Abstract
Infrared (IR) wireless transmission technology has proven to be reliable in electric motor control. The existing control schemes for electric motors require the operator to be at the location of the motors or resort to the use of wired controls. Wired motor controls can fail due to objects falling on them and accidental disconnections. Also, voltage drops in the control wires are wasted in generating heat and increase the cost of electricity tariffs. Further, there is increase in labour cost and installation of wired motor control. Additionally, there are slips, trips and fall hazards associated with control trailing wires. In this research, a wireless control system for a three-phase, 415 V, 50 Hz, squirrel-cage induction motor is designed, simulated and implemented. The issues of voltage drop in control wires is minimised because of the reduced wires involved with this control scheme, thereby improving on the motor efficiency. The transmitter transmits IR signal to the receiver. There is a phototransistor in the receiver that receives the IR signal, amplifies it and decodes it with the help of a microcontroller. The output from the microcontroller is used to regulate auto-transformers to control the three-phase voltage to the motor. The designed system can wirelessly start, stop and change the speeds of induction motor for three successive speed levels. The receiver senses signal from the transmitter within a distance of 9 m. The system is designed to switch the motor into standby mode and then proceed to speeds one, two, three and then finally stop the motor. The developed infrared-based wireless transceiver can be adopted to control a three-phase, 415 V, 50 Hz, squirrel-cage induction motor at remote and inaccessible areas such as water treatment and three-phase separation plants.
Highlights
The traditional methods of starting induction motors are direct-on-line starter, forward and reverse starter, star-delta starter, auto-transformer starter, and solid-state soft starter [1]
1) transmitter is powered by a 3 V lithium cell CR 2025 battery; 2) transmitter must generate infrared signals from a 3 V battery power source; 3) transmission of the signals from the transmitter to the receiver is wireless; 4) system must control three-phase, 415 volts, 50 hertz squirrel cage induction motor; 5) system must be efficient and less power consuming compared to wired controls; and
Temperature Versus Time Results of the Transceiver The setup consists of the transmitter system, the receiver system, Type-K thermocouple and thermometer
Summary
The traditional methods of starting induction motors are direct-on-line starter, forward and reverse starter, star-delta starter, auto-transformer starter, and solid-state soft starter [1]. Control and starting methods are implemented on site or remotely using wires for connection. Motor control circuits are designed to perform a variety of functions; including: starting, stopping, reversing, and speed control [3. There are several different control methods, both wired, and wireless, that are used to control three-phase induction motors. Related works on motor controls are reviewed to appreciate the need to use infrared wireless transmission technology. The aim for the development of an infrared-based wireless transceiver to control a three-phase, 415 V, 50 Hz, squirrel-cage induction motor at remote and inaccessible areas was achieved in this research work
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