induction motor
C2Technical / Engineering
Definition
Meaning
An alternating current (AC) electric motor in which the rotor's torque is produced by electromagnetic induction from the stator's magnetic field.
A widely used, robust, and relatively simple type of AC motor that operates without direct electrical connection to the rotor, making it highly reliable and low-maintenance. It is the workhorse of industrial applications.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a compound technical noun. The term is almost exclusively used in technical domains such as electrical engineering, industrial maintenance, and physics. In everyday language, the general term "electric motor" would be used.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling conventions apply to related words (e.g., aluminium vs. aluminum windings).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally frequent in technical contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [specification] induction motor powers the [equipment].They replaced the [old motor] with a [specification] induction motor.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in procurement, specifications, and operational cost discussions related to industrial equipment.
Academic
Core term in electrical engineering and physics textbooks, lectures, and research papers on electromechanical systems.
Everyday
Virtually unused; replaced by general terms like 'motor' or 'engine'.
Technical
The primary term for describing this specific class of motors in design, maintenance, and application notes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- induction-motor drive
- induction-motor principle
American English
- induction-motor drive
- induction-motor technology
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The factory uses a big motor.
- This machine has a very powerful electric motor.
- For this application, a three-phase motor is required for its reliability.
- The design's efficiency hinges on using a squirrel-cage induction motor for the main drive.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of INDUCTION as a process that INDUCES current in the rotor without touching it, and MOTOR is the machine that turns that into motion.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ELECTROMAGNETIC PUMP (it "pumps" rotational force using invisible magnetic fields).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as "индукционный мотор". The standard technical term is "асинхронный двигатель" (asynchronous motor). "Индукционный" in Russian is more often used for kitchen "индукционные плиты" (induction hobs).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'induction motor' to refer to any electric motor.
- Confusing it with 'induction cooker' or 'induction heating'.
- Pronouncing 'induction' with stress on the first syllable (/ˈɪn.dʌk.ʃən/).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary operating principle of an induction motor?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its main advantage is robustness and low maintenance due to the absence of brushes and direct electrical connections to the rotating rotor.
They are ubiquitous in industrial settings, powering conveyor belts, pumps, fans, compressors, and machine tools.
A basic induction motor's speed is largely determined by the frequency of the AC power supply, but it is not perfectly synchronous. Modern variable-frequency drives (VFDs) allow for precise speed control.
Yes, these are synonymous terms in technical English. 'Asynchronous' refers to the fact that the rotor's speed is slightly less than the synchronous speed of the stator's magnetic field.