Single Phase Induction Motor

A single-phase induction motor converts single-phase AC electrical energy into mechanical

energy using electromagnetic induction. It consists of a stator with a main winding and a rotor
(typically a squirrel cage). When the stator is connected to a single-phase AC supply, it produces
a pulsating magnetic field, which induces currents in the rotor. These rotor currents interact with
the stator magnetic field, creating torque and resulting in motor rotation.
Detailed Explanation:

1. Construction:

 Stator: The stationary part with a single-phase winding (main winding).

 Rotor: The rotating part, typically a squirrel cage, with conductive bars and end rings.
2. Working Principle:

 Pulsating Magnetic Field: When a single-phase AC supply is connected to the stator, it

produces a pulsating magnetic field.
 Rotor Current Induction: This pulsating magnetic field cuts through the rotor
conductors, inducing currents in them due to electromagnetic induction.
 Torque Development: The interaction between the rotor currents and the stator magnetic
field generates torque, causing the rotor to rotate.
3. Starting Mechanism:

 Double Revolving Field Theory: A single-phase AC supply creates two counter-rotating

magnetic fields. One is a forward-rotating field and the other is a backward-rotating field.
 Need for Starting Torque: A single-phase induction motor is not self-starting due to the
pulsating nature of the magnetic field. It requires a starting mechanism (e.g., a capacitor or
a shaded pole) to provide the initial torque to initiate rotation.
4. Types of Single-Phase Induction Motors:

 Split-phase: Utilizes an auxiliary winding (usually a capacitor) to create a phase difference

between the stator windings, aiding in starting.
 Capacitor-start: Uses a capacitor in series with the auxiliary winding to provide a phase
difference for starting.
 Capacitor-run: Uses a capacitor in series with the auxiliary winding to improve the power
factor and enhance motor performance during operation.
 Shaded-pole: Incorporates a copper shading ring around a pole to create a delayed
magnetic field, aiding in starting.

Pulsating Magnetic Field: The word Pulsating means that the field builds up in one direction
falls to zero and then builds up in the opposite direction.This field is stationary and does not
rotate, unlike the rotating field in a three-phase motor. The stator winding consists of a single set
of coils, and the pulsating magnetic field is a result of the alternating current flowing through
these coils.
Two Rotating Fields:
This pulsating field can be mathematically decomposed into two rotating magnetic fields of equal
strength, one rotating forward (clockwise, A) and the other rotating backward (anticlockwise,
B). Both rotating fields rotate at the same synchronous speed as the AC supply frequency. Let
the alternating flux has mximum value m when  = t =0. The position is x-ais direction as
shown in Fig. 1(a). The two equal and opposite fluxes(A and B) have maximum magnitude are
same and equal to m/2.

At standstill, the forward (A) and backward fields(B) cancel each other out, resulting in zero net
torque and preventing the motor from starting on its own.

A =m/2
+ m
B =m/2

Fig. 1(a)

After some time, when A and B would have rotated through angle + and -  as in Fig.1(b), the
resultant flux would be
A =m/2
∅𝑚
∅𝑅 = 2 × 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = ∅𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
2 +
+ mcos
-
B =m/2

Fig. 1(b)

After a quarter cycle,  =90, fluxes A and B will be oppositely directed and the resultant flux
R is zero.
After half cycle, fluxes A and B will have avresultant of - 2m/2 = - m.
After three quarter of a cycle, again the resultant is zero.
So starting torque is not produced without any help.

Starting Torque:
The motor starts when an external force or a starting mechanism (like a capacitor) creates a phase
difference between the two rotating fields, allowing one field to dominate and produce a starting
torque.

Rotor Interaction:
As the rotor rotates, it interacts with both the forward and backward rotating fields, generating
induced currents and a resultant torque that causes the rotor to rotate in the direction of the
forward field.

Slip:
The difference between the synchronous speed of the rotating fields and the rotor speed is called
slip
Some common applications include:

 Household appliances like fans, blowers, mixers, grinders, etc.

 Commercial refrigerators, water pumps, air conditioners, etc.
 Light industrial tools for metalworking, woodworking, etc.
 Agricultural applications like water pumps, threshing machines, etc.
 CNC machines, lathe machines, and drilling machines for small industries.

Advantages of Single Phase Induction Motor

 Economical and inexpensive due to simple construction

 Self-starting capability enables direct connection to single phase supply
 Rugged and maintenance-free squirrel cage rotor construction
 Compact and lightweight motor suitable for domestic and light applications
 Easy speed control through external resistors in starters
 Widely available with standard designs and ratings

Disadvantages of Single Phase Induction Motor

 Develops only about 60-65% of the maximum torque of a 3 phase motor

 Low power factor of around 0.4 to 0.5 compared to near unity in 3 phase motors
 Produces increased vibrations and noise due to torque pulsations
 Efficiency is lower by about 5% compared to an equivalent 3 phase motor
 Requires special circuits for self-starting, increasing cost and size
 Has 20-30% higher current drawn from the supply mains during start-up

A split-phase induction motor is a type of single-phase induction motor in which the stator is
provided with a starting or auxiliary winding (S) and a main or running winding (M). The
starting winding is displaced by 90° from the main winding as shown in the figure .
The two windings are so designed that the starting winding S has a high resistance and
relatively small reactance while the main winding M has relatively low resistance and
large reactance as shown in the schematic connections in the figure shown above.

Consequently, the currents flowing in the two windings have a reasonable phase
difference (25° to 30°) as shown in the phasor diagram in the figure given above. Hence the
motor behaves like a two-phase motor. These two currents produce a revolving flux and hence
make the motor self-starting.

A centrifugal switch is connected in series with the starting winding. Its function is to
automatically disconnect the starting winding from the supply when the motor has reached 70
to 80 percent of its full load speed.

The resistance of starting winding may be increased in two ways :

1. by connecting a high resistance in series with it or

2. by choosing high resistance fine copper wire for winding purposes.

The starting torque is given by;

Ts = kImIssinα
where k is a constant whose magnitude depends upon the design of the motor.

The direction of rotation of such motors can be reversed by reversing the connection of any one
of the stator windings ( not both ). The rotating magnetic field gets reversed and hence the motor
rotates in the opposite direction. For this purpose four leads are brought outside the frame.
Characteristics of Split Phase Induction Motor
The important characteristics of the split-phase induction motor are given below,

1. The starting torque is 150 to 200 percent of the full load torque with a starting current
of 6 to 8 times the full load current.
2. Due to their low cost, split-phase induction motors are the most popular single-phase
motors in the market.
3. Since the starting winding is made of fine wire, the current density is high and the
winding heats up quickly. If the starting period exceeds 5 seconds, the winding may burn
out unless the motor is protected by built-in-thermal relay. This motor is, therefore,
suitable where starting periods are not frequent.
4. An important characteristic of these motors is that they are essentially constant-speed
motors. The speed variation is 2-5% from no-load to full load. For this reason, they are
usually regarded as constant-speed motors.
5. These motors are suitable where a moderate starting torque is required and where
starting periods are infrequent

e.g., to drive:

 (a) fans
 (b) washing machines
 (c) oil burners
 (d) small machine tools etc.

The power rating of such motors generally lies between 60 W and 250 W.