Contents

SINGLE PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR ..................................................................................................................................... 2

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Construction .................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Stator ........................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Rotor ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Operation ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Double-field revolving theory .................................................................................................................................. 3
Cross-field theory..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Generation of rotating magnetic field ............................................................................................................................. 5
Types of single-phase induction motor ........................................................................................................................... 5
Split phase induction motor ................................................................................................................................ 6
Capacitor start induction motor .......................................................................................................................... 7
Capacitor start-capacitor run induction motor ................................................................................................... 8
Shaded pole induction motor .............................................................................................................................. 9
References ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10
SINGLE PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR

Introduction
Single-phase induction motors are the simple motors which operate on single -phase A.C. and in
which torque is produced due to induction of electricity caused by the alternating magnetic fields. Single
phase induction motors are of different types based on their starting conditions and various factors.
As the power requirements of single load systems are usually small, all our homes, offices are supplied
with a single–phase A.C. supply only. To get proper working conditions using this single-phase supply,
compatible motors have to be used. Besides being compatible, the motors have to be economical, reliable and
easy to repair. One can find all of these characteristics in a single-phase induction motor readily. Similar to
three-phase motors but with some modifications, single-phase induction motors are a great choice for
domestic appliances. Their simple design and low cost have attracted many applications.

Construction
Single-phase in more or less similar to three phase induction motor, except that its stator is provided
with a single-phase winding and a centrifugal switch is used in some types of motors in order to cut out a
winding, used only for starting purposes.
The main parts of a single -phase induction motor is the
• Stator,
• Rotor and
• Windings.
Stator
The stator is the fixed part of the motor to which A.C. is supplied. stator consists of set of stacked
laminations stampings which are slotted on its periphery. These stampings carry the single-phase winding
(main winding and auxiliary winding) which is excited by the single-phase AC supply, these windings are
placed perpendicular to each other. A capacitor is attached to Auxiliary winding in parallel. The stampings are
made up of silicon steel to reduce eddy current losses. The stator winding is wound for a certain number of
poles, from which the synchronous speed of the motor can be decided.
Rotor
The rotor of a 1-phase induction motor is of squirrel type, similar to that of 3-phase induction motor. it
consists of uninsulated copper or aluminum bars fitted on cylindrical shaped slots in rotor periphery. These
slots are placed at the certain angle and not parallel to each other so as to avoid magnetic locking. The
aluminum or copper bars are placed in slots, stacked and shorted at both ends with end rings on rotor core.

Figure 1 single- phase motor construction

Operation
On powering the single-phase supply to the motor, the current flows through the stator conductor
winding and a magnetic field are built around it. As the stator windings coils are reversed such that one coil is
wound to the stator in reversed direction relatively to the adjacent coil, the direction of current flow becomes
also reversed, which in turns causes the stator winding to produces a magnetic field that pulsates (alternates)
in strength in a sinusoidal manner. The field polarity reverses after each half cycle but the field does not
rotate. Consequently, the alternating flux cannot produce rotation in a stationary squirrel-cage rotor. Due to
this, unlike 3-phase induction motor which induces a rotating field, an alternating induced torque of a single-
phase induct ion motor can’t self-start it due to rotor inertia thus, requiring some starting means. This is why
single-phase motor is not a self-starting.
However, if the rotor of a single-phase motor is rotated in one direction by some mechanical means, it
will continue to run in the direction of rotation. As a matter of fact, the rotor quickly accelerates until it
reaches a speed slightly below the synchronous speed. Once the motor is running at this speed, it will continue
to rotate even though single-phase current is flowing through the stator winding. This method of starting is
generally not convenient for large motors. Nor can it be employed fur a motor located at some inaccessible
spot.
This peculiar behavior of the motor can be explained in two ways
▪ Double-field revolving theory.
▪ Cross-field theory.

Double-field revolving theory

Let us see why single-phase induction motors are not self-starting with the help of a theory called
double revolving field theory.
States that:
“Any alternating quantity can be resolved into two rotating components which rotates in opposite directions
and each having magnitude as half of the maximum magnitude of the alternating quantity”
In case of single-phase induction motors, the stator winding produces an alternating magnetic field having
maximum magnitude of ∅1𝑚
According to double revolving field theory, consider the two components of the stator flux, each
∅
having magnitude half of maximum magnitude of stator flux i.e., 1𝑚⁄2 Both these components are rotating in
opposite directions at the synchronous speed Ns which is dependent on frequency and stator poles. The
resultant of these two components at any instant gives the instantaneous value of the stator flux at that instant.
So, resultant of these two is the original stator flux.

Figure 2 double-field revolving theory

At start both the components are shown opposite to each other, After 90 the two components are
rotated in such a way that both are pointing in the same direction. Hence the algebraic sum of the magnitudes
of the two components is equal to the instantaneous value of the stator flux. Thus, continuous rotation of the
two components gives the original alternating stator flux.
Both the components are rotating and hence get cut by the rotor conductors. Due to cutting of flux,
e.m.f gets induced in rotor which circulates rotor current. The rotor current produces rotor flux. This flux
interacts with forward component 0f to produce a torque in one particular direction say anticlockwise
direction. While rotor flux interacts with backward component to produce a torque in the clockwise direction.
So, if anticlockwise torque is positive then clockwise torque is negative. At start these two torques are equal
in magnitude but opposite in direction. Each torque tries to rotate the rotor in its own direction.
Thus, net torque experienced by the rotor is zero at start. And hence the single-phase induction motors are not
self-starting

Cross-field theory
Another theory which can also be used to explain why single-phase induction motor is not self-starting
is cross-field theory
Consider a single-phase induction motor with standstill rotor as shown in following figure.

The stator winding is excited by the single-phase a.c supply. This supply produces an alternating flux
which acts along the axis of the stator winding. Due to this flux, e.m.f, gets induced in the rotor conductors
due to transformer action. As rotor is closed one, this e.m.f circulates current through the rotor conductors.
The direction of the rotor current is as. The direction of rotor current is so as to oppose the cause producing it,
which is stator flux

Now Fleming's left-hand rule can be used to find the direction of the force experienced by the rotor
conductors. It can be seen that when stator flux acts in upward direction and increasing positively, the
conductors on left experience force from left to right while conductors on right experience force from right to
left. Thus overall, the force experienced by the rotor is zero. Hence no torque exists on the rotor and rotor
cannot start rotating.
We have seen that there must exist two fluxes separated by some angle so as to produce rotating
magnetic field. According to cross field theory, the stator flux can be resolved into two components which are
mutually perpendicular. One acts along axis of the stator winding and other acts perpendicular to it.
Assume now that an initial push is given to the rotor in anticlockwise direction. Due to the rotation,
rotor physically cuts the stator flux and dynamically e.m.f gets induced in the rotor. This is called speed e.m.f
or rotational e.m.f the direction of such e.m.f can be obtained by Fleming’s right-hand rule and this e.m.f is in
phase with the stator flux. The direction of e.m.f is shown in following figure.
The e.m.f is donated as E2, this e.m.f circulates current through rotor. This current produces its own
flux called rotor flux Qr. This axis of rotor flux is at 90° to the axis of stator flux hence this rotor flux is called
cross-field.
Due to very high rotor reactance, the rotor current and rotor flux lags the rotational e.m.f by almost 90
Thus, rotor flux is in quadrature with stator flux in space and lags stator flux by 90 in time phase. Such two
fluxes produce the rotating magnetic field.
The direction of this rotating magnetic field will be same as the direction of the initial push given-
Thus rotor experiences a torque in the same direction as that of rotating magnetic field i.e., the direction of
initial push. So, rotor accelerates in the anticlockwise direction under the case considered and attains a sub
synchronous speed in the steady state.

From the above topic, we can easily conclude that the single-phase induction motors are not self-
starting because the produced stator flux is alternating in nature and at the starting, the two components of this
flux cancel each other and hence there is no net torque. The solution to this problem is that if we make the
stator flux rotating type, rather than alternating type, which rotates in one particular direction only. Then the
induction motor will become self-starting.

Generation of rotating magnetic field

Now for producing this rotating magnetic field, we require two alternating flux, having some phase
difference angle between them. When these two fluxes interact with each other, they will produce a resultant
flux. This resultant flux is rotating in nature and rotates in space in one particular direction only.
This may be achieved by converting a single-phase supply into two-phase supply through the use of an
additional winding. This additional winding is 90⁰ displaced from main winding position. When the motor
attains sufficient speed, the starting additional winding may be removed depending upon the type of the
motor. As a matter of fact, single-phase induction motors are classified and named according to the method
employed to make them self-starting.

Types of single-phase induction motor

Depending upon the methods of producing rotating stator magnetic flux, the single-phase induction motors are
classified as
▪ Split phase induction motor,
▪ Capacitor start inductor motor,
▪ Capacitor start capacitor run induction motor,
▪ Shaded pole induction motor.
Split phase induction motor
This type of motor has single phase stator winding called main winding. In addition to this, stator
carries one more winding called auxiliary winding or starring winding. The auxiliary winding carries a series
resistance such that its impedance is highly resistive in nature. The main winding is inductive in nature. Both
the windings are displaced 90 degrees in space.

Figure 3 split phase induction motor and phasor diagram

A resistor is connected in series with the auxiliary winding. The current in the two windings is not
equal as a result the rotating field is not uniform. Hence, the starting torque is small, of the order of 1.5 to 2
times of the started running torque. At the starting of the motor both the windings are connected in parallel.
As soon as the motor reaches the speed of about 70 to 80 % of the synchronous speed the starting
winding is disconnected automatically from the supply mains. If the motors are rated about 100 Watt or more,
a centrifugal switch is used to disconnect the starting winding and for the smaller rating motors relay is used
for the disconnecting of the winding.
A relay is connected in series with the main winding. At the starting, the heavy current flows in the
circuit, and the contact of the relay gets closed. Thus, the starting winding is in the circuit, and as the motor
attains the predetermined speed, the current in the relay starts decreasing. Therefore, the relay opens and
disconnects the auxiliary winding from the supply, making the motor runs on the main winding only.
The direction of the Resistance Start motor can be reversed by reversing the line connection of either
the main winding or the starting winding. The reversal of the motor is possible at the standstill condition only.

Figure 4 speed torque characteristics

Here, n0 is the point at which the centrifugal switch operates. The starting torque of the resistance start
motor is about 1.5 times of the full load torque. The maximum torque is about 2.5 times of the full load torque
at about 75% of the synchronous speed. The starting current of the motor is high about 7 to 8 times of the full
load value. This type of motor is used in blowers, centrifugal pumps, drilling machines lathe machines etc.
Capacitor start induction motor
The construction of this type of motor is similar to the resistance split phase type. The difference is
that in series with the auxiliary winding the capacitor is connected. The capacitive circuit draws a leading
current, this feature used in this type to increase the split phase angle a between the two currents Im and Ist.

Figure 5 capacitor start induction motor, phasor diagram

The two windings are placed 90 degrees apart. A capacitor is connected in series with the starting
winding. A centrifugal switch is also connected in the circuit.
As the motor approaches its rated speed, the auxiliary winding and the starting capacitor is
disconnected automatically by the centrifugal switch provided on the shaft of the motor.

Figure 6 speed- torque characteristic

The capacitor starts motor develops a much higher starting torque of about 3 to 4.5 times of the full load
torque. To obtain a high starting torque, the two conditions are essential. They are as follows: -
• The Starting capacitor value must be large.
• The valve of the starting winding resistance must be low.
The electrolytic capacitors of the order of the 250 µF are used because of the high Var rating of the capacitor
requirement.
The Capacitor start motor can be reversed by first bringing the motor to rest condition and then reversing
the connections of one of the windings. This type of motor is applied in pumps, compressor, refrigerator & air
conditioners conveyors and machine tools etc.
Capacitor start-capacitor run induction motor
The Capacitor Start Capacitor Run Motor has a cage rotor, and its stator has two windings known as
Main and Auxiliary Windings. The two windings are displaced 90 degrees in space. There are two capacitors
in this method one is used at the time of the starting and is known as starting capacitor. The other one is used
for continuous running of the motor and is known as RUN capacitor. So, this motor is named as Capacitor
Start Capacitor Run Motor. This motor is also known as Two Value Capacitor Motor.

There are two capacitors in this motor represented by CS and CR. At the starting, the two capacitors are
connected in parallel. The Capacitor Cs is the Starting capacitor is short time rated. It is almost electrolytic. A
large amount of current id required to obtain the starting torque. Therefore, the value of the capacitive
reactance X should be low in the starting winding. Since, XA = 1/2πfCA, the value of the starting capacitor
should be large. The rated line current is smaller than the starting current at the normal operating condition of
the motor. Hence, the value of the capacitive reactance should be large. Since, XR = 1/2πfCR, the value of the
run capacitor should be small.
As the motor reaches the synchronous speed, the starting capacitor Cs is disconnected from the circuit
by a centrifugal switch Sc. The capacitor CR is connected permanently in the circuit and thus it is known as
RUN Capacitor. The run capacitor is long time rated and is made of oil filled paper.

This type of motor is quiet and smooth running. They have higher efficiency than the motors that run
on the main windings only. They are used for loads of higher inertia requiring frequent starts where the
maximum pull-out torque and efficiency required are higher. The Two Value Capacitor Motors are used in
pumping equipment, refrigeration, air compressors, etc.
Shaded pole induction motor
The shaded pole induction motor is simply a self-starting single-phase induction motor whose one of
the poles is shaded by the copper ring. The copper ring is also called the shaded ring. This copper ring act as a
secondary winding for the motor. The shaded pole motor rotates only in one particular direction, and the
reverse movement of the motor is not possible.

Working
When the supply is connected to the windings of the rotor, the alternating flux induces in the core of
the rotor. The small portion of the flux link with the shaded coil of the motor as because it is short-circuited.
The variation in the flux induces the voltage inside the ring because of which the circulating current induces
in it.
The circulating current develops the flux in the ring which opposes the main flux of the motor. The
flux induces in the shaded portion of the motor, i.e., a and the unshaded portion of the motor, i.e., b have a
phase difference. The main motor flux and the shaded ring flux are also having a space displacement by an
angle of 90°.

Due to absence of centrifugal switch the construction is simple and robust but this type of
motor has a lot of limitations as:
▪ The starting torque is poor.
▪ The power factor is very low.
▪ Due to copper losses in the shading ring the efficiency is very low.
▪ The speed reversal is very difficult. To achieve the speed reversal, the additional set of shading rings is
required. By opening one set and closing other, direction can be reversed but the method is
complicated and expensive.
▪ The size and power raring of these motors is very small. These motors are usually available in a range
of 1/300 to 1/20 kW.

These motors are cheap but have very low starting torque, low power factor and low efficiency. These
motors are commonly used for the small fans, toy motors, advertising displays, film projectors, record players,
gramophones, hair dryers, photo copying machines etc.
References

▪ A textbook of ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY (B.L Theraja, A.K Theraja)

chapter 36 Single-phase motors
▪ [Link]
▪ [Link]
▪ A.C motors lectures.