Motor Starting Calculation

Contents
Introduction
Why do the calculation?
When to do the calculation?
Calculation Methodology
Step 1: Construct System Model and Collect Equipment Parameters
Step 2: Calculate Equipment Impedances
Network Feeders
Synchronous Generators
Transformers
Cables
Standing Loads
Motors
Step 3: Referring Impedances
Step 4: Construct the Equivalent Circuit
Step 5: Calculate the Initial Source EMF
Step 6: Calculate System Voltages During Motor Start
Worked Example
Step 1: Construct System Model and Collect Equipment Parameters
Step 2: Calculate Equipment Impedances
Step 3: Referring Impedances
Step 4: Construct the Equivalent Circuit
Step 5: Calculate the Initial Source EMF
Step 6: Calculate System Voltages During Motor Start
Computer Software
What Next?

Introduction
This article considers the transient effects of motor starting on the system voltage. Usually only the
largest motor on a bus or system is modelled, but the calculation can in principle be used for any motor.
It's important to note that motor starting is a transient power flow problem and is normally done
iteratively by computer software. However a static method is shown here for first-pass estimates only.

Why do the calculation?

When a motor is started, it typically draws a current 6-7
times its full load current for a short duration (commonly
called the locked rotor current). During this transient
period, the source impedance is generally assumed to be
fixed and therefore, a large increase in current will result
in a larger voltage drop across the source impedance.
This means that there can be large momentary voltage
drops system-wide, from the power source (e.g.
transformer or generator) through the intermediary
buses, all the way to the motor terminals.

A system-wide voltage drop can have a number of

adverse effects, for example:

Equipment with minimum voltage tolerances

(e.g. electronics) may malfunction or behave Figure 1. High voltage motor (courtesy of ABB)
aberrantly
Undervoltage protection may be tripped
The motor itself may not start as torque is proportional to the square of the stator voltage, so a
reduced voltage equals lower torque. Induction motors are typically designed to start with a
terminal voltage >80%

When to do the calculation?

This calculation is more or less done to verify that the largest motor does not cause system wide
problems upon starting. Therefore it should be done after preliminary system design is complete. The
following prerequisite information is required:

Key single line diagrams

Preliminary load schedule
Tolerable voltage drop limits during motor starting, which are typically prescribed by the client

Calculation Methodology
This calculation is based on standard impedance formulae and Ohm's law. To the author's knowledge,
there are no international standards that govern voltage drop calculations during motor start.

It should be noted that the proposed method is not 100% accurate because it is a static calculation. In
reality, the voltage levels are fluctuating during a transient condition, and therefore so are the load
currents drawn by the standing loads. This makes it essentially a load flow problem and a more precise
solution would solve the load flow problem iteratively, for example using the Newton-Rhapson or Gauss-
Siedel algorithms. Notwithstanding, the proposed method is suitably accurate for a first pass solution.

The calculation has the following six general steps:

Step 1: Construct the system model and assemble the relevant equipment parameters
Step 2: Calculate the relevant impedances for each equipment item in the model
Step 3: Refer all impedances to a reference voltage
Step 4: Construct the equivalent circuit for the voltage levels of interest
 Step 5: Calculate the initial steady-state source emf before motor starting
Step 6: Calculate the system voltages during motor start

Step 1: Construct System Model and Collect Equipment Parameters

The first step is to construct a simplified model of the system single line diagram, and then collect the
relevant equipment parameters. The model of the single line diagram need only show the buses of
interest in the motor starting calculation, e.g. the upstream source bus, the motor bus and possibly any
intermediate or downstream buses that may be affected. All running loads are shown as lumped loads
except for the motor to be started as it is assumed that the system is in a steady-state before motor start.

The relevant equipment parameters to be collected are as follows:

Network feeders: fault capacity of the network (VA), X/R ratio of the network
Generators: per-unit transient reactance, rated generator capacity (VA)
Transformers: transformer impedance voltage (%), rated transformer capacity (VA), rated
current (A), total copper loss (W)
Cables: length of cable (m), resistance and reactance of cable ( )
Standing loads: rated load capacity (VA), average load power factor (pu)
Motor: full load current (A), locked rotor current (A), rated power (W), full load power factor (pu),
starting power factor (pu)

Step 2: Calculate Equipment Impedances

Using the collected parameters, each of the equipment item impedances can be calculated for later use in
the motor starting calculations.

Network Feeders

Given the approximate fault level of the network feeder at the connection point (or point of common
coupling), the impedance, resistance and reactance of the network feeder is calculated as follows:

Where is impedance of the network feeder ( )

is resistance of the network feeder ( )

is reactance of the network feeder ( )
is the nominal voltage at the connection point (Vac)
is the fault level of the network feeder (VA)
 is a voltage factor which accounts for the maximum system voltage (1.05 for voltages <1kV,
1.1 for voltages >1kV)
is X/R ratio of the network feeder (pu)

Synchronous Generators

The transient resistance and reactance of a synchronous generator can be estimated by the following:

Where is the transient reactance of the generator ( )

is the resistance of the generator ( )

is a voltage correction factor (pu)
is the per-unit transient reactance of the generator (pu)
is the nominal generator voltage (Vac)
is the nominal system voltage (Vac)
is the rated generator capacity (VA)

is the X/R ratio, typically 20 for 100MVA, 14.29 for 100MVA, and 6.67 for all
generators with nominal voltage 1kV
is a voltage factor which accounts for the maximum system voltage (1.05 for voltages <1kV,
1.1 for voltages >1kV)
is the power factor of the generator (pu)

Transformers

The impedance, resistance and reactance of two-winding transformers can be calculated as follows:

Where is the impedance of the transformer ( )

is the resistance of the transformer ( )

is the reactance of the transformer ( )
 is the impedance voltage of the transformer (pu)
is the rated capacity of the transformer (VA)
is the nominal voltage of the transformer at the high or low voltage side (Vac)
is the rated current of the transformer at the high or low voltage side (I)
is the total copper loss in the transformer windings (W)

Cables

Cable impedances are usually quoted by manufacturers in terms of Ohms per km. These need to be
converted to Ohms based on the length of the cables:

Where is the resistance of the cable { )

is the reactance of the cable { )

is the quoted resistance of the cable { )
is the quoted reactance of the cable { )
is the length of the cable {m)

Standing Loads

Standing loads are lumped loads comprising all loads that are operating on a particular bus, excluding
the motor to be started. Standing loads for each bus need to be calculated.

The impedance, resistance and reactance of the standing load is calculated by:

Where is the impedance of the standing load { )

is the resistance of the standing load { )

is the reactance of the standing load { )
is the standing load nominal voltage (Vac)
is the standing load apparent power (VA)
is the average load power factor (pu)

Motors

The motor's transient impedance, resistance and reactance is calculated as follows:

Where is transient impedance of the motor ( )

is transient resistance of the motor ( )

is transient reactance of the motor ( )
is ratio of the locked rotor to full load current
is the motor locked rotor current (A)
is the motor nominal voltage (Vac)
is the motor rated power (W)
is the motor full load power factor (pu)
is the motor starting power factor (pu)

Step 3: Referring Impedances

Where there are multiple voltage levels, the equipment impedances calculated earlier need to be
converted to a reference voltage (typically the HV side) in order for them to be used in a single equivalent
circuit.

The winding ratio of a transformer can be calculated as follows:

Where is the transformer winding ratio

is the transformer nominal secondary voltage at the principal tap (Vac)

is the transformer nominal primary voltage (Vac)
is the specified tap setting (%)

Using the winding ratio, impedances (as well as resistances and reactances) can be referred to the
primary (HV) side of the transformer by the following relation:

Where is the impedance referred to the primary (HV) side ( )

is the impedance at the secondary (LV) side ( )

is the transformer winding ratio (pu)

Conversely, by re-arranging the equation above, impedances can be referred to the LV side:
Step 4: Construct the Equivalent Circuit

The equivalent circuit essentially consists of a voltage source

(from a network feeder or generator) plus a set of complex
impedances representing the power system equipment and
load impedances.

The next step is to simplify the circuit into a form that is nearly
the Thévenin equivalent circuit ([Link]
Th%C3%A9venin%27s_theorem), with a circuit containing
only a voltage source ( ), source impedance ( ) and
equivalent load impedance ( ).
Figure 2. "Near" Thévenin equivalent circuit
This can be done using the standard formulae for series and
parallel impedances, keeping in mind that the rules of complex
arithmetic must be used throughout. This simplification to a
"Near" Thévenin equivalent circuit should be done both with the motor off (open circuit) and the motor
in a starting condition.

Step 5: Calculate the Initial Source EMF

Assuming that the system is initially in a steady-state condition, we need to first calculate the initial emf
produced by the power source (i.e. feeder connection point or generator terminals). This voltage will be
used in the transient calculations (Step 6) as the initial source voltage.

Assumptions regarding the steady-state condition:

The source point of common coupling (PCC) is at its nominal voltage

The motor is switched off
All standing loads are operating at the capacity calculated in Step 2
All transformer taps are set at those specified in Step 2
The system is at a steady-state, i.e. there is no switching taking place throughout the system

Since we assume that there is nominal voltage at the PCC, the initial source emf can be calculated by
voltage divider:

Where is the initial emf of the power source (Vac)

is the nominal voltage (Vac)

is the source impedance ( )
 is the equivalent load impedance with the motor switched off ( )

Step 6: Calculate System Voltages During Motor Start

It is assumed in this calculation that during motor starting, the initial source emf calculated in Step 5
remains constant; that is, the power source does not react during the transient period. This is a
simplifying assumption in order to avoid having to model the transient behaviour of the power source.

Next, we need to calculate the overall system current that is supplied by the power source during the
motor starting period. To do this, we use the "Near" Thevenin equivalent circuit derived earlier, but now
include the motor starting impedance. A new equivalent load impedance during motor starting will
be calculated.

The current supplied by the power source is therefore:

Where is the system current supplied by the source (A)

is the initial source emf (Vac)

is the equivalent load impedance during motor start ( )
is the source impedance ( )

The voltage at the source point of common coupling (PCC) is:

Where is the voltage at the point of common coupling (Vac)

is the initial source emf (Vac)

is the system current supplied by the source (A)
is the source impedance ( )

The downstream voltages can now be calculated by voltage division and simple application of Ohm's law.
Specifically, we'd like to know the voltage at the motor terminals and any buses of interest that could be
affected. Ensure that the voltages are acceptably within the prescribed limits, otherwise further action
needs to be taken (refer to the What's Next? section).

Worked Example
The worked example here is a very simple power system with two voltage levels and supplied by a single
generator. While unrealistic, it does manage to demonstrate the key concepts pertaining to motor
starting calculations.

Step 1: Construct System Model and Collect Equipment Parameters

The power system has two voltage levels, 11kV and 415V,
and is fed via a single 4MVA generator (G1). The 11kV bus
has a standing load of 950kVA (S1) and we want to model
the effects of starting a 250kW motor (M1). There is a
standing load of 600kVA at 415V (S2), supplied by a
1.6MVA transformer (TX1). The equipment and cable
parameters are as follows:

Equipment Parameters

= 4,000 kVA
= 11,000 V
Generator G1
= 0.33 pu
= 0.85 pu

Length = 50m
Size = 500 Figure 3. Simplified system model for motor
Generator Cable C1 starting example
(R = 0.0522 \km, X = 0.0826
\km)

= 950 kVA
11kV Standing Load
S1 = 11,000 V
= 0.84 pu

= 250 kW
= 11,000 V
= 106.7 A
Motor M1
= 6.5 pu
= 0.85 pu
= 0.30 pu

Length = 150m
Size = 35
Motor Cable C2
(R = 0.668 \km, X = 0.115
\km)

Transformer TX1
= 1,600 kVA
= 11,000 V
= 415 V
= 0.06 pu
= 12,700 W
 = 0%

Length = 60m

Transformer Cable C3 Size = 120

(R = 0.196 \km, X = 0.096 \km)

= 600 kVA
415V Standing Load S2 = 415 V
= 0.80 pu

Step 2: Calculate Equipment Impedances

Using the patameters above and the equations outlined earlier in the methodology, the following
impedances were calculated:

Resistance ( Reactance (
Equipment
) )
Generator G1 0.65462 9.35457
Generator Cable C1 0.00261 0.00413
11kV Standing Load S1 106.98947 69.10837
Motor M1 16.77752 61.02812
Motor Cable C2 0.1002 0.01725
Transformer TX1 (Primary Side) 0.60027 4.49762
Transformer Cable C3 0.01176 0.00576
415V Standing Load S2 0.22963 0.17223

Step 3: Referring Impedances

11kV will be used as the reference voltage. The only impedance that needs to be referred to this reference
voltage is the 415V Standing Load (S2). Knowing that the transformer is set at principal tap, we can
calculate the winding ratio and apply it to refer the 415V Standing Load impedance to the 11kV side:
The resistance and reactance of the standing load referred to the 11kV side is now, R = 161.33333 and
X = 121.00 .

Step 4: Construct the Equivalent Circuit

The equivalent circuit for the system is

shown in the figure to the right. The "Near"
Thevenin equivalent circuit is also shown,
and we now calculate the equivalent load
impedance in the steady-state
condition (i.e. without the motor and
motor cable impedances included):

Figure 4. Equivalent circuit for motor starting example

Similarly the equivalent load impedance during motor starting (with the motor impedances included)
can be calculated as as follows:

Step 5: Calculate the Initial Source EMF

Assuming that there is nominal voltage at the 11kV bus in the

steady-state condition, the initial generator emf can be
calculated by voltage divider:

Vac

Step 6: Calculate System Voltages During Motor Figure 5. "Near" Thevenin equivalent circuit
Start for motor starting example

Now we can calculate the transient effects of motor starting on

the system voltages. Firstly, the current supplied by the generator during motor start is calculated:
Next, the voltage at the 11kV bus can be found:

Vac (or 87.98% of nominal voltage)

The voltage at the motor terminals can then be found by voltage divider:

Vac (or 87.92% of nominal voltage)

The voltage at the low voltage bus is:

Vac, then referred to the LV side = 359.39Vac (or

86.60% of nominal voltage)

Any other voltages of interest on the system can be determined using the same methods as above.

Suppose that our maximum voltage drop at the motor terminals is 15%. From above, we have found that
the voltage drop is 12.08% at the motor terminals. This is a slightly marginal result and it may be
prudent to simulate the system in a software package to confirm the results.

Computer Software
Motor starting is a standard component of most Power_Systems_Analysis_Software|power systems
analysis software (e.g. ETAP, PTW, PowerFactory, etc) and this calculation is really intended to be done
using this software. The numerical calculation performed by the software should also solve the power
flow problem through an iterative algorithm (e.g. such as Newton-Rhapson).

What Next?
If the results of the calculation confirm that starting the largest motor does not cause any unacceptable
voltage levels within the system, then that's the end of it (or perhaps it could be simulated in a power
systems analysis software package to be doubly sure!). Otherwise, the issue needs to be addressed, for
example by:

Reduce the motor starting current, e.g. via soft-starters, star-delta starters, etc
Reduce the source impedances, e.g. increase the size of the generator, transformer, supply
cables, etc

The calculation should be performed iteratively until the results are acceptable.

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This page was last edited on 4 May 2021, at 05:27.

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