How Does a Squirrel Cage Work?
If you have ever wanted to know how a squirrel cage works, you might be wondering what is inside it. This article will give you the lowdown on what goes on inside this amazing animal enclosure. It is powered by magnetism, electromagnetism, and a fan impeller. These are just a few of the many components that make this cage work. Once you understand these components, you can learn how to build one.
Electromagnetism
Did you ever wonder what a squirrel would experience when confined to a cage? The answer to this question lies in the study of Faraday, who studied electromagnetism. Faraday, an English scientist, lined up a room with metal foil and then bombarded it with electricity generated from an electrostatic generator. Once the experiment was over, he used an electroscope to verify that the room had no electrical charge. The movement of electrons on the metal foil in the Faraday cage produced an electrically neutral region inside the cage.
Magnetism
The theory of magnetism in a squirrel cage motor was developed after a careful analysis of electromagnetic equations. It incorporated valid assumptions to derive a solution that includes a vector magnetic potential. This equation is non-linear because of two unknowns, but the solution can be obtained through the equations of filamentary and massive conductors. Moreover, this formulation is compatible with interconnection to external devices.
Rotor
The rotor in a squirrel cage motor has no windings and is therefore not electrically connected. Instead, it is connected externally through three lines of voltage. The bars of the rotor are usually laminated to decrease the possibility of eddy currents and reduce heat. The cage bars may be slanted to minimize the eddy currents. In some cases, the cage bars are made of different materials and have varying cross-sections.
Fan impeller
The efficiency of a fan impeller in a squirrel cage is determined by the physical dimensions of the cage and its axial gap. The study conducted on a forward squirrel cage fan found that the axial gap size affects the efficiency. The experimental data matched the numerical simulations. The most efficient fan is Fan2, which has an inlet nozzle diameter of 19 cm and an efficiency of nearly 44%. The study has several limitations.
Bearings
Known for their high efficiency and low noise, squirrel cage blowers are preferred over other types of fans because of their highly adjustable output. The bearings on squirrel cage blower shafts direct the movement of the impeller axle, which minimizes resistance and increases the blower’s output. They are designed to minimise friction and wear, and must be well-lubricated. Depending on the design, a squirrel cage bearing may contain as many as 2,000 elements and 24812 nodes.
Class C motors
The electrical characteristics of the motor used in a squirrel cage determine the type of motor that is used. There are five different types of motors: Class A, Class B, Class C, and finally, Class F. Class A motors are used in applications where they are needed for a normal starting torque and current. The rest of the motors are used in applications where their starting torque is low and the voltage must be reduced.
Class D motors
A self-starting squirrel cage fan motor produces quiet air flow. It uses electromagnetic induction to create electricity. The rotor contains a series of bars that interact with an alternating magnetic field emitted by the stator. As the magnetic field changes with the frequency of an AC current, the bars move around the shaft. The rotor then spins as it follows the shaft. These bars produce an electromagnetic field around the rotor.
Class B motors
A squirrel cage motor is an electric machine consisting of four basic parts: the rotor, the stator, and the fan. The stator is a series of three-phase windings that are separated 120 degrees apart in a metal housing. The wrapping provides a path of low reluctance for flux. The rotor and fan are connected to the stator via a capacitor arrangement. The rotor and stator should rotate at a rate greater than the synchronous speed of the stator to produce residual magnetism.
How does a squirrel cage work?
Answer: A squirrel cage consists of a cylindrical housing with a series of metal bars running lengthwise inside of it.
The metal bars are electrically conductive and are connected to an electrical power source.
When the power is turned on the bars create a magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic field of the earth causing the cage to rotate.

Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
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