Suitability Estimation of Ceiling Fan SPIMs Using Locked Rotor and No Load Tests Assisted With FEA

Abstract

The paper proposes the use of no load and locked rotor tests on a ceiling fan single phase induction motor (SPIM) for determining the satisfactory performance of the motor sample at rated load. The difference between the locked rotor (LR) wattage and the no load (NL) wattage for a ceiling fan SPIM gives a measure of the performance of the motor, which cannot be coupled with a shaft based dynamometer. The capacitor run SPIM fed with single phase supply at no load gives the measure of the significant core losses as well as minimal copper losses of both the windings corresponding to the magnetizing current. Moreover, the locked rotor with both windings in circuit, gives a measure of maximum copper losses of both the windings. The experimental input powers validated using the finite element analysis for commercially available fans. Thereafter, the performance of the fan at various loadings, is predicted using finite element analysis (FEA). A selection criterion for fan motors based on the NL and LR tests, is suggested, which is suitable for large scale testing of ceiling fans without any mechanical changes to the ceiling fan assembly.