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Q&A Can I make an AC inductor (reactor) rated 75mH 40A from a 3-phase induction motor?

For my test bench I need an inductor (aka "reactor") that meets the requirements below. I have tried to purchase it outright as a made-up item, or the parts to make it (core and windings), but have...

2 answers  ·  posted 1y ago by Fabio Barone‭  ·  last activity 11mo ago by TonyStewart‭

#4: Post edited by user avatar Fabio Barone‭ · 2023-11-04T02:47:20Z (about 1 year ago)
  • For my test bench I need an inductor that meets the requirements below. I have tried to purchase it outright as a made-up item, or the parts to make it (core and windings), but have had no luck finding what I need "off the shelf" at an affordable price and reasonable delivery time. Yes, I am aware of off-the-shelf items such as:
  • https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/hammond-manufacturing/195R20/455524
  • So I wondered: _**could this be done with an inexpensive standard three-phase induction motor?**_
  • Why? Because these are available at low-cost from used-parts dealers.
  • Why three-phase not single-phase? Because a simple VA rating for this inductor gives 37kVA (see under requirements section), which is rather large hence rare for a single-phase motor.
  • I searched several catalogs of three-phase induction motors, but could not find the data presented in a way that translates easily to the requirements for (a) inductance and (b) current rating.
  • Just as an example, here is a typical motor datasheet (5.5kW 415V 3-phase):-
  • https://www.weg.net/catalog/weg/CI/en/Electric-Motors/Low-Voltage-IEC-Motors/General-Purpose-/Cast-Iron-TEFC-/W22-%28Cast-Iron%29/W22-IE1-5-5-kW-2P-132S-3Ph-380-400-415-660-690-V-50-Hz-IC411---TEFC---B3T/p/14231405
  • **My questions:**
  • Question 1:
  • I seek to understand how to interpret the typical motor datasheet to determine its characteristics when it is used as an inductor, in particular, its inductance value, and its AC current rating (at 50 or 60Hz).
  • Question 2:
  • One of the differences between an inductor and a motor is that an inductor only has two terminals, while a 3-phase induction motor has six terminals. To connect the motor as an inductor, I can think of at least three ways as listed below - perhaps there are more - and again I seek advice on this.
  • (a) Connect the two inductor leads to just one motor winding.
  • (b) First connect two or even three motor windings in series, then connect the inductor leads to the remaining unconnected outer two terminals;
  • (c) First connect two or three motor windings in parallel, then connect the inductor leads.
  • Question 3:
  • I would prefer to leave the motor intact rather than modify it (eg: removing its rotor, or changing the air-gap between rotor and stator). Of course, I may have to consider either loading the rotating shaft with a suitable load (perhaps a fan?), or locking it in place, and again I seek advice on this.
  • **Requirements**
  • The ideal inductor for my bench will have the following characteristics:-
  • 1. Inductance value required: L=75mH (+/-10%)
  • 2. Impedance at 50Hz: 23.56ohms (calculated from X=2πfL, with L=75mH)
  • 3. Maximum current: 40A (RMS) at a frequency of 20Hz. Note that the current will be limited by the maximum voltage applied (from a VSD, hence the 20Hz).
  • 4. VA rating@50Hz: 37.7kVA (calculated from V=23.56Ω.40A, I=40A, VA=V.I). The actual VA for the use-case at 20Hz will be much less (2/5 of this, or 15.1kVA).
  • Thanks in advance.
  • For my test bench I need an inductor (aka "reactor") that meets the requirements below. I have tried to purchase it outright as a made-up item, or the parts to make it (core and windings), but have had no luck finding what I need "off the shelf" at an affordable price and reasonable delivery time. Yes, I am aware of off-the-shelf items such as:
  • https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/hammond-manufacturing/195R20/455524
  • So I wondered: _**could this be done with an inexpensive standard three-phase induction motor?**_
  • Why? Because these are available at low-cost from used-parts dealers.
  • Why three-phase not single-phase? Because a simple VA rating for this inductor gives 37kVA (see under requirements section), which is rather large hence rare for a single-phase motor.
  • I searched several catalogs of three-phase induction motors, but could not find the data presented in a way that translates easily to the requirements for (a) inductance and (b) current rating. Just as an example, here is a typical motor datasheet (5.5kW 415V 3-phase):-
  • https://www.weg.net/catalog/weg/CI/en/Electric-Motors/Low-Voltage-IEC-Motors/General-Purpose-/Cast-Iron-TEFC-/W22-%28Cast-Iron%29/W22-IE1-5-5-kW-2P-132S-3Ph-380-400-415-660-690-V-50-Hz-IC411---TEFC---B3T/p/14231405
  • **My questions:**
  • Question 1:
  • I seek to understand how to interpret the typical motor datasheet to determine its characteristics when it is used as an inductor, in particular, its inductance value, and its AC current rating (at 50 or 60Hz).
  • Question 2:
  • One of the differences between an inductor and a motor is that an inductor only has two terminals, while a 3-phase induction motor has six terminals. To connect the motor as an inductor, I can think of at least three ways as listed below - perhaps there are more - and again I seek advice on this.
  • (a) Connect the two inductor leads to just one motor winding.
  • (b) First connect two or even three motor windings in series, then connect the inductor leads to the remaining unconnected outer two terminals;
  • (c) First connect two or three motor windings in parallel, then connect the inductor leads.
  • Question 3:
  • I would prefer to leave the motor intact rather than modify it (eg: removing its rotor, or changing the air-gap between rotor and stator). Of course, I may have to consider either loading the rotating shaft with a suitable load (perhaps a fan?), or locking it in place, and again I seek advice on this.
  • **Inductor Requirements**
  • The ideal inductor for my bench will have the following characteristics:-
  • 1. Inductance value required: L=75mH (+/-10%)
  • 2. Impedance at 50Hz: 23.56ohms (calculated from X=2πfL, with L=75mH)
  • 3. Maximum current: 40A (RMS) at a frequency of 20Hz. Note that the current will be limited by the maximum voltage applied (from a VSD, hence the 20Hz).
  • 4. VA rating@50Hz: 37.7kVA (calculated from V=23.56Ω.40A, I=40A, VA=V.I). The actual VA for the use-case at 20Hz will be much less (2/5 of this, or 15.1kVA).
  • Thanks in advance.
#3: Post edited by user avatar Fabio Barone‭ · 2023-11-04T02:45:30Z (about 1 year ago)
Added tags. Improve the pre-amble.
  • For my test bench I need an inductor that meets the requirements below. I have tried to purchase it outright as a made-up item, or the parts to make it (core and windings), but have had no luck finding what I need "off the shelf" at an affordable price and reasonable delivery time. Yes, I am aware of off-the-shelf items such as:
  • https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/hammond-manufacturing/195R20/455524
  • So I wondered: _**could this be done with an inexpensive standard three-phase induction motor?**_
  • These are available at low-cost from used-parts dealers. I strongly suspect that the physical size required for this inductor would be larger than a typical single-phase motor, and so I have decided to first try to see if a three-phase motor would be suitable rather than single-phase because they are much easier to obtain from the second-hand dealers.
  • I searched several catalogs of three-phase induction motors, but could not find the data presented in a way that translates easily to the requirements for (a) inductance and (b) current rating.
  • Just as an example, here is a typical motor datasheet (5.5kW 415V 3-phase):-
  • https://www.weg.net/catalog/weg/CI/en/Electric-Motors/Low-Voltage-IEC-Motors/General-Purpose-/Cast-Iron-TEFC-/W22-%28Cast-Iron%29/W22-IE1-5-5-kW-2P-132S-3Ph-380-400-415-660-690-V-50-Hz-IC411---TEFC---B3T/p/14231405
  • **My questions:**
  • Question 1:
  • I seek to understand how to interpret the typical motor datasheet to determine its characteristics when it is used as an inductor, in particular, its inductance value, and its AC current rating (at 50 or 60Hz).
  • Question 2:
  • One of the differences between an inductor and a motor is that an inductor only has two terminals, while a 3-phase induction motor has six terminals. To connect the motor as an inductor, I can think of at least three ways as listed below - perhaps there are more - and again I seek advice on this.
  • (a) Connect the two inductor leads to just one motor winding.
  • (b) First connect two or even three motor windings in series, then connect the inductor leads to the remaining unconnected outer two terminals;
  • (c) First connect two or three motor windings in parallel, then connect the inductor leads.
  • Question 3:
  • I would prefer to leave the motor intact rather than modify it (eg: removing its rotor, or changing the air-gap between rotor and stator). Of course, I may have to consider either loading the rotating shaft with a suitable load (perhaps a fan?), or locking it in place, and again I seek advice on this.
  • **Requirements**
  • The ideal inductor for my bench will have the following characteristics:-
  • 1. Inductance value required: L=75mH (+/-10%)
  • 2. Impedance at 50Hz: 23.56ohms (calculated from X=2πfL, with L=75mH)
  • 3. Maximum current: 40A (RMS) at a frequency of 20Hz. Note that the current will be limited by the maximum voltage applied (from a VSD, hence the 20Hz).
  • 4. VA rating@50Hz: 37.7kVA (calculated from V=23.56Ω.40A, I=40A, VA=V.I). The actual VA for the use-case at 20Hz will be much less (2/5 of this, or 15.1kVA).
  • Thanks in advance.
  • For my test bench I need an inductor that meets the requirements below. I have tried to purchase it outright as a made-up item, or the parts to make it (core and windings), but have had no luck finding what I need "off the shelf" at an affordable price and reasonable delivery time. Yes, I am aware of off-the-shelf items such as:
  • https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/hammond-manufacturing/195R20/455524
  • So I wondered: _**could this be done with an inexpensive standard three-phase induction motor?**_
  • Why? Because these are available at low-cost from used-parts dealers.
  • Why three-phase not single-phase? Because a simple VA rating for this inductor gives 37kVA (see under requirements section), which is rather large hence rare for a single-phase motor.
  • I searched several catalogs of three-phase induction motors, but could not find the data presented in a way that translates easily to the requirements for (a) inductance and (b) current rating.
  • Just as an example, here is a typical motor datasheet (5.5kW 415V 3-phase):-
  • https://www.weg.net/catalog/weg/CI/en/Electric-Motors/Low-Voltage-IEC-Motors/General-Purpose-/Cast-Iron-TEFC-/W22-%28Cast-Iron%29/W22-IE1-5-5-kW-2P-132S-3Ph-380-400-415-660-690-V-50-Hz-IC411---TEFC---B3T/p/14231405
  • **My questions:**
  • Question 1:
  • I seek to understand how to interpret the typical motor datasheet to determine its characteristics when it is used as an inductor, in particular, its inductance value, and its AC current rating (at 50 or 60Hz).
  • Question 2:
  • One of the differences between an inductor and a motor is that an inductor only has two terminals, while a 3-phase induction motor has six terminals. To connect the motor as an inductor, I can think of at least three ways as listed below - perhaps there are more - and again I seek advice on this.
  • (a) Connect the two inductor leads to just one motor winding.
  • (b) First connect two or even three motor windings in series, then connect the inductor leads to the remaining unconnected outer two terminals;
  • (c) First connect two or three motor windings in parallel, then connect the inductor leads.
  • Question 3:
  • I would prefer to leave the motor intact rather than modify it (eg: removing its rotor, or changing the air-gap between rotor and stator). Of course, I may have to consider either loading the rotating shaft with a suitable load (perhaps a fan?), or locking it in place, and again I seek advice on this.
  • **Requirements**
  • The ideal inductor for my bench will have the following characteristics:-
  • 1. Inductance value required: L=75mH (+/-10%)
  • 2. Impedance at 50Hz: 23.56ohms (calculated from X=2πfL, with L=75mH)
  • 3. Maximum current: 40A (RMS) at a frequency of 20Hz. Note that the current will be limited by the maximum voltage applied (from a VSD, hence the 20Hz).
  • 4. VA rating@50Hz: 37.7kVA (calculated from V=23.56Ω.40A, I=40A, VA=V.I). The actual VA for the use-case at 20Hz will be much less (2/5 of this, or 15.1kVA).
  • Thanks in advance.
#2: Post edited by user avatar Fabio Barone‭ · 2023-11-04T02:28:08Z (about 1 year ago)
Corrected typo.
  • For my test bench I need an inductor that meets the requirements below. I have tried to purchase it outright as a made-up item, or the parts to make it (core and windings), but have had no luck finding what I need "off the shelf" at an affordable price and reasonable delivery time. Yes, I am aware of off-the-shelf items such as:
  • https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/hammond-manufacturing/195R20/455524
  • So I wondered: _**could this be done with an inexpensive standard three-phase induction motor?**_
  • These are available at low-cost from used-parts dealers. I strongly suspect that the physical size required for this inductor would be larger than a typical single-phase motor, and so I have decided to first try to see if three-phase motor would be suitable rather than single-phase because they are much easier to obtain from the second-hand dealers.
  • I searched several catalogs of three-phase induction motors, but could not find the data presented in a way that translates easily to the requirements for (a) inductance and (b) current rating.
  • Just as an example, here is a typical motor datasheet (5.5kW 415V 3-phase):-
  • https://www.weg.net/catalog/weg/CI/en/Electric-Motors/Low-Voltage-IEC-Motors/General-Purpose-/Cast-Iron-TEFC-/W22-%28Cast-Iron%29/W22-IE1-5-5-kW-2P-132S-3Ph-380-400-415-660-690-V-50-Hz-IC411---TEFC---B3T/p/14231405
  • **My questions:**
  • Question 1:
  • I seek to understand how to interpret the typical motor datasheet to determine its characteristics when it is used as an inductor, in particular, its inductance value, and its AC current rating (at 50 or 60Hz).
  • Question 2:
  • One of the differences between an inductor and a motor is that an inductor only has two terminals, while a 3-phase induction motor has six terminals. To connect the motor as an inductor, I can think of at least three ways as listed below - perhaps there are more - and again I seek advice on this.
  • (a) Connect the two inductor leads to just one motor winding.
  • (b) First connect two or even three motor windings in series, then connect the inductor leads to the remaining unconnected outer two terminals;
  • (c) First connect two or three motor windings in parallel, then connect the inductor leads.
  • Question 3:
  • I would prefer to leave the motor intact rather than modify it (eg: removing its rotor, or changing the air-gap between rotor and stator). Of course, I may have to consider either loading the rotating shaft with a suitable load (perhaps a fan?), or locking it in place, and again I seek advice on this.
  • **Requirements**
  • The ideal inductor for my bench will have the following characteristics:-
  • 1. Inductance value required: L=75mH (+/-10%)
  • 2. Impedance at 50Hz: 23.56ohms (calculated from X=2πfL, with L=75mH)
  • 3. Maximum current: 40A (RMS) at a frequency of 20Hz. Note that the current will be limited by the maximum voltage applied (from a VSD, hence the 20Hz).
  • 4. VA rating@50Hz: 37.7kVA (calculated from V=23.56Ω.40A, I=40A, VA=V.I). The actual VA for the use-case at 20Hz will be much less (2/5 of this, or 15.1kVA).
  • Thanks in advance.
  • For my test bench I need an inductor that meets the requirements below. I have tried to purchase it outright as a made-up item, or the parts to make it (core and windings), but have had no luck finding what I need "off the shelf" at an affordable price and reasonable delivery time. Yes, I am aware of off-the-shelf items such as:
  • https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/hammond-manufacturing/195R20/455524
  • So I wondered: _**could this be done with an inexpensive standard three-phase induction motor?**_
  • These are available at low-cost from used-parts dealers. I strongly suspect that the physical size required for this inductor would be larger than a typical single-phase motor, and so I have decided to first try to see if a three-phase motor would be suitable rather than single-phase because they are much easier to obtain from the second-hand dealers.
  • I searched several catalogs of three-phase induction motors, but could not find the data presented in a way that translates easily to the requirements for (a) inductance and (b) current rating.
  • Just as an example, here is a typical motor datasheet (5.5kW 415V 3-phase):-
  • https://www.weg.net/catalog/weg/CI/en/Electric-Motors/Low-Voltage-IEC-Motors/General-Purpose-/Cast-Iron-TEFC-/W22-%28Cast-Iron%29/W22-IE1-5-5-kW-2P-132S-3Ph-380-400-415-660-690-V-50-Hz-IC411---TEFC---B3T/p/14231405
  • **My questions:**
  • Question 1:
  • I seek to understand how to interpret the typical motor datasheet to determine its characteristics when it is used as an inductor, in particular, its inductance value, and its AC current rating (at 50 or 60Hz).
  • Question 2:
  • One of the differences between an inductor and a motor is that an inductor only has two terminals, while a 3-phase induction motor has six terminals. To connect the motor as an inductor, I can think of at least three ways as listed below - perhaps there are more - and again I seek advice on this.
  • (a) Connect the two inductor leads to just one motor winding.
  • (b) First connect two or even three motor windings in series, then connect the inductor leads to the remaining unconnected outer two terminals;
  • (c) First connect two or three motor windings in parallel, then connect the inductor leads.
  • Question 3:
  • I would prefer to leave the motor intact rather than modify it (eg: removing its rotor, or changing the air-gap between rotor and stator). Of course, I may have to consider either loading the rotating shaft with a suitable load (perhaps a fan?), or locking it in place, and again I seek advice on this.
  • **Requirements**
  • The ideal inductor for my bench will have the following characteristics:-
  • 1. Inductance value required: L=75mH (+/-10%)
  • 2. Impedance at 50Hz: 23.56ohms (calculated from X=2πfL, with L=75mH)
  • 3. Maximum current: 40A (RMS) at a frequency of 20Hz. Note that the current will be limited by the maximum voltage applied (from a VSD, hence the 20Hz).
  • 4. VA rating@50Hz: 37.7kVA (calculated from V=23.56Ω.40A, I=40A, VA=V.I). The actual VA for the use-case at 20Hz will be much less (2/5 of this, or 15.1kVA).
  • Thanks in advance.
#1: Initial revision by user avatar Fabio Barone‭ · 2023-11-04T02:26:02Z (about 1 year ago)
Can I make an AC inductor (reactor) rated 75mH 40A from a 3-phase induction motor?
For my test bench I need an inductor that meets the requirements below. I have tried to purchase it outright as a made-up item, or the parts to make it (core and windings), but have had no luck finding what I need "off the shelf" at an affordable price and reasonable delivery time.  Yes, I am aware of off-the-shelf items such as:  
https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/hammond-manufacturing/195R20/455524

So I wondered: _**could this be done with an inexpensive standard three-phase induction motor?**_  

These are available at low-cost from used-parts dealers.  I strongly suspect that the physical size required for this inductor would be larger than a typical single-phase motor, and so I have decided to first try to see if three-phase motor would be suitable rather than single-phase because they are much easier to obtain from the second-hand dealers. 

I searched several catalogs of three-phase induction motors, but could not find the data presented in a way that translates easily to the requirements for (a) inductance and (b) current rating.  

Just as an example, here is a typical motor datasheet (5.5kW 415V 3-phase):-

https://www.weg.net/catalog/weg/CI/en/Electric-Motors/Low-Voltage-IEC-Motors/General-Purpose-/Cast-Iron-TEFC-/W22-%28Cast-Iron%29/W22-IE1-5-5-kW-2P-132S-3Ph-380-400-415-660-690-V-50-Hz-IC411---TEFC---B3T/p/14231405

**My questions:**  
Question 1:  
I seek to understand how to interpret the typical motor datasheet to determine its characteristics when it is used as an inductor, in particular, its inductance value, and its AC current rating (at 50 or 60Hz). 

Question 2:  
One of the differences between an inductor and a motor is that an inductor only has two terminals, while a 3-phase induction motor has six terminals. To connect the motor as an inductor, I can think of at least three ways as listed below - perhaps there are more - and again I seek advice on this.  

(a) Connect the two inductor leads to just one motor winding.  
(b) First connect two or even three motor windings in series, then connect the inductor leads to the remaining unconnected outer two terminals;  
(c) First connect two or three motor windings in parallel, then connect the inductor leads.  


Question 3:  
I would prefer to leave the motor intact rather than modify it (eg: removing its rotor, or changing the air-gap between rotor and stator).  Of course, I may have to consider either loading the rotating shaft with a suitable load (perhaps a fan?), or locking it in place, and again I seek advice on this.


**Requirements**  
The ideal inductor for my bench will have the following characteristics:-

1. Inductance value required: L=75mH (+/-10%)  
2. Impedance at 50Hz: 23.56ohms (calculated from X=2πfL, with L=75mH)  
3. Maximum current: 40A (RMS) at a frequency of 20Hz. Note that the current will be limited by the maximum voltage applied (from a VSD, hence the 20Hz).
4. VA rating@50Hz: 37.7kVA (calculated from V=23.56Ω.40A, I=40A, VA=V.I). The actual VA for the use-case at 20Hz will be much less (2/5 of this, or 15.1kVA). 


Thanks in advance.