High fidelity equivalent circuit representation of induction motor determined by finite elements for electrical vehicle drive applications

The paper presents the methodology for determination of an induction motor model suitable for harmonic representation on inverter supply. Harmonic iro n losses are considered by convenient modifications of the standard equival ent circuit while the parameter variations for different operating conditio ns are determined by finite element modelling. The proposed motor represent ation is particularly important in cases that the drive efficiency is of ma jor concern over a wide range of operating conditions such as in electrical vehicle applications. The method is illustrated with respect to an experim ental set-up involving a 1,5 kW squirrel cage induction motor supplied by a PWM inverter.