Simplified thermal model for open type 1.5 kW synchronous reluctance motor using thermal equivalent circuit and finite element method

In this study, two thermal models, the thermal equivalent circuit (TEC) and finite element method (FEM), were used for the transient thermal analysis of an open-type synchronous reluctance motor. Both the transient TEC method and the FEM were carried out for longer than 3 h after the motor was driven to reach a steady state. The results were compared with experimental results to verify the feasibility of the two thermal models. When the experimental results were compared with the TEC method results, the average temperature difference of all the parts was within 9 %. When the experimental and FEM results were compared, the average temperature difference of all the parts was within 7 %. Therefore, both thermal models are suitable for predicting the motor temperature.