SOLUTION

A squirrel cage induction motor is a type of electric motor that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. It’s widely used in various applications due to its simplicity and robustness.

How it Works:

1. Stator: The stationary part of the motor, where electrical windings are placed. When AC current is supplied to these windings, it creates a rotating magnetic field.
2. Rotor: The rotating part, shaped like a squirrel cage, consists of copper or aluminum bars embedded in a cylindrical core.
3. Induction: The rotating magnetic field from the stator induces a current in the rotor bars. This induced current, in turn, creates its own magnetic field.
4. Interaction: The interaction between the stator’s rotating magnetic field and the rotor’s induced magnetic field causes the rotor to start rotating.

Advantages:

• Simple Construction: Its design is relatively straightforward, making it easy to manufacture and maintain.
• Robustness: It can withstand harsh operating conditions, including high temperatures and vibrations.
• Self-Starting: It doesn’t require any external starting mechanism.
• Constant Speed: It maintains a relatively constant speed under varying loads.

Disadvantages:

• Lower Starting Torque: Compared to other types of motors, it has a lower starting torque, limiting its use in applications requiring high starting loads. The fixed rotor bars in a squirrel cage induction motor limit its starting torque. Unlike slip-ring induction motors, where external resistance can be added to the rotor circuit to improve starting torque, squirrel cage motors rely on other techniques to achieve higher starting torque.