Calculation of Radial Forces in Cage Induction Motors at Start—The Effect of Rotor Differential

In this paper, the radial forces in an induction motor are calculated using finite element analysis. These radial forces (or unbalanced magnetic pull-UMP) are generated when the rotor is eccentric. The work illustrates the importance of higher winding harmonics and rotor differential leakage in the starting UMP. Examples of a 6 pole machine with 26 and 40 bar rotors show that increasing the bar number and air-gap length will reduce the UMP. Further studies are carried out using parameter variation and a 10-pole machine is also addressed, where experimental results exist, in order to validate the calculation.