Slip is a crucial parameter in an induction motor that indicates the relative speed difference between the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator and the rotor's actual rotational speed. Slip is typically expressed as a percentage or a decimal value and is calculated using the following formula:
Slip (S) = (Ns - Nr) / Ns
Where:
Ns is the synchronous speed of the rotating magnetic field in revolutions per minute (RPM).
Nr is the actual rotor speed in revolutions per minute (RPM).
Synchronous speed (Ns) is determined by the frequency (f) of the power supply and the number of poles (P) in the motor. It can be calculated using the formula:
Ns = (120 * f) / P
Where:
120 is a constant derived from the units conversion factor (60 seconds per minute and 2 poles per cycle).
f is the frequency of the power supply in hertz (Hz).
P is the number of poles in the motor.
Keep in mind that slip is a critical parameter because it directly influences the motor's torque output. When the motor operates under load, the slip allows the rotor to create torque, which enables it to overcome mechanical resistance and rotate. The larger the slip, the greater the torque produced by the motor. However, at high slip values, the motor's efficiency decreases and it might operate in an undesirable region.
Slip is an essential factor in understanding an induction motor's performance characteristics, efficiency, and ability to handle different loads.