7

INDUCTION MOTOR
7.1 General Principle
As a general rule, conversion of electrical power into mechanical power takes
place in the rotating part of an electric motor. In dc motors, the electric power is
conducted directly to the armature (i.e. rotating part) through brushes and commutator.
Hence, in this sense, a dc motor can be called a conduction motor. However, in ac
motors, the rotor does not receive electric power by conduction but by induction in
exactly the same way as the secondary of a 2-winding transformer receives its power
from the primary. That is why such motors are known as induction motors. In fact, an
induction motor can be treated as a rotating transformer i.e. one in which primary
winding is stationary but the secondary is free to rotate.

7.2 Structural Details of Induction Motors

(a) Frame : Made of close-grind alloy cast iron.
(b) Stator and rotor core: Built from high quality, low loss steel laminations and flash
enameled on both sides.
(c) Stator and rotor windings: Have moisture-proof tropical insulation embodying
mica and high quality varnishes. Are carefully spaced for most effective air
circulation and are rigidly braced to withstand centrifugal forces and any short
circuit stresses.
(d) Air gap: The stator rabbets and bore are machined carefully o ensure uniformity
of air gap.

(e) Shafts and bearings: Ball and roller bearings are used to suit heavy duty, troublefree running and for enhanced service life.
(f) Fans; Light aluminum fans are used for cooling.
(g) Slip-rings and slip-ring enclosures: Slip-rings are made of high quality phosphorbronze and are of molded construction.

7.3 Construction
An induction motor consists essentially of two main parts:
a) a stator
b) a rotor
7.3.1

Stator

It is made up of a number of stampings, which are slotted to receive the windings.

The stator carries a 3-phase winding and is fed from a 3-phase supply. It is wound for
a definite number of poles, the exact number of poles being determined by the
requirements of speed. Greater the number of poles, lesser the speed and vice versa.
The stator windings, when supplied with 3-phase currents, produce a magnetic flux,
which is of constant magnitude but which resolves (or rotates) at synchronous speed
(given by Ns = 120 f/P). This revolving magnetic flux induces an emf in the rotor by
mutual induction.
7.3.2

Rotor

Rotors are of two types viz, squirrel cage induction motor and phase wound or wound
rotor.

Squirrel-cage rotor: Motors employing this type of rotor are known as squirrelcage induction motors.

Phase-wound or wound rotor: Motors employing this type of rotor are variously
known as phase-wound motors or wound motors or as slip-ring motors.

7.3.2.1 Squirrel-cage Rotor

A typical squirrel-cage rotor is shown in Fig. 7.1. The rotor consists of a
cylindrical laminated core with parallel slots for carrying the rotor conductors which, it
should be noted clearly, are not wires but consist of heavy bars of copper, aluminium or
alloys. One bar is placed in each slot; rather the bars are inserted from the end when
semi-closed slots are used. The rotor bars are brazed or electrically welded or bolted to
two heavy and stout short-circuiting end-rings, thus giving us, what is so picturesquely
called, a squirrel-cage construction.

.
Fig. 71 Squirrel-Cage Induction Rotor

The rotor slots are usually not quite parallel to the shaft but are purposely given a
slight skew. This is useful in two ways:
(i) the motor run quietly by reducing the magnetic hum and
(ii)

reducing the locking tendency of the rotor i.e. the tendency of the rotor
teeth to remain under the stator teeth due to direct magnetic attraction
between the two.

Another form of rotor consists of a solid cylinder of steel without any conductors
or slots at all. The motor operation depends upon the production of eddy currents in the
steel rotor.

7.3.2.2 Phase-Wound Rotor or Slip-Ring Rotor

This type of rotor is provided with 3-phase, double-layer, distributed winding

consisting of coils as used in alternators. The rotor is wound for as many poles as the
number of stator poles and is always wound 3-phase even when the stator is wound two
phase.
The slip-ring rotor is shown in the Fig. 7.2 and its internal structure is given in
Fig. 7.3. The three phases are starred internally. The other three winding terminals are
brought out and connected to three insulated slip-rings mounted on the shaft with brushes
resting on them. These three brushes are further externally connected to a 3-phase starconnected rheostat. This makes possible the introduction of additional resistance in the
rotor circuit during the starting period for increasing the starting torque of the motor, and
for changing its speed-torque/current characteristics. The brushes are automatically lifted
from the slip-rings to reduce the frictional losses and the wear and tear. Hence, it is seen
that under normal running conditions, the wound rotor is short-circuited on itself just like
the squirrel-cage rotor.

Fig. 7.2 Slip-Ring Rotor

Fig. 7.3 Slip-ring rotor internal structure

7.4 Rotating Field

Before discussing how a rotating magnetic field will cause a motor rotor to turn, we must
first find out how a rotating magnetic field is produced. Figure 1 illustrates a three-phase
stator to which a three-phase AC current is supplied. The windings are connected in wye.
The two windings in each phase are wound in the same direction.

Figure 7.4 Three-Phase Stator

At any instant in time, the magnetic field generated by one particular phase will
depend on the current through that phase. If the current through that phase is zero, the

resulting magnetic field is zero. If the current is at a maximum value, the resulting field is
at a maximum value. Since the currents in the three windings are 120 out of phase, the
magnetic fields produced will also be 120 out of phase. The three magnetic fields will
combine to produce one field, which will act upon the rotor. In an AC induction motor, a
magnetic field is induced in the rotor opposite in polarity of the magnetic field in the
stator. Therefore, as the magnetic field rotates in the stator, the rotor also rotates to
maintain its alignment with the stators magnetic field.
From one instant to the next, the magnetic fields of each phase combine to
produce a magnetic field whose position shifts through a certain angle. At the end of one
cycle of alternating current, the magnetic field will have shifted through 360, or one
revolution (Figure 7.5). Since the rotor has an opposing magnetic field induced upon it, it
will also rotate through one revolution.

Figure 7.5 Rotating Magnetic Field

At point T1, the current in phase C is at its maximum positive value. At the same
instance, the currents in phases A and B are at half of the maximum negative value. The
resulting magnetic field is established vertically downward, with the maximum field
strength developed across the C phase, between pole C (north) and pole C (south). This

magnetic field is aided by the weaker fields developed across phases A and B, with poles
A and B being north poles and poles A and B being south poles.
At Point T2, the current sine waves have rotated through 60 electrical degrees. At
this point, the current in phase A has increased to its maximum negative value. The
current in phase B has reversed direction and is at half of the maximum positive value.
Likewise, the current in phase C has decreased to half of the maximum positive value.
The resulting magnetic field is established downward to the left, with the maximum field
strength developed across the A phase, between poles A (north) and A (south). This
magnetic field is aided by the weaker fields developed across phases B and C, with poles
B and C being north poles and poles B and C being south poles. Thus, it can be seen that
the magnetic field within the stator of the motor has physically rotated 60.
At Point T3, the current sine waves have again rotated 60 electrical degrees from
the previous point for a total rotation of 120 electrical degrees. At this point, the current
in phase B has increased to its maximum positive value. The current in phase A has
decreased to half of its maximum negative value, while the current in phase C has
reversed direction and is at half of its maximum negative value also. The resulting
magnetic field is established upward to the left, with the maximum field strength
developed across phase B, between poles B (north) and B (south). This magnetic field is
aided by the weaker fields developed across phases A and C, with poles A and C being
north poles and poles A and C being south poles. Thus, it can be seen that the magnetic
field on the stator has rotated another 60 for a total rotation of 120. At Point T4, the
current sine waves have rotated 180 electrical degrees from Point T1 so that the

relationship of the phase currents is identical to Point T1 except that the polarity has
reversed.
Since phase C is again at a maximum value, the resulting magnetic field
developed across phase C will be of maximum field strength. However, with current flow
reversed in phase C the magnetic field is established vertically upward between poles C
(north) and C (south). As can be seen, the magnetic field has now physically rotated a
total of 180 from the starting.
At Point T5, phase A is at its maximum positive value, which establishes a
magnetic field upward to the right. Again, the magnetic field has physically rotated 60
from the previous point for a total rotation of 240. At Point T6, phase B is at its
maximum negative value, which will establish a magnetic field downward to the right.
The magnetic field has again rotated 60 from Point T5 for a total rotation of 300.
Finally, at Point T7, the current is returned to the same polarity and values as that
of Point T1. Therefore, the magnetic field established at this instance will be identical to
that established at Point T1. From this discussion it can be seen that for one complete
revolution of the electrical sine wave (360), the magnetic field developed in the stator of
a motor has also rotated one complete revolution (360). Thus, you can see that by
applying three-phase AC to three windings symmetrically spaced around a stator, a
rotating magnetic field is generated.

7.5 WORKING OF INDUCTION MOTOR

When a 3-phase stator winding is energized from a 3-phase supply a rotating

magnetic field is produced by the stator winding and runs at synchronous speed with
respect to it. The speed of the rotating magnetic field is given by

Ns = 120f/P

Where f = supply frequency

P = No. of stator poles

The rotating field crosses the air-gap and cuts the rotor conductors, which are
initially stationary. Due to the relative speed between the rotating magnetic field and the
initially stationary rotor, an e.m.f. is induced in the rotor conductors, in accordance with
Faradays laws of electromagnetic induction. Since the rotor circuit is short-circuited,
current starts flowing in the rotor conductors. Now the situation is similar to that of
current carrying conductors placed in a magnetic field. Hence, a mechanical force is
produced on the rotor conductors, which eventually leads to a torque. This torque tends to
move the rotor in the same direction as the rotating magnetic field.

7.6 CONCEPT OF SLIP

The fact that rotor is urged to follow the stator field can be explained by Lenzs
law. According to this law, the direction of rotor current will be such that they tend to
oppose the cause producing it. Now the cause producing the rotor current is the relative

speed between the rotating field and the stationary rotor. Hence, to reduce this relative
speed, the rotor starts running in the same direction as that of stator field and tries to
catch it. In practice the rotor can never reach the speed of the rotating magnetic field
produced by the stator. This is because if rotor runs at synchronous speed, then there is no
relative speed between the rotating magnetic field and the rotor. This causes rotor current
to become zero and hence no torque. In practice, windage and friction losses cause the
rotor to slow down. Hence, the rotor speed (N) is always less than the stator field speed
(Ns). The difference between the synchronous speed (Ns) of the rotating stator field and
the actual rotor speed (N) is called slip. It is usually expressed as a ratio of synchronous
speed.

Ns N
i.e. Slip (s) = N s

7.7 Comparison between Squirrel Cage motors and Wound Rotor motors

Item
Stator
Rotor

Wound Rotor
Wound Stator.
The rotor is wound.

Squirrel Cage
Wound Stator
Metal bars are housed in
rotor slots and the bars are
shorted at both ends by end

Ruggedness

rings.
Both stator and rotor being Only the
wound,

the

machine

is wound

stator

while

the

being
rotor

vulnerable

to

damage. containing non-destructible

Hence the machine is not metal cage, this machine is

Electrical

rugged.
extremely rugged.
Machine characteristics can Machine characteristics are

Characteristics

be

varied

through

the fixed as the rotor circuit is

insertion of external rotor closed on itself preventing

circuit resistance.
Starting

inclusion

of

external

resistance.
High starting torque and The short circuited rotor
lower starting current.

causes low starting torque

Maintenance

More maintenance.

and high starting current.

Almost maintenance free.

Cost

More expensive compared Very cheap.

to cage motors.

7.8 Applications of Induction Motor

3-phase IM
Single phase IM

Lifts, cranes, pumps, exhaust fans, laths etc.

Domestic electrical applications like fan refrigerator, washing
machine, exhaust pump etc.

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Explain the constructional details of an induction motor with the help of necessary
diagrams.
2. What are the main parts of an induction motor?

3. Explain the construction of an induction motor stator.

4. What are the types of induction machine rotors?
5. Explain squirrel-cage rotor.
6. Explain squirrel slip-ring rotor.
7. How rotating field is generated in an induction machine? Explain.
8. What is the significance of the rotating magnetic field in an induction motor?
9. What is the need of rotating field in an induction motor?
10. Explain the working principle of an induction motor.
11. Explain the concept of slip and give expression for it.
12. Compare squirrel-cage IM and wound-rotor IM.
13. Write short note on applications of induction motors.