Power capability estimation of permanent magnet synchronous motor in variable speed drive applications using finite elements

At higher speeds the power capability of permanent magnet motors is strongly reduced by the increasing of iron loss, therefore the influence of iron losses on the power capability should be included in the power capability estimation. The paper describes the output power capability estimation of the four pole interior permanent magnet synchronous motor, working in the flux weakening regime. For iron loss determination the iron loss model is used together with the information on local flux density variation in the motor components, obtained by the 2D finite element software. Comparison of measured and calculated steady state characteristics of a 660 W experimental machine at constant output power in the measured range of speed 3000-10000 rev/min confirms the practicability of the proposed calculation approach.