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A 3 phase AC motor is rated values are: 970 rpm, 50Hz, 380V delta 47A.

A VFD drives this motor for obtaining a constant wind-speed which rpm is proportional. The thing is when 885 rpm the stator drives 35A and when at 840 rpm the stator drives 33A. The wind-speed is not regulated well enough.

Doesn't current supposed to be same in this application for a constant torque?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ When the motor goes from 885 rpm to 840 rpm are you changing the load? The Excitation? The frequency? \$\endgroup\$
    – Sada93
    Commented May 8, 2015 at 1:57
  • \$\begingroup\$ There's not enough information to give an answer to this question. Notably, load-torque curves for fans depend on the type of fan used. Centrifugal fans are different to axial fans. You also haven't said what this system is part of, what the atmospheric conditions are, what external variables are changing (ambient wind speed? gas pressure?), or shown the speed-torque curve of the motor. \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 8, 2015 at 8:32

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Relating a motor's current to a fan output airflow requires you to know details about the motor, the fan, the mechanical system surrounding the fan, and the ambient atmosphere.

  • The motor current depends on the motor speed, as shown by a speed vs. current curve.

  • The motor speed depends on the motor's speed-torque curve vs. the fan's speed-torque curve.

  • The fan's speed-torque curve depends on the inlet air density.

  • The speed of the air exiting the fan presumably depends on mechanical details such as - the pressure drop in the fan's duct work, the open/closed position of air dampers, and so on.

It should be evident there is no 'simple' relation between fan motor current and fan output airflow!

I will add two useful pieces of information.

  1. The "Fans and Blowers Energy Efficiency Reference Guide" (published under the branding of BC Hydro, Manitoba Hydro, and others) is an excellent introduction to fan and blower design. This is required reading for all electrical engineers dealing with fans and blowers.

  2. Contrary to your statement that fans have constant torque: Some loads have a constant torque, but fans aren't one of them. From a book by Schneider Electric we have the following table:

enter image description here


Here is an example of a motor's torque-speed curve and speed vs. current curve.

enter image description here

Here is an example of a centrifugal fan's load-torque curve.

enter image description here

Here is an example of a centrifugal fan's power vs. airflow curve (note - power = torque × speed.) Note that the relationship is non-linear.

enter image description here

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In addition to the above very thorough answer, I need to add a few points.

Point 1: Stator current has nothing to do with RPM in an induction motor. The only thing that controls speed (as long as the motor is not overloaded) is the applied frequency, and the motors inherent slip. The current drawn is what is needed (again, up to the limit of the motor) to provide sufficient torque to drive the load.

Point 2: When you are dealing with a Variable Frequency Drive, you need to specify what mode the drive is running in before even considering relating measured current to the load. In simple Volts/Hz operation, the stator current measurement is generally accurate. Most modern drives though run in Sensorless Vector (no feedback element) or Flux Vector (with a speed feedback device). In either of those modes, and some manufacturers differently named but similar modes, you cannot actually measure the stator current with any degree of accuracy. In SSV or FV mode, the stator often draws just about full load current all the time if you just use a clamp on ammeter. The only way to measure the actual torque producing current is to use the diagnostics on the drive itself (if provided). They use the magnetic model of the motor to display the actual torque producing current and flux producing current as separate vector values.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ so you mean stator curent is related to torque right? \$\endgroup\$
    – user16307
    Commented May 8, 2015 at 11:26
  • \$\begingroup\$ can one also relate the stator voltage directly proportional to stator current? i mean if stator current increases does the stator voltage increase same amouount? \$\endgroup\$
    – user16307
    Commented May 8, 2015 at 11:31
  • \$\begingroup\$ No, not at all. Stator current only generates torque and the actual rotor magnetic flux field. In an induction motor, there is slip. The slip between the rotating field and the rotor induces a current in the rotor bars. That current generates the rotor's magnetic field, which interacts with the stator field to rotate the motor. That is all current. Voltage is not related to anything at all except the design of the motor. In V/Hz drives, it must ratio the frequency below base speed, and be fixed above base speed. \$\endgroup\$
    – R Drast
    Commented May 8, 2015 at 11:54

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