Single Phase AC Induction Motors

If two stator windings of unequal impedance are spaced 90 electrical degrees apart and connected in parallel to a single-phase source, the field produced will appear to rotate. This is called phase splitting.

In a split-phase motor, a starting winding is utilized. This winding has a higher resistance and lower reactance than the main winding (below Figure). When the same voltage V_T is applied to the starting and main windings, the current in the main winding (I_M) lags behind the current of the starting winding I_S ( as shown in Figure).

The angle between the two windings is enough phase difference to provide a rotating magnetic field to produce a starting torque. When the motor reaches 70 to 80% of synchronous speed, a centrifugal switch on the motor shaft opens and disconnects the starting winding.

Single-phase motors are used for very small commercial applications such as household appliances and buffers.