Measurements of power loss distribution in a typical stator core under PWM voltage excitation

Abstract The pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter is widely used to feed small induction motors for variable speed and torque control. When a laminated stator core is energised in this way additional iron losses occur due to localised distorted flux. Flux density and power loss distribution under PWM and sinusoidal voltage excitations were measured in a typical induction motor stator core lamination at 1.3 T, 50 Hz by using a computer-aided magnetising system to set up flux distribution as would occur in a practical three-phase stator core. The iron loss increased 15–20% under PWM excitation. The loss increase under PWM excitation in the stator core laminations was 3% lower than in Epstein strips of the same electrical steel under the same conditions showing an effect of the magnetic circuit geometry.