Effect of voltage unbalance on efficiency of asynchronous motors. Evaluation in the experimental station of Ciudad Caracas sugar mill

Abstract

Reduce electric energy losses is fundamental in sugar factories synchronized to the national grid. In this conditions, any reduction in the internal consumption of electric power increase the contribution of the sugar industry to the renewable energy balance and to the sustainable and friendly environment. The implementation of programs and strategies to increase the efficiency of electric motors in the sugar industry start identifying all the opportunities as well as those conditions of exploitation of the electric machinery. In this sense, one aspect to be focused on is the power quality related to unbalance voltage power supplies. The negative effects of the unbalance voltage on the electric motors have been studied long age in laboratory’s research centers. The same isn’t true in field condition because it requires of special instruments, tools and invasiveness not common on this environment. In Ciudad Caracas sugar mill, an experimental station was mounted in the electric power station to evaluate the effect of different types of voltage unbalance on electric motors. The motor under proof is used as a prototype in order to develop a model applicable to more general electric motors in industrial conditions. The accuracy of the model is verified with experimental results.