Maskerinductie

Maskerinductie, a Dutch term, translates to "mask induction" in English and refers to a specific phenomenon observed in certain types of induction motors, particularly those with squirrel-cage rotors. It describes the process by which a magnetic field is induced in the rotor conductors even when the stator windings are not perfectly balanced or when there are slight imperfections in the motor's construction. This induced field allows the motor to start and produce torque, albeit potentially with reduced efficiency or increased noise compared to an ideal motor.

The effect of maskerinductie is more pronounced in motors where the rotor bars are skewed or when there are inherent asymmetries in the stator winding. These asymmetries, even if small, create localized magnetic field variations that are sufficient to initiate rotor current flow and subsequent rotation. In essence, the rotor acts as a sort of short-circuited winding that can pick up and respond to these imperfectly distributed stator fields.

While maskerinductie enables starting in less-than-ideal conditions, it is generally not a desirable characteristic. It can lead to pulsating torques, vibration, and increased harmonic content in the motor's operation. Engineers strive to minimize asymmetries in motor design to avoid relying on maskerinductie and to achieve smoother, more efficient performance. In some applications, specialized starting methods or control techniques are employed to overcome or mitigate the effects of maskerinductie.