Study on the Fire Risk in Locked-Rotor Condition of Single-Phase Induction Motor

Abstract

In this paper, the fire risk of a single-phase induction motor under a locked-rotor condition is described. In general, motor failure occurs in the locked-rotor condition owing to poor rotation of the rotor. Large inrush current flows when a motor starts, which is approximately 2–15 times larger than the rated current. In a single-phase induction motor under the locked-rotor condition, a large current that corresponds to the inrush current flows continuously through the stator winding. Such an overcurrent rises the temperature inside the stator winding, and thus the insulating material may catch fire. In this study, the restrained operating condition of the single-phase induction motor was simulated. Further, the degree of the overcurrent and temperature rise in the stator winding was measured. The experimental results, confirmed that the overcurrent was seven times larger than the rated current and the fire commenced at a temperature of approximately 300 ℃ inside the stator winding.