The AC Induction Motor (ACIM), sometimes called a squirrel cage motor, is among the most popular motors used in consumer and commercial applications. Induction machines are by considerably the biggest group of all commercial electrical machines, converting approximately 70-80% of all electrical energy into mechanical form. The employ a robust rotor construction, making them suitable for high-speed applications. With proper design, they have good overloading and field weakening features.

The ACIM is made up of a simple cage-like rotor and a stator containing three windings

The changing field made by the AC line current in the stator induces a current in the rotor which interacts with the field and causes the rotor to rotate

The rotor does not have any moving contacts, which eliminates sparking