Efficiency Map of Synchronous Reluctance Motor Through Two-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

Synchronous reluctance motors (SynRM) have very promising characteristics in the field of energy efficiency, because compared to induction motors, they do not have rotor currents, and compared to synchronous motors they do not need permanent magnets. Thus, the use of SynRM in variable speed applications, through electronic frequency converters, can achieve IE4 (Super Premium) efficiency classes, while induction motors are in IE1 (Standard) and IE2 (High) classes and synchronous permanent magnet motors achieve IE3 (Premium) and IE4 (Super Premium Efficiency) classes, according to international energy directives. Due to the current design techniques of electrical machines using the finite element method, frequency electronic converters, microprocessors, and control techniques, SynRM has emerged in recent years in the field of high-performance variable speed drives. The aim of this paper is to obtain the efficiency map of the SynRM through computer simulation using two-dimensional finite element analysis software and through experimental tests.