3 Phase Induction Motor Interview Questions & Answers

Posted On:February 5, 2019, Posted By: Latest Interview Questions, Views: 365, Rating :

Best 3 Phase Induction Motor Interview Questions and Answers

Dear Readers, Welcome to 3 Phase Induction Motor Interview Questions and Answers have been designed specially to get you acquainted with the nature of questions you may encounter during your Job interview for the subject of 3 Phase Induction Motor. These 3 Phase Induction Motor Questions are very important for campus placement test and job interviews. As per my experience good interviewers hardly plan to ask any particular questions during your Job interview and these model questions are asked in the online technical test and interview of many IT & Non IT Industries.

1. What is he meant of induction motor ?

Ans. An induction motor derives its name from the current in the rotor conductor is induced by the motion of rotor conductor relative to the magnetic field developed by the stator currents.

Interview Questions on 3 Phase Induction Motor

2. What are the two type of induction motor and which is usually preferred ?

A. I- Squirrel cage induction motor

    II-Wound rotor/slip-ring motor 

  Squirrel cage induction motor is generally preferred.


3. Why the induction motor is called asynchronous motor ?

A. Because its run at a speed other than the synchronous speed of rotating magnate field developed by the starter current.


4. Why the air gap b/w the stator core and rotor of an induction motor is made very small ?

A. the air gap is made as small as possible so as to produced required flux with a minimum exciting current and give leakage reluctance as small as possible. this result in improved power factor.


5. Why the no. of poles of the stator and of the rotor of an ac motor should be equal ?

A. The flux set up by the stator winding is a rotating flux with a definite no. of pole ; operation is only possible if the no. of poles are same in both.


6. Why the exciting current of induction motor is so high as compared to the power transformer?

Unlike that of a power transformer, the magnetic circuit of the induction motor has an air-gap. Therefore, the exciting current of induction motor (3O to 4O% of full-load current) is much higher than that of the power transformer. Consequently, the exact equivalent circuit must be used for accurate results.


7. How transformation ratio of induction motor is different as compared to power transformer?

In a transformer, the windings are concentrated whereas in an induction motor, the windings are distributed. This affects the transformation ratio.


8. Why it is required to start 3-Phase Induction Motors? 

The induction motor is fundamentally a transformer in which the stator is the primary and the rotor is short-circuited secondary. At starting,

the voltage induced in the induction motor rotor is maximum ( s = 1).

Since the rotor impedance is low, the rotor current is excessively large. This large rotor current is reflected in the stator because of

transformer action. This results in high starting current (4 to 1O times the full-load current) in the stator at low power factor and consequently the value of starting torque is low. Because of the short duration, this value of large current does not harm the motor if the motor accelerates normally.


9. What is the effect of staring of induction motor on connected line?


to the same lines. Therefore, it is desirable and necessary to reduce the magnitude of stator current at starting and several methods are

available for this purpose.


10. Please describe the Methods of Starting 3-Phase Induction Motors? 

The common methods used to start induction motors are:

(i) Direct-on-line starting

(ii)    Stator resistance starting

(iii) Autotransformer starting

(iv)    Star-delta starting

(v) Rotor resistance starting


11. How slip ring motors are started? 

Slip ring motors are invariably started by rotor resistance starting.


12. What is Direct-on-line starting of induction motor? 

This method of starting in just what the name implies the motor is started by connecting it directly to 3-phase supply. The impedance of

the motor at standstill is relatively low and when it is directly connected to the supply system, the starting current will be high (4 to

1O times the full-load current) and at a low power factor. Consequently, this method of starting is suitable for relatively small (up to 7.5 kW)



13. Does starting torque is higher than full load torque? 

No, starting current is as large as five times the full-load current but starting torque is just equal to the full-load torque. Therefore, starting current is very high and the starting torque is comparatively low. If this large starting current flows for a long time, it may overheat the motor and damage the insulation.


14. What is Stator resistance starting method? 

In this method, external resistances are connected in series with each phase of stator winding during starting. This causes voltage drop across

the resistances so that voltage available across motor terminals is reduced and hence the starting current. The starting resistances are gradually cut out in steps (two or more steps) from the stator circuit as the motor picks up speed. When the motor attains rated speed, the resistances are completely cut out and full line voltage is applied to the rotor.


15. Why Stator resistance starting is not recommended?

This method suffers from two drawbacks. First, the reduced voltage applied to the motor during the starting period lowers the starting torque and hence increases the accelerating time. Secondly, a lot of power is wasted in the starting resistances. Therefore, this method is used for starting small motors only.


16. What are the advantages of Autotransformer starting? 

Autotransformer starting has several advantages like low power loss, low starting current and less radiated heat. For large machines (over 25

H.P.), this method of starting is often used. This method can be used for both star and delta connected motors.


17. What are the advantages of slip-ring induction motors over the squirrel cage motors? 

(i) High starting torque with low starting current.

(ii) Smooth acceleration under heavy loads.

(iii) No abnormal heating during starting.

(iv) Good running characteristics after external rotor resistances are cut out. 

(v) Adjustable speed


18. Is there any disadvantage of slip-ring motors?

(i) The initial and maintenance costs are greater than those of squirrel cage motors.

(ii) The speed regulation is poor when run with resistance in the rotor circuit.