Analysis of Starting Torque and Speed Characteristics for Squirrel Cage Induction Motor According to Material Properties of Rotor Slot

Squirrel cage induction motors have mostly been used for their small capacity because the starting torque is smaller than the starting current during start-up. However, as more and more mid-to-large capacity motors are developed, the demands for improvements in performance characteristics have also increased. In this study, the starting characteristics of squirrel cage induction motors were analyzed based on the rotor materials and shapes using a finite element method to provide design data suitable for different use purposes and capacities. We further completed analysis by combining electromagnetic equations deduced from Maxwell’s equations and the circuit equations of stators and rotors. A moving coordinator was introduced to rotate the rotor during the analysis, and the torques calculated via the finite element method were combined with the motion equations to calculate the position and angular velocity of the rotors at the next time, thereby analyzing the transient characteristics. The analysis results of the transient characteristics were applied to a 3-phase 4-pole 5-hp induction motor to calculate the starting torque, speed, and rotation angle of the rotors. In the reference model, the materials and shapes of the rotor slot were changed to copper and silicon copper and a deep slot, shallow slot, and long-neck-shaped slot.