Pull-in criterion for reluctance motors

Abstract
The behaviour of reluctance machines during synchronisation and attempted synchronisation is carefully examined. Critical modes of synchronisation are identified, and, based on these, a pull-in criterion is developed. This enables the possible combinations of inertia and load torque that any given motor can synchronise to be simply and reliably predicted. Evaluation of the criterion can be carried out manually, making it entirely suitable for routine design purposes. The accuracy of the criterion is established by comparison with a wide range of transient solutions.