As the load decreases on a squirrel cage induction motor, its power factor?

As the load on a squirrel cage induction motor decreases, the power factor tends to decrease. This is because a squirrel cage induction motor operates with a lagging power factor under normal conditions due to the nature of its inductive characteristics. When the load diminishes, the motor draws less current and enters a condition where the reactive power component (which is responsible for the lagging power factor) becomes more significant relative to the real power component being used. This is a consequence of the relationship between the motor's magnetizing requirements and its operational conditions.

With a lower load, the motor is still required to maintain the magnetic field, which leads to the motor drawing more reactive power relative to its active power. As a result, the overall power factor decreases. Hence, a squirrel cage induction motor becomes less efficient in terms of power factor as the load reduces, making the understanding of power factor dynamics crucial for aspects like energy efficiency and system performance.