Simulation of switched reluctance motor power electronics to determine device ratings

The switched reluctance motor (SRM) is a low cost motor option. However it has lower power factor than competing motors and this has led to the incorrect perception that the power electronics are expensive. This paper shows that using the inverse of power factor as a proxy for converter rating and hence cost is incorrect; in particular device utilization and device switching losses are just as relevant. When the complete picture is considered the ratings for the SRM are shown to be only 2/3rds that of the induction motor. Other authors have observed, but not explained, this reduced rating.