How does increasing load on an induction motor typically affect its slip percentage?

Increasing the load on an induction motor typically leads to an increase in the slip percentage. Slip percentage is defined as the difference between the synchronous speed of the motor and the actual rotor speed, expressed as a percentage of the synchronous speed.

When the load on an induction motor increases, the rotor experiences a greater demand for torque. This increase in load causes the rotor to slow down relative to the synchronous speed. As the rotor speed decreases, the slip percentage increases because the difference between the synchronous speed and the rotor speed widens.

This relationship is crucial in understanding motor performance: as load increases, the motor has to work harder to maintain operation, leading to a higher slip. Therefore, with the increased requirement for torque due to the added load, the slip percentage naturally rises in response to that condition. This behavior is a fundamental principle in the operation of induction motors, highlighting how they adapt to changes in load through variations in slip percentage.