Even though they comprise a small portion of electric motors in service, wound rotor motors are disproportionately represented in EASA’s tech support call volume. There are several misconceptions about how they work. This paper will describe how they are applied and explain several simple but critical tests for the repairer.

Is the induction motor the preferred answer in industrial drive applications? What is happening to the synchronous, DC and wound rotor motor (WRM) in those applications?

Quick helpful guidance and tips for test running wound rotor motors.

The slip ring or wound rotor induction motor (WRIM) has been used in a variety of applications. Many of these applications use the WRIM's high starting torque capability while limiting current to start and run very high inertia loads such as hammer mills, rolling mills, centrifuges, and rotary kilns. Other applications utilize the variable speed capability of the WRIM. Probably the most common use of WRIMs for variable speed is in crane and hoist service. Other variable speed uses for the WRIM include wiredraw machines, fans, blowers, pumps and refrigeration compressors. Many of these applications, if designed today, would utilize a standard induction motor and variable frequency drive (VFD), particularly those where speed control is the desired end result. When older WRIMs or their controllers fail, the best solution often is to replace both motor and control. There are situations, however, where the best solution may be to replace the old controller with a VFD and continue to use the WRIM. As always, the more knowledge we have about the equipment we work on the better equipped we are to make good choices about repairing, replacing or upgrading this equipment for our customers. With this in mind, a review of how the WRIM and some of its control schemes work seems appropriate.