1

Electromagnetic Interference in a Cable Feeding

an Asynchronous Motor
H. Slimani

A. Bendaoud

H. Miloudi

K. Medles

M. Miloudi

Laboratoire IRECOM
Djillali Liabs
University of Sidi BelAbbs, Algeria,
Slimani.halima@yahoo.f
r

Laboratoire IRECOM
Djillali Liabs University
of Sidi Bel-Abbs,
Algeria,
babdelber22@yahoo.fr

Laboratoire IRECOM
Djillali Liabs University
of Sidi Bel-Abbs,
Algeria,

Laboratoire IRECOM
Djillali Liabs
University of Sidi BelAbbs, Algeria,

Laboratoire IRECOM
Djillali Liabs
University of Sidi BelAbbs, Algeria,

Abstract-- The increase in frequency of commutation of

the power switches used in the static inverters had as a
consequence the problems of Electromagnetic Interferences
between the various elements of the systems where they are
employed, particularly in a variable speed device.
Indeed, commutations of these switches create fast
variations of voltage (dV/dt) involving the circulation of
high frequency currents which are propagated in two
modes: common mode and differential mode, between the
source and the victim. Generally, these disturbances use the
filar connections (cables) to be propagated in the system
involving the appearance of
radiated emissions and
overvoltage at the entries of the load (Motor). These
problems have as consequence: the machines prematurely
age.
In order to identify the paths of propagations of these
HF currents in a complete system of variable speed
transmission type, and to propose solutions allowing to
reduce the consequently of each element of the device. It
then appears important to model the energy cables with
some precision.
This will also make it possible to study the influence of
the wire specifications in the propagation of these
disturbances.
Index Terms-- Modeling high frequency, cables of energy,
static
inverters,
asynchronous
motor,
conducted
disturbances, EMC, overvoltage.

1. INTRODUCTION
In the converter of energy, the filar connections
constitute the ways of propagation of the conducted
disturbances. In the objective to identify the impedances
of the ways of propagation of the conducted disturbances
in a converter of power, it is necessary to use a precise
model of the cables of energy connecting the converter to
the load. In the case of the variable speed transmissions,
the connecting cables can reach several meters. A direct
consequence of application high dV/dt to the cables on
the outlet side of the inverter is the appearance of
overvoltage at the extremities of motor. The value of this
overvoltage depends to the length and the electric
characteristics of the energy cable [1].
This conducted disturbance (EMI) is classified
according to two types: differential mode (DM) and
common mode (MC). In this work, we see, in a first part,
the harmful effects which bring the use of energy cables

in the static inverters, and more precisely consequences

length of the cable, such as overvoltage and the currents
HF which cross the bearings of the motor by causing a
transfer of metal between the balls and the tracks of the
bearings. This phenomenon causes a premature
deterioration even the destruction of the bearings of the
motor used in the drives at variable speed [2, 3, 4].

Fig. 1. General diagram and various elements of the variable

speed transmission.

2. MODELING OF THE CABLES

The modeling of the cables of transport of energy is
described by the theory of transmission lines which uses
two terms: Homogeneity and conservation of current. The
definitions of these two terms are represented below: [5]
- Homogeneity: a transmission line is made at least of
two conductors simultaneously with the same axis.
Geometrical Parameters (conductor radius, outdistances
between the centers conductor, lengths) and physics
(dielectric nature of the conductors or insulators) is then
considered constant over the entire length of the line.
- Conservation of the current: The sums of the currents
of the conductors go" equal and opposed to the sum of
the conducting currents "return". These lines are
characterized by primary and secondary parameters [1]:

Primary parameters or linear parameters:

One defines, with the pulsation , longitudinal

impedance Z and the admittance Y linear by the relations:
Z R jL

(1)
Y G jC

(2)

Secondary parameters:

The characteristic impedance is equal to the square of

the ratio of the longitudinal impedance on the transverse
admittance. When the impedance of the source and the
load are equal to the impedance characteristic of the line,
there is no reflexion of wave.
Z c ()

R jL
G jC

(3)
From these definitions and by decomposing the line in
basic cells associated into series, it is possible to establish
the relations between the currents and the voltages in a
homogeneous transmission line (Fig. 2).
We consider an element of the line length dx
characterized by the longitudinal elements R.dX and
L.dX and transverse elements C.dX and G.d X.
The voltages and the currents are respectively U(x)
and I (x) at the entry, U(x +dx) and I(x +dx) at the exit.

Fig. 4. Equivalent diagram of a shielded of a two conductors

cable.

3. RESULTS OF SIMULATION
To model the energy cable, we chose to use a model of
the circuit type in order to be able to use the LTspice
software to simulate the whole of a conversion system [6].
A. Effect of the cable parameters
Using this software, we analyzed the influence of the
effects of the cables parameters on all the feeding system
of load. One starts initially with:
1. Capacitive effects influence
The influence of the capacitive the cable effects can be
simply highlighted in a model of connection between a
basic cell of commutation and (R-L) load, with and
without capacity.

Fig. 2. Elementary section of a transmission line.

The modeling of the electric cables is done according

to the number of the conductors and of their nature
(shielded or not shielded), the following figures show the
geometrical forms and the characteristics of some electric
cables:
Fig. 5. Inductive connection (or inductive + capacitive) [1]

Simulations for these

represented on figure 6:

Fig. 3. Geometrical characteristic of a three conductors cable

not shielded and their diagram equivalents.

two

configurations

are

By analyzing figure 6, one can say that more, the

capacitive effect (capacity of escapes) is high; more the
undulations of the voltage and the current is large. For a
voltage of 250V; we obtain an overvoltage of 20V and an
over current of 60 mA for the cable model which contains
a capacity of 3000 nF. Thus, if the capacity which is
introduced into the model of the cable has a sufficiently
significant value, it is at the origin of overvoltage and
over currents imposed on the load; thus the capacitive
effect is very harmful [7].
2. Overvoltage influence:
One indicates by overvoltage any a normal potential
difference appearing in the electric circuits and which is
likely to damage the elements of these circuits. The
increase in the gradients of voltage imposed by the
switches of power used in the drives speed causes the
appearance of overvoltage at the extremities of the motor
when the cable is long [8, 9].

Those can lead the breakdown of insulator of winding

motor. One distinguishes two kinds of overvoltage:
-

Transversals appearing between a conductor and

ground or two conductors.

Longitudinal or between turns, corresponding to

an increase exaggerated in the potential difference
between two points close to the same conductor.

(d)
Fig. 6. Influence capacitive nature of the cable: (a) Running
without capacitive effect, (b) Running with capacitive effect
(c=3000nF), (c) voltage without capacitive effect, (d) voltage
with capacitive effect (c=3000nF).

In order to illustrate this phenomenon, we simulated

the behavior of a load of RL type on which we impose a
voltage by the intermediary of a 100 m cable for the two
following cases:

(a)

a- A not shielded cable of 100 m (Fig. 7).

(b)
(a)

(b)
(c)

Fig. 7. Length influence of the not shielded cable of 100 m: (a)

voltage of entry; (b) Output voltage.

We used a LTspice model of not shielded cable defined

by the following linear parameters:
R = 65m/m, L=280nH/m and C = 60pF/m [10].
We note on figure 7, a significant influence length of
the not shielded cable on overvoltage at the end of this
one. By analyzing this figure, we note that for a level of
200V voltage; we obtain an overvoltage of 56V for a not
shielded cable of 100 m. What shows it clearly in figure
8.

Fig. 8. Overvoltage on a not shielded cable of 100 m

b- A shielded cable of 100 m (Fig. 9).

We used an LTspice model of shielded cable defined by
the same linear parameters of the cable not shielded. We
note on this figure the influence of shielding and length
of the cable on overvoltage at the end of this one.

Fig. 10. Overvoltage on a shielded cable of 100 m

B-Association of the cable and the Motor

In the second part of this work, we studied and
modeled the association of the cable and the motor which
feeds it to entirely define influence EMC on the load. The
purpose of this stage is thus to bring back the impedance
of the motor on the outlet side of the variable speed
transmission through the electric cable according to two
following modes:
1- Measure impedance in total common mode
The disturbances of common mode on the cables in
high frequency are the cause of the principal problem of
the EMC. The results of simulation are presented at
figure 11.

Fig. 9. Influence length of the shielded cable of 100 m

For a level of 200V voltage; we obtain an overvoltage

of 15V for a shielded cable of 100 m, which shows clearly
the figure 10.
By analyzing the fig. 8 and fig. 10, one observes a
reduction in overvoltage of 56V (for a not shielded cable)
with 15V (for a shielded cable) length of 100 m. the
shielding in the cables neglects overvoltage at the
extremities of the load because the shielded cable has the
effect to avoid the capacitive coupling between the
conductors located on both sides.
Thus, the shielding eliminates some share the
capacitive effect of the not shielded cable. If the length of
the shielded cable increases overvoltage at the extremities
of the load increases too. There is a relation between the
length of the shielded cable and their impedance which
contains capacities which is at the origin of the
overvoltage imposed on the load.

Fig.11. Impedance between phase and the ground in common

mode: (a) alone motor; (b) motor + 50 m of cable; (c) motor +
100 m of cable

By analyzing the fig. 11, one notes that the impedance

strongly decreases according to the frequency.

- For frequency 10 kHz the impedance is 35 k when
the motor is alone, its 4,5 k whit the motor plus 50 m
of cable and finally 2,5 k for the motor plus 100 m of
cable.
- For frequency 1MHz the impedance is 500 when
the motor is alone, its 50 whit the motor plus 50 m of
cable and finally 20 for the motor plus 100 m of cable.
Thus, for dephasings, one can notice that dephasing
decreases by adding a cable supplying the motor. One can
see on figure 12 that at the frequency of 100kHz,
dephasing is of -17 when the motor is alone, on the
other hand its -80 for the motor plus 50 m of cable and
finally -84 for the motor plus 100 m of cable.

Fig. 13. Impedance enters a phase and the ground in differential

mode: (A) motor alone, (b) moteur+ 50m of cable, (c) moteur+
100m of cable

Fig.12. Dephasing enters a phase and the ground in common

mode: (a) alone motor, (b) motor + 50m of cable, (c) motor+
100m of cable

2- Measure impedance in total differential mode

The electromagnetic disturbances on the cables couple
only in a very weak way directly in differential mode. The
impedance strongly decreases for significant lengths (fig.
13). When the conductors go and return is closer and
reasonably far from the sources to the disturbances, one
can certainly neglect the disturbances in differential
mode. In practice, it is the conversion of the common
mode into differential mode by the dissymmetry of
entered which poses and complicates the problem.

Fig. 14. Dephasing enters a phase and the ground in differential

mode: (a) alone motor, (b) motor + 50m of cable, (c) motor +
100m of cable

In low frequency the total capacity between rulings up

of the stator is about 1,5 nF for a small size motor. The
cable used here, involves cavity an increase in the total
capacity between a phase and the ground.
By comparing the results of figure 11 (in common
mode) with those of figure 13 (in differential mode), one
can note that the impedance strongly decreases for more

6
[3]

G.Gay, A. Riboulot, A. Guignabel " Electromagnetic disturbances

low and high frequency", Intersections documentation, the magazine
Schneider Electric of technological and professional teaching, June
2000, 16 pages.

[4]

S. Chen, T. A. Lipo, D. Fitzgerald, "Modeling of motor bearing

currents in PWM inverter drives", IEEE Transactions on Industry
Applications, vol. 32, n6, November/December 1996, pp. 13651370.

[5]

V. Costa, S. Caniggia, L. Catello, "On the Computation of

Electromagnetic Field Components From a Transmission Line:
Theory and Application", IEEE, 1990.

[6]

http://www.montefiore.ulg.ac.be/~vdh/supports-elen00751/presentation-LTspiveIV.pdf

[7]

Mario cacciato, Alfio Consoli, Giuseppe Scarcella, and Antonio

Testa, " Reduction of common-Mode currents in PWM Inverter
Motor Drives", IEEE Transaction on Industry Applications, Vol. 35,
NO. 2, March/April 1999.

[8]

Christian Martin " Towards a methodology of Design of the

interconnections for the devices of the Electronics of power ", Thesis
of doctorate, University of Joseph Fourier 2006.

So the electromagnetic disturbances are only coupled

very slightly on the cables in differential mode.

[9]

Miloudi Houcine, "Modeling C.E.M of a three-phase inverter

supplying an asynchronous motor", Magister (University UDL of Sidi
Bel-Abbs) December 2007.

4. CONCLUSION

[10] Yannick Weens, N. Idir, J.J. Franchaud, and R. Bausiere, "comparison

of two methods of modeling of HF of an asynchronous motor", Holy
Malo, France, April 4-6, 2006.

significant lengths for the common mode, on the other

hand in differential mode, the impedance increases to the
peak of resonance then strongly decreases for lengths
importances(Fig. 13).
The curve of impedance of the motor is relocated and
the peaks of resonance are shifted towards the low
frequencies. The resonances induced by the elements of
the cable appear clearly for lengths higher than 1m.
Therefore, one can conclude that the disturbances from
common mode which pose the most electromagnetic
problem of compatibility, because of current which is
propagated on all the conductors in the same direction
and returns by the mass through the stray capacities on
the other hand the current in differential mode is
propagated on one of the conductors and passes through
the receiver then, it and returns in opposition of phase by
another conductor [11].

The models obtained by this study make it possible to

identify the ways of propagation of the currents high
frequency (HF) in the variable speed transmissions, and
to propose solutions making it possible to reduce
overvoltage at the extremities of the motor. We saw that a
source of disturbances reached its victim by the means of
a coupling; it is on this level that it is necessary to act. We
will see the harmful effects which the cables of energy
can introduce shielded and not when they connect a
converter to a motor. When the length of the cable
increases, one observes at the extremities of the motor of
overvoltage which can reach the double of the voltage
applied to the entry of the cable. One also observes
current HF of common mode and differential mode which
circulate through the elements of the system and which
can deteriorate the bearings of the motor and insulator.
These currents HF cross the bearings by causing a
transfer of metal between the balls and the tracks of the
bearings.
Thus the purpose of the electromagnetic shielding are
to attenuate the electromagnetic field emitted by an
apparatus in order to make it in conformity with the
international standards of radiated emission and to
decrease the ambient electromagnetic field received by
the internal circuits of the apparatus, to make it in
conformity with the standards radiated immunity.

REFERENCES
[1]

Weens Yannick " Modeling of the cables of energy subjected to the

constraints generated by the electronic converters of power" thesis of
doctorate of the university of Lille, December 12, 2006.

[2]

N. Idir, R. Bausire, J.J. Franchaud " Identification of the ways of

propagation of the interference currents in an electronic variator
speed", CEM 2004 International Conference of Electromagnetic
Compatibility, March 16-18, 2004, Toulouse, France, pp. 395-398.

[11] H. Miloudi, A. Bendaoud, K. Medles, M. Benhadjla, A. Gourbi, M.

Brahami, "Modeling of Differential-Mode and Common-Mode
Characteristics for EMI/EMC Analysis Applied to a High- Frequency
Induction Motor" IV International Symposium on Power Quality
SICEL-2007, 19-22 Novembre 2007, Colombia.