Red Seal Electrician Practice
Motor controlsQuestion 1276 of 1506

What is a way to change the speed of a small squirrel cage fan motor without electronics?

  1. Add a wound rotor
  2. Reduce the line voltage a little
  3. Reverse two stator leads
  4. Add a start capacitor
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Correct answer: Reduce the line voltage a little

Less voltage gives less torque, so the motor runs at a lower speed.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits II: AC (Kuphaldt), 13.7: Tesla Polyphase Induction Motors

Practice motor controls

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026