Motor Starting Calculation

Motor Starting Calculation Spreadsheet

Motor starting case studies
A motor starting case study for any given electrical network can be performed by
reduced the network to a smaller equivalent network consisting of a source (generator /
grid), the starting motor (largest motor), other large running motor and a lumped load.
This MS Excel based spread sheet is based on this concept and present a small model
of electrical network that can be adapted for such motor starting case studies.
This is very helpful especially for quick checks as follows:
1. What is the largest motor size that can be started with a given generator rating
2. What should be the rating of the generator (or nos of generator operated in
parallel) for a given load and largest motor size
3. Knowing voltage drop during starting conditions for given motor details and
hence deciding the key parameter during design (say max allowable starting
current)
4. Deciding the cable size / number of runs etc.
The spread sheet performs an iterative calculation based on pre-start load inputs and
starting motor data. Detailed analysis may be performed with the help of available
softwares.
Notes:
1. Motor starting analysis are generally performed for the largest motor connected
to a switchboard.
2. For worst case results, motor starting analysis are generally performed
considering the weakest source.
3. Considering the above two facts, any given electrical network, where a starting
analysis of a motor is required, can be reduced to a simplifed network consisting
of a source (generator/s or grid), the starting motor (largest motor), the running
motor/s (second largest motor/s or motor of same rating as the largest motor
under study) and other loads lumped together.
4. Modeling
This spread sheet allows the user to model a given network as follows:
1. Generator/s: The details of one generator shall be entered. If there are
more than one generator of identical rating, these can be modeled simply by
enter the number of generator in parallel.
2. Grid: The details of grid shall be entered
3. Transformer/s: The details of one transformer shall be entered. If there
are more than one transformer of identical rating, these can be modeled
simply by enter the number of transformer in parallel.
4. The spread sheet considered either the Generator/s or the Grid supply
for the motor starting analysis. The source for the motor starting analysis can
be selected by the use via the drop down menu. The selection automatically
simulates switching ON or OFF the respective source breaker.
5. Starting Motor: The details of the largest motor connected to the
switchboard shall be entered.
6. Running Motor/s: The details of the second largest running motor/s (or
motor of rating same as the starting motor) connected to the switchboard shall
be entered. This model can also be utilized by the user to check the voltage
drop at the terminals of any remote motor/s.
7. Lumped Load: The details of the remaing load on the switchboard can
be modeled as a lumped load. The % motor can be defned which shall be
modeled as constant power load while remaining % of load shall be modeled
as constant impedance load for the calculation.
8. Error in data entry of the voltage input shall be highlighted, if bus
voltages are much diferent from the generator terminal voltage input of
transformer voltage ratio inputs.