THREE PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR AND IT’S
APPLICATIONS
Name: Anay Gupta
Roll No.: 2005780 | Batch: B14 CSE
Date: 07/05/2021
A three phase induction motor is a type of AC induction motors which operates on three phase supply
as compared to the single phase induction motor where single phase supply is needed to operate it.
The three phase supply current produces an electromagnetic field in the stator winding which leads
to generate the torque in the rotor winding of three phase induction motor having magnetic field.A
three phase induction motor is a type of AC induction motors which operates on three phase supply
as compared to the single phase induction motor where single phase supply is needed to operate it.
The three phase supply current produces an electromagnetic field in the stator winding which leads
to generate the torque in the rotor winding of three phase induction motor having magnetic field.
Working Principle of Three-Phase Induction Motor
The stator winding is overlapped at 120˚ (electrically) to each other. When a three-phase supply is
given to the stator winding, the rotating magnetic field (RMF) induced in the stator circuit.
The speed of the rotating magnetic field is known as synchronous speed (NS).
According to Faraday’s law, EMF induced in the conductor due to the rate of change of flux (dΦ/dt).
The rotor circuit cut the stator magnetic field and an EMF induced in the rotor bar or rotor winding.
The rotor circuit is a close path. So, due to this EMF current will flow through the rotor circuit.
Now, we know that the current-carrying conductor induces the magnetic field. So, the rotor current
induces a second magnetic field.
The relative motion between the stator flux and rotor flux, the rotor starts to rotate to reduce the
cause of relative motion. The rotor tries to catch the stator flux and starts rotating.
The direction of rotation is given by the Lenz’s law. And is in the direction of the rotating magnetic
field induced by the stator.
Here, the rotor current is produced due to inductance. Therefore, this motor is known as the induction
motor.
The speed of the rotor is less than the speed of synchronous speed. The rotor tries to catch the rotating
magnetic field of the stator. But it never catches it. Hence, the speed of the rotor is slightly less than
the speed of synchronous speed.
The synchronous speed depends on the number of poles and supply frequency. The difference
between the actual speed of the rotor and synchronous speed is known as slip.
Types of Three Phase Induction Motors
Three phase motors are classified mainly in two categories based on the rotor winding (Armature
coil winding) i.e. squirrel cage and slip ring (wound rotor motor).
• Squirrel Cage Induction Motor
• Slip-ring or Wound Rotor Induction Motor
Squirrel Cage Induction Motor
The shape of this rotor is resembling the shape of the cage of a squirrel. Therefore, this motor is known
as a squirrel cage induction motor.
The construction of this type of rotor is very simple and rugged. So, almost 80% of the induction motor
is a squirrel cage induction motor.
The rotor consists of a cylindrical laminated core and has slots on the outer periphery. The slots are
not parallel but it is skewed at some angle. It helps to prevent magnetic locking between the stator
and rotor teeth. It results in smooth operation and reduces the humming noise. It increases the length
of the rotor conductor due to this the rotor resistance is increased.
The squirrel cage rotor consists of rotor bars instead of the rotor winding. The rotor bars are made up
of aluminum, brass, or copper.
Rotor bars are permanently shorted by end rings. So, it makes a complete close path in the rotor
circuit. The rotor bars are welded or braced with the end rings to provide mechanical support.
The rotor bars are short-circuited. Therefore, it is not possible to add external resistance to the rotor
circuit.
In this type of rotor, the slip rings and brushes are not used. Hence, the construction of this type of
motor is simpler and more robust.
Slip-ring or Wound Rotor Induction Motor
Slip-ring induction motors are also known as wound rotor motor. The rotor consists of a laminated
cylindrical core with slots on the outer periphery. The rotor winding is placed inside the slots.
In this type of rotor, the rotor winding is wounded in such a way that, the number of poles of rotor
winding is the same as the number of poles of the stator winding. The rotor winding can be connected
as a star or delta.
End terminals of rotor windings are connected to the slip-rings. So, this motor is known as a slip-ring
induction motor.
The external resistance can easily connect with the rotor circuit through the slip-ring and brushes. And
it is very useful for controlling the speed of the motor and improving the starting torque of the three-
phase induction motor.
An electrical diagram of slip-ring three-phase induction motor with external resistance is shown in the
below figure.
The external resistance is used only for the starting purpose. If it is remains connected during the
running condition, it will increase the rotor copper loss.
High rotor resistance is good for the starting condition. So, the external resistance is connected with
the rotor circuit during the starting condition.
When motor running near the speed of the actual speed, the slip-rings are short-circuited by the metal
collar. By this arrangement, the brushes and external resistance is removed from the rotor circuit.
This reduces the rotor copper loss as well as friction in brushes. The rotor construction is a little bit
complicated compared to the squirrel cage motor due to the presence of brushes and slip-rings.
The maintenance of this motor is more. So, this motor only used when variable speed control and high
starting torque are needed. Otherwise, the squirrel cage induction motor is more preferred over slip-
ring induction motor.
Application of 3-Phase Induction Motors
The induction motor is mostly used in industrial applications. The squirrel cage induction motors are
used in residential as well as industrial applications especially where the speed control of motors is
not needed such as:
• Pumps and submersible
• Pressing machine
• Lathe machine
• Grinding machine
• Conveyor
• Flour mills
• Compressor
• And other low mechanical power applications
The slip ring motors are used in heavy load applications where the high initial torque is needed such
as:
• Steel mills
• Lift
• Crane Machine
• Hoist
• Line shafts
• and other heavy mechanical workshops etc
