Video about Induction Motors
Play Video about AC induction motor function
The 3 phase AC induction motor is also referred to as the asynchronous motor, because asynchronous motors operate via the induction principle. The induction motor is shortened with ASM or IM. In motor operation, the rotor of an induction motor runs slower than the magnetic rotating field of the stator, i.e. asynchronous to the stator. The difference between stator speed and rotor speed is also called slip. When the rotor speed is equal to the stator speed, the slip is zero and the induction motor does not provide positive torque. In generator mode, the rotor is rotated faster than the rotating field from the stator. The speed difference produces a negative torque which attempts to decelerate the rotor. Induction motors which are operated directly on two-phase alternating current or three-phase three-phase current without an inverter have a lower efficiency than synchronous motors with permanent magnets. However, 3 phase AC induction motors operated with an inverter can achieve similar high efficiencies.
The rotor of an IM with squirrel cage rotor consists of a cage of bars, which are made of aluminum or copper. The bars are short-circuited at the upper and lower ends with rings made of the same material. The squirrel cage rotor is most commonly used because it has no slip rings and therefore has a longer life. In addition, the production of the rotor is much cheaper.
In a slip ring rotor, the rotor consists of windings instead of bars. The windings are not short-circuited in the rotor, but are led to the outside via slip rings and short-circuited via additional resistors. The current flow in the rotor can be controlled via the resistors outside the electric motor.
A rotary magnetic field is generated by a three-phase current in the windings of the stator. The rotating magnetic field from the stator also flows through the rotor via the air gap. If there is a speed difference between the rotor speed and the stator speed, a voltage is induced in the conductor bars of the rotor by the rotating magnetic field. As the conductor bars are short-circuited to each other at the lower and upper ends, the induced voltage generates a current flow in the bars. The short-circuit current in the bars in itself generates a magnetic field in the rotor, which follows the magnetic field of the stator. In contrast to synchronous motors with permanent magnets, the magnetic field of the rotor is not stationary, but rotates across the rotor. When the rotor rotates at the same speed as the stator, no more current is induced in the conductor bars and, therefore, no more torque is generated. In the case of a short circuit of the stator, no more voltage is induced by the rotor. This makes the induction motor a very safe electric motor, and this is why major car manufacturers such as Tesla and Audi, for example, use the induction motor in their electric vehicles.
Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of induction motors with slip ring rotor and squirrel cage rotor with and without an inverter.