Increasing the air-gap of a squirrel-cage induction motor would result in

If the air gap of an induction motor is increased,

• The reluctance increases and for constant flux, we require high mmf which implies higher current.
• The permeability of the magnetic circuit rotor-to-stator will decrease.
• The magnetizing inductance of the motor thus decreases.
• The magnetizing current will increase. This will cause a reduction in the power factor at all loads.
• The magnetic flux in the air gap will decrease and leakage fluxes will increase. This will cause a reduction in the maximum available torque.
• The motor will run with increased slip and hence the speed will decrease.