We studied the temperature distribution and heat transfer characteristics of TEFC induction motor with thermal network program for more efficient design and better cooling performance of it. We knew the characteristics and the windage loss of outer cooling fan from fan test experiments. Frame axial and peripheral heat transfer coefficients and endwinding heat transfer coefficient were measured by various model experiments and then, compared with other experimental results. Frame was the main heat transfer surface, load-side and fan-side surface were not thermally symmetric from the heat flux distribution analysis. Steady and unsteady temperature distributions were measured by real motor experiments. From the results, we knew that rotor surface temperature was higher than coil temperature and the hottest spot in the coil was loadside endwinding outside surface. We compared the simulation results with those of real motor test and the two results showed a good agreement.