Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present analysis of an influence of rotor slots opening on self-excitation process, terminal voltage and performance characteristics of the single-phase self-excited induction generator (SPSEIG). Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents field analysis of the self-excitation problem in the SPSEIG and performance characteristics on the base of two-dimensional field-circuit model of the generator. Findings – The carried out field computations of the tested SPSEIG with closed rotor slots showed that only an initial voltage across the excitation capacitor of about nominal value (230 V) causes successful self-excitation of the generator. It was also proved that the suitable opening of the rotor slots, beside remnant flux density in the rotor core, facilitates self-excitation in the generator. Since in working applications initially charging of the capacitor to almost nominal voltage may cause a problem, therefore employment of semi-closed rotor slots in the SPSEIG would be proper solution. Originality/value – The conducted simulations, validated by laboratory tests showed that not only suitable excitation capacitor capacitance and rotor speed are needed to obtain desired terminal voltage of the generator, but also suitable initial voltage across the capacitor in auxiliary stator winding is very important and necessary for reliable self-excitation of the single-phase induction generator with closed rotor slots. The employment of semi-closed rotor slots in the SPSEIG makes the self-excitation more effective.

Analysis of a single-phase capacitor induction motor operating at two power line frequenciesThe paper presents a modelling mathematical tool for prediction of dynamic and steady-states operation of the single-phase capacitor induction motor for different values of the capacitor capacitance and different frequency of voltage supply at no-load and rated load conditions. Developed mathematical model of the capacitor induction motor was implemented for calculation using Matlab/Simulink software. Presented simulation results may be utilized to achieve better starting quality of single-phase capacitor induction motors.

Abstract:The paper deals with a single-phase induction machine operating as a stand-alone self-excited singlephase induction generator for generation of electrical energy from renewable energy sources. By changing number of turns and size of wires in the auxiliary stator winding, an improvement of performance characteristics of the generator were obtained as regards no-load and load voltage of the stator windings as well as stator winding currents of the generator. Field-circuit simulation models of the generator were developed using Flux2D software package for the generator with shunt capacitor in the main stator winding. The obtained results have been validated experimentally at the laboratory setup using the single-phase capacitor induction motor of 1.1 kW rated power and 230 V voltage as a base model of the generator.

Abstract:The purpose of the paper is the investigation of possibility of utilization of a single-phase induction machine, designed and normally operating as a single-phase capacitor induction motor, as a self-excited single-phase induction generator, which can be used to generate electrical energy from non-conventional energy sources. The paper presents dq model of the self-excited single-phase induction generator for dynamic characteristics simulation and steady-state model based on double revolving field theory with two phase symmetrical components -a forward and backward revolving field for performance of the generator under resistive load. Excitation and load characteristics obtained by simulation showed considerable influence of method of capacitor configuration in the load stator winding on terminal voltage, current and output power of the generator under load. An specific construction of the stator windings together with capacitor requirements to obtain nominal output power at desired self-regulating terminal voltage over the operating range will be the aim of further research.