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3-Phase-Induction Motor - how it works

Without a doubt, the Three-phase Asynchronous Motors are the most widely used electric motors in the industry. This motor has a simple design, is robust and has no carbon brushes - so you have low maintenance costs. Three-phase current is available in factories anyway, which means that this motor can be operated directly via the mains for simple applications. And even smaller three-phase asynchronous motors can be operated on a single-phase AC voltage using a frequency converter. 

Application 3-phase asynchronous motors: Three-phase asynchronous motors are available as small motors up to large motors with several megawatts of power. They are used, for example, as drives for pumps, fans, machine tools, construction machinery and electric vehicles.

In this video, we discuss the functioning of a 3 phase induction motor. From the content:

  • 0:00 Introduction – why a 3 phase induction motor is commonly used
  • 0:15 Rotating magnetic field RMF as the base for the induction motor
  • 0:42 How torque is built
  • 1:10 Meaning of slip
  • 1:34 The current characteristic curve
  • 2:14 The torque characteristic curve
  • 2:52 Motor name plate according IEC