AB MACHINERY AND

SOURCES OF FARM POWER MECHANIZATION

ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL POWER

Overview:
Part 1: Electrical Power
• Electric Motors
• AC & DC Motors
• Motor rating and selection
• Sample problem

PART 1: ELECTRICAL POWER

− Electrical power is the mostly used for operating electrical motors in the farms. This is clean
and efficient source energy.
− The maintenance and operation of motors needs less attention and care. The operating cost
remains almost constant throughout its life
− Electrical power is used for operating pump sets, high-tech nursery, dairy industry, cold storage,
farm product processing, fruit industry and food processing industries.

ELECTRIC MOTORS

− Electro-mechanical device used to convert electrical power to mechanical power

− Electric motors more efficient compared to its heat engine counterpart.

− Electric motors are commonly used as prime movers for stationary and indoor equipment
(processing of farm products and by-products)
 AB MACHINERY AND
SOURCES OF FARM POWER MECHANIZATION

− Electric motors are more efficient compared to combustion engines, which means they use less
energy to prime a machinery. Having said that, there are a lot of advantages to using electric
motors. Electric motors give zero emissions because they don’t emit exhaust gas.

ADVANTAGES

− compact in size
− highly efficient
− can work at a stretch continuously for longer periods
− maintenance and operating cost is relatively low
− does not produce exhaust fumes.
− available in fractional horsepower sizes (1/4, ½ , ¾ hp) and integral hp sizes (1, 1 ½, 2, 2 ½, etc)
− can be automated
− low noise level
DISADVANTAGES

− initial capital investment high

− requires good amount of technical knowledge and if handled carelessly, it causes great danger
− suitable mostly for indoor and stationary operation

CLASSIFICATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS

− AC motor: operates using an alternating current power source. In agriculture, these motors
are commonly used for operations such as water pumping, ventilation, and conveying. AC
motors are generally simpler and more reliable than DC motors, and they require less
maintenance. They are well-suited for applications where constant speed is required.
− DC motor: operates using a direct current power source. DC motors are commonly used in
agriculture for applications where variable speed control is required. DC motors are generally
more efficient at low speeds than AC motors.
− Universal motor: operates using either direct current or alternating current power source.
 AB MACHINERY AND
SOURCES OF FARM POWER MECHANIZATION

Classification of electric motors based on electrical service required:

1. Single-phase alternating current (<5 hp)

2. Three-phase alternating current (>5 hp)
3. Direct current (using battery storage)

DC Motor
Three major components:

o Stator
o Rotor
o Commutator

AC Motor
Two major components:

o Stator
o Rotor

Important Note: In AC motors, the coil winding

(armature) is stationary while the magnetic field
rotates. In DC motors, the armature rotates while
the magnetic field remains stationary.
See how PAES 129:2002 uses the word "armature"
and look at the whole context...
 AB MACHINERY AND
SOURCES OF FARM POWER MECHANIZATION

MOTOR RATINGS AND SOLUTION

Motor rating and selection, as it relates to farm power, refers to the process of selecting an
appropriate electric motor that can effectively power farm machinery and equipment. The power
output of a motor is referred to by its motor rating, which is typically expressed in horsepower (HP)
or kilowatts (kW), whereas motor selection takes into account a number of variables, including the
application, load needs, ambient conditions, and available power sources.
Generally speaking, the power rating of a motor should be adequate to satisfy the particular
requirements of the application, without being over or underpowered. While choosing a motor,
factors including the load type, operating speed, and duty cycle should also be taken into account.
It is crucial to pick a motor that is tough and made for the severe temperatures, wetness,
and dust that are frequently present in agricultural situations. In farm operations, selecting the right
motor can increase efficiency, save maintenance costs, and increase production.

1. Torque Requirement

− Locked - Rotor Torque - motor torque at zero speed or the maximum torque available
to start the load
− Pull - up Torque - lowest value of the torque produced by the motor between zero and
full load.
− Full - load Torque – torque necessary to produce the motor's rated power at rated
speed
− Breakdown Torque - maximum torque a motor can carry without an abrupt drop in
speed that make the motor stall or stop
− Acceleration Torque - torque available for acceleration

2. Starting Current
− During starting of the motor, the magnitude of the current is expected to be 2-7x of the
full-load current
− Determines the size and capacities of the electrical installations needed to operate the
motor (transformer capacity, wire size, breaker capacity, switch rating)
− See motor code designated by a LETTER on the motor nameplate
 AB MACHINERY AND
SOURCES OF FARM POWER MECHANIZATION

Example:
Calculate the minimum and maximum locked-rotor current (starting current) for a ½-hp, 240-volt
motor with an H motor code.
Answer: 13.4-14.8A

3. Temperature rating
− The temperature capability of each insulation
class is defined as being the maximum
temperature at which the insulation classes
can be operated to yield an average life of
20,000hrs. Common rule of thumb is that 10°C
rise in temperature reduces the expected
service life of the motor to 50%
− The temperature rise shall not exceed the limit
for the insulation class when the motor is
loaded to its rating or its service factor load.
− In the nameplate, data on temperature can be
stated in temperature rise (degrees C rise) or
in Ambient temperature. Almost all motors
are designed for maximum ambient temp.
rating.
− Normal max. ambient temperature for
motor operation is 40°C

4. Duty Rating
This refers to hoe frequently the motor is started and for how long it will run each time it is
started. Motors are often classified as continuous duty or intermittent duty.
• Continuous duty - type of service in which the motor is operated at or near full load for more
than 60 minutes at a time. This is the common situation for many motors.
• Intermittent duty - the load is only for 10, 20, or 30 minutes at a time with a rest or cooling
period between operations.

5. Service Factor
Indicates the maximum load that can be successfully carried by the motor if it is to operate
continuously and remain within a safe temperature range.
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SOURCES OF FARM POWER MECHANIZATION

Motor Nameplate
Motor nameplate is normally located on all produced electric motors. Understanding
nameplate information can be hard sometimes, but is essential. In most countries it is a requirement
for manufacturers to display all information on the motor’s nameplate, but often this is not the case

ELECTRICAL TO MECHANICAL POWER CONVERSION

MECHANICAL POWER OF ELECTRIC MOTORS

Example:
A prony-brake test on a motor recorded 20N of force on a 0.5m brake arm and rotational speed of
1450rpm. What is the power exerted by the motor?

P= 2πTN
where:
P= power (watts)
T= torque (N-m)
N = rotational speed (rev/sec)