Switched
Reluctance
Motors
What is Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM)?
▪ Definition: It’s a single phase electromechanical energy conversion device, which converts electrical to
mechanical energy.
▪The electromagnetic torque that is produced in a reluctance motor is due to the principle of variable
reluctance.
▪To obtain a variable reluctance, the poles must be excited with opposite charges, i.e, if one pole of the
stator is south, next instant, it should be north. Such that this variable field will create a variable torque
for the rotor to rotate.
▪For the creation of a variable field, a switching circuit is used using power electronic devices. The
switching circuits are triggered such that, a rotating magnetic field is created on stator poles.
▪Switched reluctance motor works based on the variable reluctance principle. The rotating magnetic
field is created with the help of power electronics switching circuit. The main concept is the reluctance
of the magnetic circuit is depending upon the air gap. Hence, by changing the air gap between the rotor
and stator, we can change the reluctance of the motor.
Switched Reluctance Motor Construction
▪ In switched reluctance motor, the stator and rotor have projected
pole made up of soft iron and silicon stampings. Silicon stamping
is used to reduce hysteresis losses.
▪The construction of the switched reluctance motor is shown below.
This motor includes 6- stator poles as well as 4 rotor poles. The
poles in the stator are either an odd number or even number.
▪Most of the electric motors have an even number of poles within
the stator which have field coils. The rotor does not have winding
and stator only carries main field winding.
▪Each winding in the stator is connected in series with the opposite
poles to increase the MMF of the circuit. It is called phase
winding. Refer to fig AA’, BB’ and CC’.
▪Pole concern, the number of poles in the stator will be around 6 to
8 numbers. But the rotor carries less number of poles with respect
to the stator. The rotor poles will be 4 to 8 numbers.
▪By increasing the number of poles we can get a low
angle of rotation from the motor. The rotor’s shaft is
mounted with a position sensor. The position sensor is
used to determine the position of the rotor by a control
circuit.
Input
▪The control circuit always collects the information of
the rotor position and based on that the controller gives
the input to the motor.
▪Block diagram of SRM is shown in the figure. The DC
input is connected to the driver/converter circuit and the
output is connected to the motor. The rotor sensor’s
feedback wire is connected to the controller circuit and
it provides the position of the rotor with reference to the
reference axis.
▪Finally, the controller collects all information and based
on that, reference will be given to the stator. Also, the
controller monitors the motor current to protect the
motor from internal and external faults.
Working Principle
▪The working principle of switched reluctance motor is simple, let we take an iron piece. If we keep it in
a magnetic field means, the iron piece will align with the minimum reluctance position and get locked
magnetically. The same principle is followed in the switched reluctance motor.
▪The minimum reluctance portion of the rotor tries to align itself with the stator magnetic field. Hence
the reluctance torque is developed in the rotor.
▪In our motor, let us consider the following notation for better understanding.
Stator Poles: AA’ poles axis for A phase, BB’ poles axis for B phase, CC’ poles axis for C Phase
Rotor poles: aa’ rotor poles axis for Position 1, bb’ rotor poles axis for position 2
▪ Now the input is given to the A-phase, other B and C phase neither
maximum nor minimum, then stator pole axis AA‘ and rotor pole
axis aa‘ are in alignment. Ref picture Fig that indicates that the A-
phase reached the minimum reluctance position.
▪Because the air gap between the stator and rotor is very less, and
they are minimum reluctance position as compared with other
poles. Then,
▪Now, Phase A will be turned off and the B phase is energized. Then
the rotor axis bb’ turns to stator axis BB’. Move clockwise as per
our diagram. By changing the polarity of the motor, we can easily
reverse the motor. The torque develops since the reluctance
changes from maximum to a minimum. The developed torque is
equal to
▪The rotor movement is depending upon the number of poles and in our case, we get 30 deg rotation by
energizing one phase at a time. Here torque is nothing but a rotor movement only. When the shaft
reaches to position BB’. Then there is no torque.
▪Now the B phase will be turned off, and the C phase will be turned on. Then the torque is developed
because of rotor axis aa’ is aligned with the stator axis CC’. The rotor continues to rotate for another
30deg.
▪Again C will be turned off and A will be stared. The motor operation continues until the input power
supply. Here you can observe that the motor is rotating by self. Thus Switched reluctance motors are
self-starting motor.
▪The control circuit continuously monitors the motor speed and input current. if the motor speed falls
with respect to the reference, then the control considers as there is a requirement of high torque.
▪Therefore, it increases the input current to the motor to meet the speed requirement. In case if the motor
current is reached beyond the full load current, it trips the motor.
Types of Switched Reluctance Motor
Based on the construction the SRM is divided into two
categories. One is linear SRM and another one is rotary
SRM.
Linear SRM: The linear SRM or linear switched
reluctance motors are known as servos in the market. It
includes a single-step stator as well as the rotor.
Rotary SRM: The rotary SRM or rotary switched
reluctance motors are available in two types like radial
field as well as the axial field. Axial field SRMs are
classified into two types like single stack and multi-
stack. This rotary SRM includes more than one rotor
and stator.
SRM Characteristics
The characteristics of the switched reluctance motor can be summarized as:
•It may be a single-phase or 3 phase reluctance motor
•Speed control is easy.
•High speed can be achieved with the modification of triggering circuits.
•By the use of inverter, it can be operated with DC supply also.
•Control of one phase is independent of the other two phases.
•The unutilized energy fed to the motor can be retrieved by using the feedback diodes. This improves
efficiency.
•Different speeds can be obtained by varying the firing angle of the switching devices.
Advantage of SRM
▪It does not require an external ventilation system as the stator and rotor slots projected. The airflow
maintained between the slots.
▪The rotor does not have winding since therefore no need keeps the carbon brush and slip ring assembly.
▪Since the absence of permanent magnet, such motors are available at a cheaper price.
▪Simple three or two-phase pulse generator is enough to drive the motor
▪The direction of the motor can be reversed by changing the phase sequence.
▪Self-starting and does not require external arrangements.
▪Starting torque can be very high without excessive inrush currents.
▪High Fault Tolerance
▪Phase losses do not affect motor operations.
▪High torque/inertia ratio
▪High starting torque can be achieved.
The disadvantage of Switched reluctance motor
▪Creates Torque ripple at high-speed operation
▪The external rotor position sensor is required.
▪Noise level is high
▪At a higher speed, the motor generates harmonics, to reduce this, we need to install larger size
capacitors.
▪Since the absence of Permanent Magnet, the motor has to designed to carry high input current. It
increases the converter KVA requirement.
Applications
Due to its versatility, switched reluctance motors are often used in
•Robotics
•Aviation
•Industrial Applications
•Automation
•Washing machines
•Vacuum cleaners
•Fans
We have seen the principle and operation of switched reluctance motors. Due to the advent of power
electronic devices, these motors have gained popularity. However, due to dependence on switching
devices, they have some limitations. The use of hall-effect based sensors also improves the operation.
Torque Equation
By Faradays Law:
◦ (Since λ=𝐿𝑖 = 𝑁𝜑)
𝜕𝑖 𝜕𝐿
Magnitude of 𝑒= 𝐿 + 𝑖𝜔 ;
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝜃
1 2 𝜕𝑊𝑒
Stored Energy in Magnetic Field, 𝑊𝑒 = 𝐿𝑖 ; Power due to variation in stored energy=
2 𝜕𝑡
𝜕𝐿
For motoring: → +𝑖𝑣𝑒
𝜕𝜃
𝜕𝐿
For Generator: → −𝑖𝑣𝑒
𝜕𝜃
T∝ 𝑖 2
