In this paper, the torque characteristics and the bar loss distribution are analyzed when a general cage induction motor with skewed slots is fed by a 6-step inverter. For the electromagnetic analysis, time-stepping finite element method is used. And the multi-slice technique and sliding surface technique are respectively utilized to consider the skew effect and the rotation of the rotor. As a result, the effects of skewed rotor bar and the inverter output voltage on the characteristics of the torque and bar loss in the rotor are investigated. The simulation results are verified by measurement of flux density distribution axially in the stator teeth.