Single Phase Induction Motors

Introduction: Single phase induction motors are manufactured in fractional kW range and
operated on single phase supply. These motors are used in numerous applications like ceiling
fans, refrigerators, food mixers, hair driers, portable drills, vacuum cleaners, washing
machines, sewing machines, electric shavers, office machinery etc. These motors are
manufactured in different types to meet the requirements of various applications.

Single phase inductions motors are broadly classified as –

1) Split phase induction motors and 2) Commutator motors
Here we will study the principle of working of split phase induction motors.
Split phase induction motors can be further classified as –
a) Resistance start induction run motors
b) Capacitor start induction run motors
c) Permanent capacitor motors
d) Capacitor start capacitor run motors
e) Shaded pole motors
Single phase induction motor:
Constructionally, this motor is similar to a three-phase induction motor. The only difference
is -
1) Its stator is provided with a single-phase winding and
2) A centrifugal switch is provided in some motors to cut out one winding which is used
only for starting purpose.
This motor has distributed stator winding and a squirrel cage rotor. When the stator is fed
from a single phase supply, it produces flux which is only alternating. It is not a
synchronously rotating flux, as in the case of a three phase stator winding fed from three
phase supply. In single phase motor as the flux is an alternating or pulsating flux it cannot
produce rotation of rotor. Thus a single phase motor is not self starting.
However, if the rotor is given an initial start by hand or by some other means it will go on
revolving and develop a torque in that particular direction. This peculiar behaviour of the
motor can be explained in two ways:
1) by two field or double field revolving theory and
2) by cross field theory
Here, we will discuss only the first theory in brief.
Double field revolving theory:
This theory is based on the fact that the alternating field produced by the stator winding can
be represented as the sum of two oppositely rotating fields of identical strength. The
magnitude of each of these fields will be equal to one half of the maximum field strength of
the stator winding as shown in figure (1). These fields rotate at synchronous speed.
Each component of this rotating fields cuts the rotor, induces an e.m.f. and this produces its
own torque. Obviously, the two torques called as forward and backward torques are
oppositely directed. The total torque developed by the motor is given by the resultant of these
two torques. At starting when the rotor is at standstill, the two torques are exactly equal and
opposite. Therefore the torque developed by the motor is zero. Thus, a single-phase induction
motor with only one stator winding is not self starting.
 A = m / 2
m
B = m / 2

Figure 1: Sinusoidal flux produced by stator represented by two revolving fluxes

If however, the motor is started by some means, the rotor conductors which are in motion cut
the stator flux. Therefore, currents are induced in rotor conductors. These induced rotor
currents increase the forward rotating field and decrease the backward rotating field. The net
torque in the forward direction is thereby increased and the motor continues to accelerate in
the direction in which it is started and approaches near about synchronous speed.
Making single phase induction motor self starting:
We have seen that a single phase induction motor has an alternating field and not a rotating
field. Therefore, it has no starting torque at all. To overcome this drawback and make the
motor self starting, it is temporarily converted into a two phase motor during starting period.
For this purpose, the stator of a single phase motor is provided with an extra winding known
as starting or auxiliary winding in addition to the main or running winding as shown in
figure (2).
Stator winding is arranged such that the phase difference between the currents in the two
stator windings is very large (ideally 90 0). Hence, the motor behaves like a two phase
induction motor. These two currents produce a rotating magnetic flux and hence make the
motor self starting. There are many methods by which the necessary phase difference
between the two currents is created.
Main winding
Stator

Starting winding

Squirrel cage rotor

Air gap

Figure 2: Split phase type motor

In split phase induction motor, both the main and starting windings are connected across the
supply to produce the rotating magnetic field. The rotor is the squirrel cage type and it starts
rotating in the same direction as that of the rotating magnetic field. Once the rotor starts
rotating the starting winding can be disconnected by some mechanical means.
Resistance start induction run motors:
The essential parts of this motor are:
1) Main or running winding
2) Auxiliary or starting winding
3) Squirrel cage type rotor
4) Centrifugal switch
In this motor as shown in figure 3(a), the main winding has low resistance but high reactance
whereas the starting winding has a high resistance, but low reluctance. The resistance of the
staring winding can be increased either by connecting a high resistance R in series with it or
by choosing a high resistance fine copper wire for starting purpose. A centrifugal switch S is
connected in series with the starting winding and is located inside the motor.

Main winding

Starting winding
Single phase supply

Squirrel cage rotor

V
 Is

R

S Im
I

Figure 3 (b) Vector diagram

Figure 3 (a) Construction
As shown in the vector diagram, the current Is drawn by the starting winding lags behind the
applied voltage by a small angle whereas current Im taken by the main winding lags behind V
by a very large angle. Phase angle between Is and Im is made as large as possible because the
starting torque of the motor is proportional to sin α. The two current Is and Im with a phase
difference α between them produce a rotating magnetic field.
Due to the rotating magnetic field produced by the stator winding the rotor starts rotating.
When the motor speed becomes 75 to 80 % of the synchronous speed, the starting winding is
disconnected from the supply by a centrifugal switch S. Then the motor will continue to
operate as a single phase motor.
Torque Speed Characteristics:
A typical torque speed characteristic of resistance start induction run motor is shown in figure
4. The starting torque is 150 to 200 % of the full load torque with a starting current of 6 to 8
times the full load current.
Applications:
As the starting torque of this type of motor is relatively small and its starting current is high,
these motors are most commonly used for rating up to 0.5 h.p. where the load could be started
easily. Commonly available sizes range from 1/20 to 1/3 h.p. (40 to 250 W). Typical
applications of this motor are - fans and blowers, centrifugal pumps, washing machines,
small machine tools etc.

Figure 4: Torque-speed characteristics of Resistance start induction run motor

Capacitor start induction run motors:
In these motors, the necessary phase difference between Is and Im is produced by connecting a
capacitor in series with the starting winding as shown in figure 5(a). The capacitor used is
generally electrolytic type and it is usually mounted on the outside of the motor as a separate
unit. As shown, the main winding is connected across the supply, whereas the staring
winding is connected across the main supply through a capacitor and a centrifugal switch.
As shown in the vector diagram the main winding current Im lags the supply voltage V by a
large angle. On the other hand the current in the starting winding Is leads V by certain angle.
The two currents are out of phase with each other by about 80 0 as compared to nearly 300 for
resistance start motor. The resultant current is small and almost in phase with V as shown in
figure 5(b). This gives higher power factor.

Main winding
Is

Starting winding
Single phase supply


V

C I
Squirrel cage rotor

S Im

Figure 5 (a) Construction Figure 5 (b) Vector diagram

The two currents Is and Im produce a rotating magnetic field due to which the rotor starts
rotating. When the motor reaches about 75 % of full speed, the centrifugal switch S opens and
cuts out both the starting winding and the capacitor from the supply. The capacitor is
therefore designed for extremely short duty service.
Speed – Torque characteristics:
The torque developed by a split phase motor is proportional to the sign of the angle between
Is and Im. Therefore the increase in the angle from 30 to 80 0 increases the starting torque to
nearly twice the value developed by standard split phase induction motor. Typical
performance curve of this motor is shown in figure 6.

Figure 6: Torque-speed characteristics of Capacitor start induction run motor

Applications:
Due to excellent starting torque, these motors are used in washing machines, belted fans,
blowers, dryers, pumps and compressors.
Capacitor Start and Run Motor:
This motor is similar to the capacitor start motor which we have studied earlier. The only
difference is the capacitor and starting winding are connected in the circuit at all the times.
Capacitor start motors are of two types –
1) Permanent capacitor motor (Single value capacitor motor)
2) Capacitor start capacitor run motor (two value capacitor motor).
Permanent capacitor motor:

Main winding

Starting winding
Single phase supply

C Squirrel cage rotor

Figure 7: Permanent capacitor motor

In this motor the capacitor is connected in series with the starting winding and it remains in
the circuit permanently. Obviously, there is no need to use a centrifugal switch which was
necessary in the case of capacitor start motors. Since same capacitance is used for starting
and running, it is obvious that optimum starting or running performance cannot be obtained.
In this motor generally capacitors of 2 to 20 µF are used. More expensive oil capacitors are
required because of continuous duty rating. To avoid low efficiency, the capacity of the
capacitors is kept low. The low value of capacitor results in small starting torque which is
about 50 to 100 % of the rated torque.
Torque – Speed Characteristics:
The torque-speed characteristic of the motor is shown in figure 8. It works on the same
principle as the capacitor start induction run motor with low starting torque, but with higher
power factor during starting as well as running.

Figure 8: Torque-speed characteristics of Permanent Capacitor motor

Applications:
These motors are suitable for drives which require low starting torque, easy changes in
direction of rotation, higher power factor during operation and quite operation. For example –
fans, induction regulators, valves, furnace control, arc welding controls etc.
Capacitor start capacitor run motor:
We have seen that capacitor start induction run motors have excellent starting torque (about
300 % of the full load torque) and their power factor during staring is high. However, their
running torque is low. They also have lesser efficiency and cannot take overloads. These
problems are eliminated by using two value capacitor motor.
In two value capacitor motor one larger capacitor of electrolytic type (short duty) is used for
starting whereas a smaller capacitor of oil filled type (continuous duty) is used for running by
connecting them with the starting winding as shown in figure(9). Generally, starting
capacitor B is 10 to 15 times the running capacitor A.
At the start, when the centrifugal switch is closed, the capacitors are in parallel. Thus their
combined capacitance is the sum of their individual capacitances. After the motor has reached
75 % of the rated speed, the switch S opens and only capacitor A remains in the circuit. In this
way both optimum starting and running performance is achieved in such motors.
Operating Characteristics:
The torque-speed characteristic of this motor is shown in figure 10. Their performance is
charactrised by –
1) ability start heavy loads ( starting torque is 300 % of the full load torque)
2) extremely quiet operation
3) higher efficiency and power factor
4) Can be loaded up to 125 % of the full load capacity.
5) Low starting current
 Main winding

Starting winding

Single phase supply

Squirrel cage rotor

A B

Figure 9: Capacitor start capacitor run motor

Figure 10: Torque-speed characteristics of Capacitor start capacitor run motor

Applications:
These motors are used for compressors, refrigerators, air conditioners etc. where the duty
demands higher starting torque, higher efficiency, higher power factor and overloading.
These motors are costlier than capacitor start induction run motors of the same capacity.
Shaded – pole single phase motor:
In this motors, the necessary phase splitting is produced by induction. These motors have
salient poles on the stator and the rotor is squirrel cage type. One pole of this motor is shown
separately in figure 11. It is made of laminated steel and it has a slot cut across the
laminations approximately one third distance from the edge. Around the smaller portion of
the pole, a short circuited copper ring is placed which is called as the shading coil and this
part of the pole is known as the shaded part of the pole. The remaining part of the pole is
called as unshaded part of the pole. Around the poles, exciting coils are placed to which an
AC supply is connected. When an alternating current is passed through the exciting (or field)
winding, the axis of the pole shifts from the unshaded part to the shaded part. This shifting of
the magnetic axis is equivalent to the actual physical movement of the pole. Hence, the rotor
starts rotating in the direction of this shift i.e. from unshaded part to the shaded part.
 Field Winding
Shading coil

Figure 11: Shaded pole

Let us now see why shifting of the magnetic axis takes place. Here we have to note that the
shading coil is highly inductive. When the alternating current through exciting coil tends to
increase, it induces a current in the shading coil by transformer action. The direction of this
induced current is such that it opposes the growth of exciting current. Hence, flux density
decreases in the shaded part when exciting current increases and it increases when the
exciting current starts decreasing.

A B A B A B

O C O C O C
(a) (b) (c)

Figure 12: Production of rotating magnetic field in shaded pole IM

As shown in figure 12, the exciting current is rapidly increasing along OA. This will produce
an e.m.f. in the shading coil. Thus large current will be set up in the shading ring in such a
direction as to oppose the rise of exciting current. Hence, the flux mostly shifts to the
unshaded part and the magnetic axis lies along the middle of the unshaded part.
Now, consider the moment when the exciting current is near to its peak value i.e. from point
A to point B. Here, the change in exciting current is very slow. Hence, practically no e.m.f.
and, therefore, no current is induced in the shading coil. The flux produced by exciting
current is at its maximum value and it is uniformly distributed over the pole pace. So the
magnetic axis shifts to the centre of the pole.
When the exciting current is rapidly decreasing from B to C, it again sets up induced current
in the shading coil by transformer action. This current will flow in such a direction as to
oppose this decrease in exciting current. Thus the flux is strengthened in the shaded part of
the pole. Therefore, the magnetic axis shifts to the middle part of the shaded pole.
From this discussion we can conclude that the magnetic axis shifts from the unshaded part to
the shaded part. This is equivalent to physical rotary movement of the pole.
Characteristics of the Shaded pole motors:
A typical torque-speed curve for this motor is shown in figure 13. These motors are
extremely rugged, reliable, simple in construction and cheap. But, the disadvantages of this
motor are –
1) Low starting torque
2) Very little overload capacity
3) Low efficiency (5 to 35 %)
4) The direction of this motor cannot be changed, because it is fixed by the position of
shading ring.
200

150
Percent FL Torque

100

50

0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Speed

Figure 13: Speed-Torque characteristics of shaded pole IM

Applications:
Shaded pole motors are built commercially in very small sizes 1/250 h.p. (3 W) to 1/6 h.p.
(125 W). Because of low starting torque these motors are generally used for small fans, toys,
hair dryers, ventilators, electric clocks etc.