Classification and Analysis of

NEMA Induction Machines using

MATLAB Visualization and Modeling
Colin Sanders and William Morlan

Abstract This paper demonstrates the classification and

analysis of NEMA induction machines using MATLAB
visualization and modeling of specific machine designs. A custom
GUI has been designed for this purpose, able to convert a set of
low-level motor specifications into graphs that display the motors
expected behavior for all possible speeds of rotation. As the lowlevel parameters themselves are not normally known to the user, it
is practical to apply this software in the reverse direction,
estimating such parameters by modeling a machines known output
characteristic through experimentation with the GUI. The reports
initial focus is placed on the formulation and proper use of the
developed software, but the primary topic is the results of induction
machine analysis. These results include the identification of a
NEMA induction machine type (A, B, C, or D) from a designated
group of default inputs, in addition to the exemplification of each
machine type.

I. INTRODUCTION

HIS paper is prompted by an interest in the

influence of induction machine design on its output
characteristics and written for those who intend on
experimenting further with the developed Graphical User
Interface (GUI). An induction machine, or induction motor,
is supplied with constant AC power to its stator. The stator of
an induction motor is a stationary, hollow cylinder that
conventionally has one or three windings through which
current flows, generating a rotating magnetic field. These
windings can be looped around the stator to create multiple
pairs of magnetic poles. The speed of rotation of the stators
magnetic field is known as the synchronous speed. Within
the stator is a detached cylinder with secondary windings
called the rotor; this is the moving part of the motor. The
stators changing magnetic field induces a current in the
rotor windings, and to oppose this, the rotor produces torque
and accelerates until the induced current balances the load
on the motor. [1-2]
The stator and the rotor of the motor each have
resistances, as well as associated inductance leakages.
Because of these, even without an applied load, the speed at
which the rotor rotates is less than the synchronous speed of
the motor. The difference between the actual speed and the
synchronous speed is called slip, and is usually given as a
percentage difference.
The rated rotor current, torque, and slip are the specific
values measured when a full-load is applied to the rotor.

With real induction machines, these rated values are

measured from the operating motor, but expected values can
be derived from mathematical analysis of the equivalent
circuit of the motor shown below in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Equivalent Circuit for an Induction Machine [2]

In the equivalent circuit, all rotor impedances have been

referred to the side of the stator. V1 is the applied AC
voltage, I1 and I2 represent AC current, E1 is the induced
emf in the rotor, s is the slip at which the machine is
operating, and R and L represent resistances and inductances
of the motor. [2]
With a basic knowledge of induction machine workings,
the following output characteristics are calculable:
Rotor current vs. speed
Power factor vs. speed
Torque vs. speed
Real power vs. speed
Efficiency vs. speed
In addition to approximating these relationships graphically,
the MATLAB GUI reports values for rated speed, rated slip,
rated current, and rated torque.
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association
(hence-forth NEMA) divides motors into four categories (A,
B, C, and D) based on the locked-rotor torque, locked-rotor
current, and rated slip. One motor from each of these
categories will be evaluated using the MATLAB application,
so as to gain a better understand the characteristics and
properties of that motor [3]. In some sources, a fifth
classification is referenced; however, it is usually a subset of
type A, and is not included in NEMAs official sources [4].

II. MATLAB GUI

In order to plot the current, power factor, torque, real
power, and efficiency of the induction machine, the
following parameters are required: the applied AC voltage

magnitude in volts (V1), the frequency of V1 in Hz (f), the

number of magnetic poles in the motor (p), the number of
stator windings or phases (q), the stator-referred
resistances in ohms (Rs, Rr) and inductances in henries (Ls,
Lr, Lm), and the desired rated horsepower of the motor. The
GUI has been restrained to accept an input of only one- and
three-phase motors; for three phases, the configuration of the
windings must also be specified as Y-connected or connected. Also, with reference to Fig. 1, by convention the
stator inductance Ls is the sum Lm + Lls, and likewise the
rotor inductance Lr = Lm + Llr.

Torque =

(4)

60* Pout
2* speed

Efficiency = = Pout/Pin

(5)

For a Y-connected three-phase motor, V1 is the input line-toline voltage divided by

B. Proper GUI Operation

There are a few technicalities the user of the software
should be familiar with. The most important of these is the
previously mentioned constraint of the inputs Ls and Lr;
both inputs must be greater than Lm and close in value to
one another. There are other bounds on the motor
impedances as well. When Rr is zero ohms, no real power is
produced and the motor cannot operate. When Lm is zero
ohms, the stator cannot produce a magnetic field and the
motor cannot operate. Furthermore, the number of poles
should be even and the frequency of the input must be
greater than zero Hz.
As a final note, the rated horsepower is not used in
calculations. Its purpose as an input is to define the speed at
which the machines other ratings are measured. The true
operating region of the induction machine is primarily at
speeds greater than the maximum power and torque, so the
rated horsepower always marks a speed higher than the
maximum torque speed.

III. NEMA LETTER CLASSIFICATIONS

Fig. 2. Default GUI display

A. Calculations

A. Classification Characteristics

The graphs are obtained using the following equations.

Note that ss is the synchronous speed of the motor.
120*f
ss - speed
p
ss
= 2f; ss =
; slip s =
Xm=jLm; Xs = jf*Ls Xm; Xr = jf*Lr Xm

As previously mentioned, motors are evaluated based on

locked-rotor current, locked-rotor torque, and rated slip.
Locked-rotor torque, sometimes called starting torque, is
defined as The minimum torque developed by the motor at
rest for all angular positions of the rotor, with rated voltage
applied at rated frequency [3]. Likewise, locked-rotor
current is the steady-state current through the stationary
motor, and the rated voltage is applied at the rated frequency
[3]. More exact delimitations for the various motor types
can be found in Table 1.

I1 =

V1
Rr
X m ||(
+X r )+R s +X s
s

E1 =I1*[X m ||(

Rr
+X r )]
s

Pin = q*|V1|*|I1|*cos(E1-I1)
E1
I2 =
Rr
+ Xr
s
Power factor = cos(E1-I2)
Pout = q*|I2|2*Rr*

1-s
s

Table 1: NEMA motor classifications [3]

(1)

(2)
(3)

Motor
Type

Locked-rotor
Current (as %
of rated
current)
Not defined

Rated
Slip
(%)

Typical
Uses

Lockedrotor Torque
(as % of
rated torque)
70-275

0.5-5.0

70-275

600-700

0.5-5.0

200-285

600-700

1-5

275

600-700

5-8

Fans,
Blowers
Fans,
Blowers
Conveyors,
Crushers
Elevators

fit perfectly into any of the NEMA design classifications, it

most closely resembles a type B motor, given its relatively
low locked-rotor torque and current.

IV. INDUCTION MACHINE PARAMETRIZATION

B. Example Induction Machine Evaluation
As a test of the developed GUI, default parameters are
loaded upon start-up. The induction machine described by
these is a four-pole, three-phase, Y-connected motor with the
characteristics listed in table 2.
Table 2: Example motor input characteristics
Parameter
Value
Rated horsepower
40 HP
Line-to-line AC voltage
460 V
Frequency
60 Hz
Stator resistance (Rs)
0.220
Rotor resistance (Rr)
0.209
Magnetization inductance (Lm)
0.0400 H
Stator inductance (Ls)
0.0425 H
Rotor inductance (Lr)
0.0430 H

To further test the developed application, an example of

each of the four NEMA designs was evaluated in the GUI.
Type A
A type A motor is defined by a high locked rotor torque
and a high locked rotor current [3]. An example of a four
pole, three-phase, y-connected, type A motor can be modeled
using the parameters found in Table 4.
Table 4: Type A motor input parameters
Parameter
Value
Rated horsepower
30 hp
Line-to-line AC voltage
460 V
Frequency
60 Hz
Stator resistance (Rs)
0.220
Rotor resistance (Rr)
0.209
Magnetization inductance (Lm)
0.0200 H
Stator inductance (Ls)
0.02115 H
Rotor inductance (Lr)
0.0215H
According to the MATLAB application, the motor
described by the type A parameters has a rated slip of 2.7%,
a rated speed of 1751 rpm, a rated current of 31.6 A, a rated
torque of 122.0 Nm, and a synchronous speed of 1800 rpm.
The locked-rotor current is 750% of the rated current, and
the locked-rotor torque is 152% of the rated torque. The
various curves and graphs produced by the application are
shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 3. Visualization of Example Induction Machine Output

Other characteristics of the example motor, as calculated

by the MATLAB application, can be observed in Fig. 3, can
be found in table 3.
Table 3: Example motor output characteristics
Output Trait
Value
Rated slip
4.39%
Rated Speed
1721 rpm
Synchronous Speed
1800 rpm
Rated Current
46.80 A
Rated Torque
165.5 Nm
Locked-rotor torque
29.6%
Locked-rotor current
254%
Comparison can now be made to the NEMA letter
classifications in Table 1. While the example motor does not

Fig. 4. Output Curves for a Type A Induction Machine

Type B
A type B motor is defined by a normal locked rotor torque
and a normal locked rotor current [3]. An example of a four

pole, three-phase, y-connected, type B motor can be

described using the parameters found in Table 5.

Table 5: Type B motor input parameters

Parameter
Value
Rated horsepower
30 hp
Line-to-line AC voltage
460 V
Frequency
60 Hz
Stator resistance (Rs)
0.320
Rotor resistance (Rr)
0.259
Magnetization inductance (Lm)
0.0200 H
Stator inductance (Ls)
0.02125 H
Rotor inductance (Lr)
0.0215H

Magnetization inductance (Lm)

0.0200 H
Stator inductance (Ls)
0.0222 H
Rotor inductance (Lr)
0.0215H
When put into the MATLAB application, the motor
described by the type C parameters has a rated speed of
1714, a rated slip of 4.78%, a rated current of 26.74 A, a
rated torque of 99.71 Nm, and a synchronous speed of 1800
rpm. The locked-rotor current is 632% of the rated current,
and the locked-rotor torque is 201% of the rated torque. The
various curves produced by the application are shown in
Figure 6. As is typical for a type C motor, the slope of the
torque vs. speed graph is noticeably smaller than the slope
on the corresponding graph for a type A or B motor [3].

When put into the MATLAB application, the motor

described by the type B parameters has a rated speed of
1737, a rated slip of 3.5%, a rated current of 32.4 A, a rated
torque of 123.0 Nm, and a synchronous speed of 1800 rpm.
The locked-rotor current is 693% of the rated current, and
the locked-rotor torque is 71.6% of the rated torque. The
various curves produced by the application are shown in
Figure 5. It may be noted that the shapes of most of the
graphs for the type B motor are very similar to the
corresponding curves for the type A motor. Indeed, the only
real difference between motors of type A and type B is the
increased current in type A.
Fig. 6. Output Curves for a Type C Induction Machine

Type D
Type D motors are characterized by a high starting Torque
and a high slip [3]. Additionally, the highest torque they can
achieve is also the locked-rotor torque [4]. An example of a
four pole, three-phase, y-connected, type C motor can be
modeled using the parameters found in Table 7.

Fig. 5. Output Curves for a Type B Induction Machine

Type C
A type C motor is defined by a high locked rotor torque
and a high locked rotor current [3]. An example of a four
pole, three-phase, y-connected, type C motor can be
modeled using the parameters found in Table 6.
Table 6: Type C motor input parameters
Parameter
Value
Rated horsepower
24 hp
Line-to-line AC voltage
460 V
Frequency
60 Hz
Stator resistance (Rs)
0.110
Rotor resistance (Rr)
0.418

Table 7: Type D motor input parameters

Parameter
Value
Rated horsepower
30 hp
Line-to-line AC voltage
460 V
Frequency
60 Hz
Stator resistance (Rs)
0.110
Rotor resistance (Rr)
0.5045
Magnetization inductance (Lm)
0.0200 H
Stator inductance (Ls)
0.0203 H
Rotor inductance (Lr)
0.0210 H
The characteristics of the type D motor, as modeled by the
MATLAB Application, can be seen in Figure 7. The most
notable difference in the type D curves compared to the
output curves of other motors it the fact that maximum
power output occurs at a much lower speed than in other
motor types.

A. Stator Resistance

Fig. 7. Output Curves for a Type D Induction Machine

V. INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
The model outputs for induction machines A, B, C and D
were all standardized upon a four-pole, three-phase, Yconnected motor with identical input voltages (i.e.
magnitude and frequency), identical horsepower ratings
(with the exception of Type C which differs only slightly),
and
identical
magnetization
inductances.
These
characteristics, other than the magnetization inductance, are
all determined in the manufacturing of the induction
machine. The magnetization inductance is kept the same
because it is not only essential to the operation of the motor,
but also affects the output characteristics very little while it
is relatively larger than the other inductances of the motor. In
summary, the identical values were chosen in order to
investigate the differences in motor resistances and
inductances across the four NEMA classifications. Table 8
summarizes these particular values for each induction
machine type.
Table 8: Parameter Estimates by Motor Type
Type

A
B
C
D

Stator
Resistance
(Rs)
0.220
0.320
0.110
0.110

Rotor
Resistanc
e (Rr)
0.209
0.259
0.418
0.5045

Stator
Inductance
(Ls)
0.02115 H
0.02125 H
0.02220 H
0.02030 H

Rotor
Inductance
(Lr)
0.0215 H
0.0215 H
0.0215 H
0.0210 H

As a final note prior to analysis of individual

parameters, recall from Table 1 that the practical force
of the motor normally increases with type in
alphabetical order. For example, Type A motors are
used in smaller devices such as simple fans, and Type
D motors are used in larger machines such as cranes.

The four data points do not increase or decrease

monotonically, so at best we can predict and compare the
expected effect of a change in stator resistance to the values
in Table 2. An increase in the stator resistance will generally
decrease the overall current through the induction machine,
which decreases the maximum power and torque. Thus we
expect a higher stator resistance in weaker Type A motors
and a lower one in Type D motors. This prediction is met by
the data; Type B motors are actually designed for a lower
starting current than Type A motors, so the stator resistance
needed to be increased to achieve the Type B output
characteristics and then decreased to obtain models for
Types C and D. Overall, we may infer that Type B motors
have the highest relative stator resistance, while Types C and
D have the lowest.

B. Rotor Resistance
The rotor resistance needed to be increased consistently in
alphabetical order of motor type, so it can be inferred that
Type A motors have relatively low rotor resistances and
Type D motors have relatively high rotor resistances. This
correlation matches the implications of increased rotor
resistance: higher output power factor, higher rated slip, and
generally higher locked-rotor torque as a result of an
increased induced voltage over the rotor. However, it is
important to note that these implications occur alongside an
almost constant rotor inductance.
C. Stator Inductance
The desired motor characteristics were obtained with a
slight increase in stator inductance in motors A, B, and C
and an extremely small stator inductance in motor D. The
expected results of an increased stator inductance are more
leakage in the stator, which decreases the overall current,
output power, and therefore torque. The important
realization to be made relates to the rotor resistance. In
machine types A, B, and C, higher rotor resistance must be
countered by a higher stator inductance in order to ensure
the locked-rotor torque stays relatively low else the motors
may break their devices as they turn on. Conversely, Type D
motors actually require high locked-rotor torque in their
design, but suffer from high slip and lower current. Thus
Type D machines are manufactured with very low stator
inductances in order to maintain the desired power of the
motor induced by a high rotor resistance.

D. Rotor Inductance
The output characteristics were produced with nearly
constant rotor inductance. During experimentation, it was
found that the rotor inductance was (roughly) inversely
proportional to the magnitude of the motors rotor current,
power, and torque. It is therefore natural to infer that a rotor
inductance of zero would be ideal for any motor, as the
component leeches off the power factor and causes the slip
to increase. For all published test cases, rotor inductance
minimization was assumed, so the value was kept constant
in order to demonstrate that the effects of the other
parameters.

VI. SUGGESTIONS FOR GUI IMPROVEMENT

The application, as currently written, provides only a
minimal amount of data, aside from the graphs, in the
output. Providing more specific numbers might be in order.
In particular, it might be useful for some users of the
application for the pull-up torque and breakdown torque to
be explicitly provided, rather than merely shown in the
output graphs. Additionally, it would probably be useful to
add an option to show current and torque as a percentage of
the rated value, rather than simply in amps or newtonmeters, since, when classifying machines as a certain NEMA
design, what matters is the torque relative to the rated value
[3].

VII. CONCLUSION
In this paper, an induction machine analyzer is presented
alongside the results of the classification of four NEMA
motor types. By testing the software on the input and output
s

side, it is possible both to obtain low-level parameter models

of each classification of motor and to classify a motor based
on its design specifications. The example classification was
ineffective, with locked-rotor torque much too low to
represent a real motor. It is likely that the example is rated
much too high, or that the impedances are unrealistic. Yet
even this information is not entirely useless, as the user of
the software can realize impossible induction machines
through the production of output characteristics that do not
match any known motor. For the classification of NEMA
motor types A, B, C, and D, focus is placed on the
resistances
and inductances of the stator and rotor. The stronger motors
practically have relatively low stator resistance, low stator
inductance, and high rotor resistance, while weaker motors
have higher stator impedances and low rotor resistance. The
rotor inductance is best minimized for any induction
machine.
Future work should take into further account the effect
each induction machine parameter has on others. For
example, it is likely that the amount of inductance in the
stator and rotor are linked. Y-connection of a 3-phase motor
could also correlate with more or less leakage than connection. This research on motor theory would be
supplemented well through a case study of real, working
induction machines.

REFERENCES
[1] Induction motor, Internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_
motor, April 16, 2015 [April 16, 2015].
[2] R. Harley. ECE 3072 Class Lecture, Topic: Electric Machines. VL
W200, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, Feb. 25, 2015.
[3] Information Guide for General Purpose Industrial AC Small and
Medium Squirrel-Cage Induction Motor Standards, Internet:
www.nema.org, April 16, 2015
[4] TORQUE CHARACTERISTICS of NEMA DESIGN A, B, C, D &
E MOTORS, Internet: www.landbelectric.com, March 26, 2015