Analysis of synchronous reluctance machine with magnetically coupled three-phase windings and reactive power compensation

Synchronous reluctance machine with simple salient rotor is known to have poor power factor because of its poor reactance ratio. This study presents the use of an auxiliary winding attached to a balanced capacitor to improve the effective reactance ratio as well as the performance characteristics of synchronous reluctance machine. A unique feature of this configuration is that although the machine runs at synchronous speed, the effective reactance ratio of the machine can be improved by appropriate sizing of the capacitor attached to the auxiliary winding, with the constraint of the ampere turn rating of the auxiliary winding. The operational characteristics of a simple salient rotor synchronous reluctance machine equipped with this configuration were investigated and shown to have a desirable performance. How the effective reactance ratio, power factor and airgap flux distribution depend on the size of capacitor attached to the auxiliary winding is determined using a simplified mathematical model of the system. Analytical results and experimental measurements are in good agreement, and demonstrate the effectiveness and benefits of the configuration.