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This blog covers numerous topics on industrial automation such as operations & management, continuous & batch processing, connectivity, manufacturing & machine control, and Industry 4.0.

The material and information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. ISA blog posts may be authored by ISA staff and guest authors from the automation community. Views and opinions expressed by a guest author are solely their own, and do not necessarily represent those of ISA. Posts made by guest authors have been subject to peer review.

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AutoQuiz: How to Calculate the Speed of a Four-Pole Synchronous Motor

AutoQuiz is edited by Joel Don, ISA's social media community manager.

Today's automation industry quiz question comes from the ISA Certified Automation Professional certification program. ISA CAP certification provides a non-biased, third-party, objective assessment and confirmation of an automation professional's skills. The CAP exam is focused on direction, definition, design, development/application, deployment, documentation, and support of systems, software, and equipment used in control systems, manufacturing information systems, systems integration, and operational consulting. Click this link for information about the CAP program. The following question comes from the CAP study guide, Performance Domain V, Deployment.

autoquiz-20161118-calculate-speed-four-pole-synchronous-motor

Considering a 60 Hz power source, at what speed does a four-pole synchronous motor run?

a) 1200 RPM
b) 1800 RPM
c) 2400 RPM
d) 3600 RPM
e) none of the above

Synchronous speed in RPM = (two × frequency × 60) / (number of poles). For a 60 Hz, four pole motor that would be = (two × 60 × 60) / four = 1800

The correct answer is B, 1800 revolutions per minute (RPM).

Reference: Webb, Industrial Control Electronics, Merrill Publishing, 1990

Joel Don
Joel Don
Joel Don is an independent content marketing, social media and public relations consultant. Prior to his work in marketing and PR, Joel served as an editor for regional newspapers and national magazines throughout the U.S. He earned a master's degree from the Medill School at Northwestern University with a focus on science, engineering and biomedical marketing communications, and a bachelor of science degree from UC San Diego.

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