Induction Motors Under Voltage Unbalance Combined with Voltage Subharmonics

In power systems, various power quality disturbances are present, including voltage deviation, voltage unbalance, and voltage waveform distortions. Voltage waveform distortions are usually identified with harmonics, but in some systems, subharmonics (subsynchronous interharmonics) and interharmonics may also occur—that is, components of frequency less than the fundamental frequency, or not an integer multiple of it. This study examines torque pulsations of an induction motor under voltage subharmonics combined with voltage unbalance. The motor and the driven DC generator vibrations were analysed under the power quality disturbances. Investigations were carried out using finite element and empirical methods. Experimental tests were performed for the maximal levels of the power quality disturbances specified or proposed in the relevant standards. For the investigated motor, under voltage subharmonics or voltage unbalance occurring as a single power quality disturbance, the vibration level was within the prescribed limit. However, under unbalance combined with subharmonics, the level could be accepted for only a limited time. Consequently, the permissible level of voltage subharmonics in non-generation installations should be interconnected with the voltage unbalance in the power system.