Industrial Maintenance Technician Practice Test

The slip of a motor is fundamentally the difference between its synchronous speed (the speed of the magnetic field produced in the stator) and the actual speed at which the rotor is turning (shaft speed). In alternating current (AC) induction motors, slip is an essential factor for motor operation, as it indicates how much the rotor lags behind the rotating magnetic field.

This lag is necessary for the generation of torque in induction motors. If the rotor were to achieve synchronous speed, there would be no relative motion between the rotor and the magnetic field, resulting in no induced current in the rotor and, consequently, no torque production.

The value of slip can help determine a motor's efficiency, performance under load, and its ability to accelerate. Understanding slip is crucial in applications requiring precise motor control and efficiency, making it a vital concept in the realm of industrial maintenance and operations.