltage to frequency ratio of a three-phase IM, constant under all control conditions [5]. Also, a vector-oriented control scheme, for the regulation of voltage and current of three-phase pulse width modulation inverter, which uses a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) [6], has been reported. Remote control and operation of electric drive need a large amount of data to be acquired, processed, and presented by the SCADA system [7, 8]. In this paper, distributed control for a three-phase IM drive and a three-phase PMSM drive is configured, designed, and developed for experimental work, and integrated control operation is demonstrated through experimental and simulation results. The application of adjustable speed drives (ASDs) for fans, pumps, blowers, and compressors do not require very precise speed control. Speed sensor in a drive adds cost and reduces the reliability of the drive. Therefore, for applications requiring moderate performance, sensorless drive is a better option, and, hence, sensorless vector control is used for IM control [9–14]. On the other hand, PMSMs are generally used for low-power servo applications where very precise position control is required. A PID controller is applied [15] to the position control, and a model reference adaptive control has been implemented for the PMSM [16]. As speed estimators and observers rely on the knowledge of motor parameters, they are inadequate for accurate position estimation. In the present work, a position feedback encoder is used for PMSM, and an indirect field-oriented control is employed for its control [17–19].

A detailed study on distributed drives including design, development, and testing of prototype distributed drives is demonstrated. The monitoring and supervisory control of IM and PMSM drives, thereby validating the concept of distributed drives, is also described. Further, the developed experimental setup enables and facilitates imparting training and providing the facilities with hands of experimentation, research, and practical training. The necessary SCADA GUI has also been created for the display of drive parameters such as speed. The performances of IM and PMSM are predicted by sensitivity analysis.

2. Control Algorithm

Sensorless control for IM and indirect field-oriented control for the PMSM have been used in distributed control of the drives.

2.1. Sensorless Control of Three-Phase IM Drive

2.1.1. Flux Estimator

The direct and quadrature rotor flux components (𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟 and 𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟) are estimated from the IM terminal voltages (𝑣_𝑎, 𝑣_𝑏, and 𝑣_𝑐), currents (𝑖_𝑎, 𝑖_𝑏, and 𝑖_𝑐), stator resistance of the motor, 𝑅_𝑠, the stator and rotor self-inductances 𝐿_𝑠 and 𝐿_𝑟, respectively, and their mutual inductance 𝐿_𝑚, which are described in (1) to (3); [20], consider 𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑠=𝑣^𝑠_𝑑𝑠−𝑅_𝑠𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠𝜓𝑑𝑡,_𝑠𝑞𝑠=𝑣^𝑠_𝑞𝑠−𝑅_𝑠𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠𝑑𝑡, (1) where 𝑣^𝑠_𝑞𝑠=23𝑣_𝑎−13𝑣_𝑏−13𝑣_𝑐,𝑣^𝑠_𝑑𝑠1=−√3𝑣_𝑏+1√3𝑣_𝑐,𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠=23𝑖_𝑎−13𝑖_𝑏−13𝑖_𝑐,𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠1=−√3𝑖_𝑏+1√3𝑖_𝑐,𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟=𝐿_𝑟𝐿_𝑚𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑠−𝜎𝐿_𝑠𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠,𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟=𝐿_𝑟𝐿_𝑚𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑠−𝜎𝐿_𝑠𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠, (2) where 𝐿𝜎=1−^2𝑚𝐿_𝑟𝐿_𝑠 (3) and 𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠, 𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠, 𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑠, and 𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑠 are stator direct and quadrature axis currents and fluxes, respectively.

Also, 𝜓_𝑟=𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟²+𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟². (4)

The correct alignment of current, 𝑖_𝑑𝑠, in the direction of flux, 𝜓_𝑟, and the current, 𝑖_𝑞𝑠, perpendicular to it are needful requirements in vector control. This alignment is depicted in Figure 1 using rotor flux vectors 𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟 and 𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟, where 𝑑^𝑒-𝑞^𝑒 frame is rotating at synchronous speed with respect to stationary frame 𝑑^𝑠-𝑞^𝑠, and at any instance, the angular position of 𝑑^𝑒  axis with respect to the 𝑑^𝑠  axis is 𝜃_𝑒, where 𝜃_𝑒=𝜔_𝑒𝑡,cos𝜃_𝑒=𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟𝜓_𝑟,sin𝜃_𝑒=𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟𝜓_𝑟. (5)

Figure 1 

Phasors showing rotor flux orientation.

2.1.2. Speed Estimator

The speed is estimated by using the data of the rotor flux vector (𝜓_𝑟), obtained in a flux estimator as follows.

The rotor circuit equations [20] of  𝑑^𝑠-𝑞^𝑠  frame are written as 𝑑𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟𝑑𝑡+𝑅_𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑟+𝜔_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟=0,𝑑𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟𝑑𝑡+𝑅_𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑟−𝜔_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟=0. (6)

Adding terms (𝐿_𝑚𝑅_𝑟/𝐿_𝑟)𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠 and (𝐿_𝑚𝑅_𝑟/𝐿_𝑟)𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠, respectively, on both sides of the previous equation, we get 𝑑𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟+𝑅𝑑𝑡𝐿^𝑟_𝑟𝐿_𝑚𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠+𝐿_𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑟+𝜔_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟=𝐿_𝑚𝑅_𝑟𝐿_𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠,𝑑𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟+𝑅𝑑𝑡𝐿^𝑟_𝑟𝐿_𝑚𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠+𝐿_𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑟−𝜔_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟=𝐿_𝑚𝑅_𝑟𝐿_𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠,𝑑𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟=𝐿𝑑𝑡𝜏^𝑚_𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠−𝜔_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟−1𝜏_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟,𝑑𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟=𝐿𝑑𝑡𝜏^𝑚_𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠+𝜔_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟−1𝜏_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟, (7)(8)(9)(10) where 𝐿_𝑚𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠+𝐿_𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑟=𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟,𝐿_𝑚𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠+𝐿_𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑟=𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟, (11) and 𝜏_𝑟 (i.e., 𝐿_𝑟/𝑅_𝑟) is the rotor time response. Also, from (5), 𝜃_𝑒=tan⁻¹𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟. (12)

Differentiating the aforementioned, we get 𝑑𝜃_𝑒=𝜓𝑑𝑡^𝑠𝑑𝑟𝜓^′𝑠_𝑞𝑟−𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟𝜓^′𝑠_𝑑𝑟𝜓²_𝑟. (13)

Combining (7), (8), and (13) and simplifying, one yields 𝜔_𝑟=𝑑𝜃_𝑒−𝐿𝑑𝑡𝜏^𝑚_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠−𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠𝜓²_𝑟,𝜔_𝑟=1𝜓²_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟𝜓^′𝑠_𝑞𝑟−𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟𝜓^′𝑠_𝑑𝑟−𝐿_𝑚𝜏_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠−𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠, (14) where 𝜓^′𝑠_𝑞𝑟and 𝜓^′𝑠_𝑑𝑟are first derivatives of 𝜓^s_𝑞𝑟and 𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟, respectively.

The torque component of current 𝑖^∗_𝑞𝑠 and the flux component of current 𝑖^∗_𝑑𝑠 are evaluated from the speed control loop and the flux control loop, respectively, as follows: 𝑖^∗_𝑞𝑠=𝜔_𝑟−𝜔^∗_𝑟𝐺₁,𝑖^∗_𝑑𝑠=Ψ_𝑟−Ψ^∗_𝑟𝐺₂, (15) where 𝜔^∗_𝑟 and 𝜓^∗_𝑟 are the reference speed and flux; 𝐺₁ and 𝐺₂ are the gain of speed loop and flux loop; 𝜓_𝑟 and 𝜔_𝑟 are computed using the flux and speed estimators, respectively, as explained earlier.

The principal vector control parameters, 𝑖^∗_𝑑𝑠 and 𝑖^∗_𝑞𝑠, which are DC values in synchronously rotating frame, are converted to stationary frame with the help of unit vectors (sin𝜃 and cos𝜃) generated from flux vectors 𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟 and 𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟 as given by (5). The resulting stationary frame signals are then converted to phase current commands for the inverter [20]. The torque is estimated using (16) as 𝑇_𝑒=32𝑃2𝐿_𝑚𝐿_𝑟𝜓^𝑠_𝑑𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑞𝑠−𝜓^𝑠_𝑞𝑟𝑖^𝑠_𝑑𝑠. (16)

The block diagram of the sensorless vector control for the IM drive is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 

Block diagram of sensor less vector control for three-phase IM drive.

2.2. Control Scheme for Three-Phase PMSM Drive

The rotor of PMSM is made up of permanent magnet of Neodymium-iron-boron, which offers high energy density. Based on the assumptions that (i) the rotor copper losses are negligible, (ii) there is no saturation, (iii) there are no field current dynamics, and (iv) no cage windings are on the rotor, the stator 𝑑-𝑞 equations of the PMSM in the rotor reference frame are as follows [17, 21]: 𝑣_𝑞𝑠=𝑅_𝑠𝑖_𝑞𝑠+𝑑𝜆𝑑𝑡^𝑞𝑠+𝜔_𝑠𝜆_𝑑𝑠,𝑣_𝑑𝑠=𝑅_𝑠𝑖_𝑑𝑠+𝑑𝜆𝑑𝑡^𝑑𝑠−𝜔_𝑠𝜆_𝑞𝑠, (17) where 𝜆_𝑞𝑠=𝐿_𝑞𝑠𝑖_𝑞𝑠,𝜆_𝑑𝑠=𝐿_𝑑𝑠𝑖_𝑑𝑠+𝜆_𝑓. (18)𝑣_𝑑𝑠 and 𝑣_𝑞𝑠 are the 𝑑,  𝑞 axis voltages, 𝑖_𝑑𝑠 and 𝑖_𝑞𝑠 are the 𝑑,  𝑞 axis stator currents, 𝐿_𝑑𝑠 and 𝐿_𝑞𝑠 are the 𝑑,  𝑞 axis inductance, 𝜆_𝑑𝑠 and 𝜆_𝑞𝑠 are the 𝑑,  𝑞 axis stator flux linkages, 𝜆_𝑓 is the flux linkage due to the rotor magnets linking the stator, while 𝑅_𝑠 and 𝜔_𝑠 are the stator resistance and inverter frequency, respectively. The inverter frequency 𝜔_𝑠 is related to the rotor speed 𝜔_𝑟 as follows: 𝜔_𝑠=𝑃2𝜔_𝑟, (19) where 𝑃 is the number of poles, and the electromagnetic torque 𝑇_𝑒 is 𝑇_𝑒=32𝑃2𝜆_𝑓𝑖_𝑞𝑠+𝐿_𝑑𝑠−𝐿_𝑞𝑠𝑖_𝑑𝑠𝑖_𝑞𝑠. (20)

This torque, 𝑇_𝑒, encounters load torque, moment of inertia of drive, and its damping constant. Thus, the equation for the motion is given by 𝑇_𝑒=𝑇_𝐿+𝐵𝜔_𝑟𝑑+𝐽𝜔𝑑𝑡^𝑟, (21) where 𝑇_𝐿 is the load torque, 𝐽 moment of inertia, and 𝐵 damping coefficient.

Figure 3 shows the typical block diagram of a PMSM drive. The system consists of a PMSM, speed/position feedback, an inverter, and a controller (constant torque and flux weakening operation, generation of reference currents, and PI controller). The error between the commanded and actual speed is operated upon by the PI controller to generate the reference torque.

Figure 3 

Block diagram of three-phase PMSM drive.

The ratio of torque reference and motor torque constant is used during constant torque operation to compute the reference quadrature axis current, 𝑖_𝑞𝑠. For operation up to rated speed, the direct axis current is made equal to zero. From these  𝑑–𝑞  axes currents and the rotor position/speed feedback, the reference stator phase currents are obtained using Park’s inverse transformation as given in (22) 𝑖_𝑎𝑖_𝑏𝑖_𝑐=cos𝜃_𝑟sin𝜃_𝑟1cos𝜃_𝑟−2𝜋3sin𝜃_𝑟−2𝜋31cos𝜃_𝑟+2𝜋3sin𝜃_𝑟+2𝜋31𝑖_𝑞𝑠𝑖_𝑑𝑠𝑖_0𝑠, (22) where 𝑖_0𝑠 is the zero sequence current, which is zero for a balanced system.

The hysteresis PWM current controller attempts to force the actual motor currents to reference current values using stator current feedback. The error between these currents is used to switch the PWM inverter. The output of the PWM is supplied to the stator of the PMSM, which yields the commanded speed. The position feedback is obtained by an optical encoder mounted on the machine shaft.

In order to operate the drive in the flux weakening mode, it is essential to find the maximum speed. The maximum operating speed with zero torque can be obtained from the steady state stator voltage equations. The flux weakening controller computes the demagnetizing component of stator current, 𝑖_𝑑𝑠, satisfying the maximum current and voltage limits. For this direct axis current and the rated stator current, the quadrature axis current can be obtained from (23) 𝐼_𝑠=𝑖²_𝑑𝑠+𝑖²_𝑞𝑠. (23) These  𝑑–𝑞  axes currents and the rotor position/speed can be utilized to obtain the commanded speed.

3. Sensitivity Analysis of IM and PMSM

Sensitivity analysis is used by designers of machines for the prediction of the effect of parameter of interest on the performance variables of the motor. In the present study, sensitivity values of the performance variables like power input, power output, efficiency, power factor, stator current, starting current, magnetizing current, developed torque, and starting torque, with respect to the equivalent circuit parameters, are obtained for the IM. The sensitivity is computed by (24), as sensitivity of a variable 𝑁 with respect to a parameter 𝛼 can be represented as 𝑆^𝑁_𝛼𝑁=100⋅^𝑐−𝑁_𝑛𝑁_𝑛, (24) where 𝑁_𝑛 is the performance variable with nominal parameters, and 𝑁_𝑐 is the value of the performance variable when the value of the parameter 𝛼 is increased by defined deviation value. A similar analysis is also carried out for PMSM.

4. Laboratory Setup of the Distributed Drives System

To analyse the utility of distributed drive system, a laboratory setup has been designed and developed for research and development activities. Figure 4 shows laboratory setup which incorporates industry standard networking. It has an IEEE 802.3 complaint Ethernet data highway and is currently supporting a network of two-operator consoles, a PLC, and two drives (IM drive and PMSM drive) all connected in star topology. The PLC (GE Fanuc 90-30) coordinates the operation of these drives. The PLC passes real-time data to the operator console via Ethernet interface using customized software, namely, VersaMotion, for PMSM drive and DCT software for the IM drive. The input/output (I/O) units of PLC and drives communicate using Profibus-DP [22, 23]. The communication between individual drives and PCs, SCADA, is through Modbus protocol.

Figure 4 

Schematic layout of distributed drives laboratory setup.

4.1. PLC in Distributed Drive System

The PLC used in the laboratory setup consists of several modules, namely, Power Supply, CPU, Digital Input, Digital Output, and Network Modules. The digital input module is a 0–30 V DC, 7 mA with positive/negative logic and 16 input points. This module is used to read ON/OFF position of different contacts used to control the drives. There are two output modules with 32 points operating at 24 V DC, which are used to output the status of the individual drive, alarm signal, and so forth based on the decision made by the control strategy that is written as ladder logic program in the PLC. The power supply of PLC is capable of supporting 100–240 V AC or 125 V DC. The CPU has a user logic memory of 240 Kbytes. The communication module includes Profibus module operating at baud rate of 1.5 Mbps with a power requirement of 5 V DC. Proficy Machine Edition 5.9 provides software utilities for PLC programming. The PLC is programmed in ladder diagrams, and program is downloaded in the PLC from a personal computer through RS 232C serial interface. A ladder diagram consists of graphic symbols like contacts, coils, timers, counters, and so forth which are laid out in networks similar to a rung of a relay logic diagram. The PLC stores the inputs (ON/OFF status of coils), execute, the user program cyclically, and finally writes the outputs (energizing a coil for actual opening/closing of contacts) to the output status table. This read-execute-write cycle is called a scan cycle. The ladder logic diagram for the integrated operation of the IM and PMSM drives is shown in Figure 5(a).

(a)

(b)

Figure 5 

(a) Ladder logic for integrated operation of IM and PMSM drives. (b) SCADA GUI developed for the speed control of the distributed drives.

4.2. SCADA

For the remote monitoring and control of the drives, GE Fanuc SCADA Cimplicity 7.5 software is used. The SCADA software is loaded on the server PC which provides supervision in the form of graphical animation and data trends of the processes on the window of PC or screen of HMI. The Cimplicity project wizard window is used to configure various communication ports and the controller type and also to create new points corresponding to addresses used in the controller. This graphical interactive window is used to animate the drive system. At present, controls like start, stop, speed control, and so forth are developed on the software window to control the drives remotely. Each drive can be controlled locally at the field level, through the PLC, or through the SCADA interface. The SCADA GUI developed for the speed control of the distributed drives is shown in Figure 5(b). The control algorithm has been implemented and tested for a three-phase squirrel cage induction motor and three-phase PMSM drive. The technical specifications for these drives are presented in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1 

Technical specifications of three-phase induction motor.

Table 2 

Technical specifications of three-phase PMSM.

5. Results and Discussions

A three-phase sensorless induction drive and a three-phase PMSM drive are configured in the SCADA system. The operation and performance characteristics of the drives are monitored and studied under varying torque and speed conditions. Simulation results are also described. In order to study the effect of parametric variation on the motor performance variable, sensitivity analysis is carried out for both IM and PMSM with respect to their respective equivalent circuits.

5.1. Performance of Three-Phase IM Drive under Different Load Conditions

Figure 6 to Figure 11 show the variation of various parameters of sensorless control induction motor drive during starting at no load and 25% load conditions. Figures 6 and 7 show the variation of voltage and frequency. Both the voltage and frequency increase linearly till they attain a value of 385 V and 48 Hz, respectively, at rated speed under no load starting condition. While the machine is started with a load of 25%, the variations in voltage and frequency are almost similar to that of the previous case.

Figure 6 

Voltage variation of IM drive during starting at different loads and 1440 rpm speed.

Figure 7 

Frequency variation of IM drive during starting at different loads and 1440 rpm speed.

Figure 8 shows the variation of current during starting under no load and 25% load conditions. The starting current was 4.38 A during starting which is settled down to a steady state value of 3.1 A in 2 s under no load case. While with 25% load, the starting current was 5.7 A which is settled down to steady state value of 3.25 A in about 10 s.

Figure 8 

Current variation of IM drive during starting at different loads and 1440 rpm speed.

Figure 9 shows the variation of torque during starting with no load and 25% load. At no load starting, it is observed that the negative peak torque value is 5.9 Nm at the first instance, and then it reaches a positive peak value of 10.3 Nm and finally settles down to a steady state value of 0.7 Nm in about 10 s. While with 25% load starting, the negative peak torque value at the first instance is 6 Nm, and the positive peak value is 20.1 Nm which finally settles down to a steady value of 4.5 Nm in 12 s. Figure 10 shows the power variation at starting with no load and 25% load. The power drawn during transient period is 0.18 kW, which decreases to a value of 0.1 kW, then it increases linearly to a value of 0.3 kW and finally settles down to a value of 0.14 kW in 11 s. When the machine is started with 25% load, the initial power drawn is 0.42 kW, which then increases to a value of 1.3 kW and finally settles down to a value of 0.8 kW in 13 s.

Figure 9 

Torque variation of IM drive during starting at different loads and 1440 rpm speed.

Figure 10 

Power variation of IM drive during starting at different loads and 1440 rpm speed.

Figure 11 

Speed variation of IM drive during starting at different loads and 1440 rpm speed.

Figure 11 shows the speed response of IM during starting at no load and 25% load. It is observed that the motor reaches its rated speed that is, 1440 rpm in about 9 s under no load starting and in about 10 s under 25% load at starting. Figure 12 shows simulated dynamic performance of IM drive under no load and at rated speed of 1440 rpm. The motor attains the desired speed of 1440 rpm in about 5.5 s.

Figure 12 

Simulated speed response of three-phase IM drive at no load and rated speed.

5.2. Starting Performance of Three-Phase PMSM Drive under No Load Condition

Figure 13 shows the dynamic performance of PMSM under no load with a reference speed of 3000 rpm. The motor attains the set synchronous speed of 3000 rpm in about 300 ms. Figure 14 shows simulated dynamic performance of PMSM at no load with a reference speed of 3000 rpm. The motor attains the set synchronous speed of 3000 rpm in about 280 ms.

Figure 13 

Experimental starting response of three-phase PMSM at no load and rated speed.

Figure 14 

Simulated starting response of three-phase PMSM at no load and rated speed.

5.3. Sensitivity Analysis for Performance Variables of PMSM

Motor parameters like stator resistance and inductance vary depending on operating conditions, mainly motor duty cycle, effect of magnetic saturation, and so forth. The effect of parametric variations on the efficiency of PMSM has been analyzed and is shown in Figure 15 for rated speed and rated torque conditions, where 𝛿 represents the parameter variation coefficient and is defined as the ratio of new parameter value to the actual parameter value. That is, 𝑅𝛿=^′𝑠𝑅_𝑠=𝐿^′_𝑠𝐿_𝑠, (25) where 𝑅^′_𝑠 and 𝐿^′_𝑠 are the new stator resistance and stator inductance, respectively. In the present analysis, 𝛿 is determined for 1% deviation in motor parameters.

Figure 15 

Effect of parametric variations on the efficiency of PMSM for rated speed and rated torque.

It is observed from Figure 15 that the variation in the efficiency is negligibly small with variation in 𝑅_𝑠 and 𝐿_𝑠, and it follows a Gaussian distribution. The variation in efficiency due to change in 𝑅_𝑠 and 𝐿_𝑠 is expressed as a fourth order polynomial using best fit curve in Figure 15, where Δ𝜂∣_𝑅𝑠=0.38𝛿⁴−1.58𝛿³+2.07𝛿²−0.91𝛿+0.04,Δ𝜂∣_𝐿𝑠=0.16𝛿⁴−0.59𝛿³+0.55𝛿²+0.01𝛿−0.13. (26)

5.4. Sensitivity Analysis for Performance Variables of IM

Table 3 shows the sensitivity of different performance variables of three-phase IM with respect to its equivalent circuit parameters. The sensitivity of the power input and power output with respect to 𝑅_𝑟 is the highest and is the lowest with respect to 𝑋_𝑟. Motor efficiency is less sensitive to all the equivalent circuit parameters, with variation in 𝑅_𝑠 and 𝑋_𝑚 affecting it more compared to other parameters. The power factor is more affected by variation in 𝑋_𝑚 and 𝑅_𝑟, while variations in other parameters have less effect on it. The stator current is more affected by variation in 𝑅_𝑟 and least by variation in 𝑋_𝑟. The sensitivity of starting current with respect to 𝑋_𝑠 and 𝑋_𝑟 is the highest while with respect to 𝑋_𝑚 is the lowest. Magnetizing current is more sensitive to changes in 𝑋_𝑚 and less sensitive to changes in 𝑋_𝑟. The developed torque and starting torque are mainly affected by variations in 𝑅_𝑟. The sensitivity of developed torque is the least with respect to 𝑋_𝑟 and 𝑋_𝑚, respectively.

Table 3 

Sensitivity of performance variables of three-phase IM.

The sensitivity of the performance variables with respect to frequency and supply voltage is also obtained. It is observed that the frequency variation has maximum effect on starting torque and magnetizing current followed by starting current. The sensitivity of developed torque with respect to frequency is the least. The sensitivity of power input, power output, developed torque, and starting torque with respect to supply voltage is 2% each. Similarly, the stator current, starting current, magnetizing current, and so forth change by 1% with respect to variation in supply voltage. The supply voltage variation has negligible effect on efficiency, while power factor is not affected by supply voltage variation.

6. Conclusion

A prototype of distributed drives system, consisting of a three-phase IM drive and a PMSM drive, is designed, developed, and implemented as a laboratory setup. This prototype system demonstrates the operation and control of distributed drives through PLC and SCADA. The operation, control, and monitoring of various performance parameters of PMSM and IM under different operating conditions are carried out in detail. A detailed sensitivity analysis is also carried out to observe the effect of parametric variations on performance of the motors.

Conflict of Interests

In this research work, GE Fanuc 90-30 Series PLC has been used for creation of the laboratory setup. The said PLC uses Profibus DP protocol for communication between the input/output modules and the drives. The selection of the PLC is intended solely to facilitate research and development work and is not based on any commercial interest.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by the MODROB Scheme of AICTE, India. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by AICTE, India, and GE Fanuc in setting up the laboratory infrastructure in the Electrical Engineering Department at Delhi Technological University, New Delhi, India.