Working of Single Phase Induction Motors

Single phase induction motors require just one power phase for its operation. They are
commonly used in low power rating applications, in domestic as well as industrial use. This
article is aimed at giving you a conceptual overview of working of single phase motors.

Parts of Single Phase Induction Motor

Main components of single phase motor are rotor and stator winding. Rotor is the rotating part,
stator winding helps in rotating rotor. In Fig.1 iron layer lamina which are fitted inside rotor is
not shown, for better viewing of rotor bars.

Fig.1 Mains parts of single phase induction motor : Rotor and Stator

Winding has got 2 parts. One main winding and auxiliary winding. Auxiliary winding is placed
perpendicular to the main winding. A capacitor is connected in auxiliary winding.
 Fig.2 Single phase motor has got 2 perpendicularly placed wingdings

Working of Single Phase Motor

To understand its working better, let’s assume there is only one coil in main and auxiliary
winding.

Fig.3 We will analyse a case with both the wingdings are having one coil

Assume no current is flowing through auxiliary winding. AC current passing through main
winding will produce a fluctuating magnetic field.
 Fig.3 AC current passing through main winding will produce a fluctuating magnetic field

Working of single phase induction motors is simple. Just put one rotor which is already rotating,
inside such a magnetic field. You can note one interesting thing; the rotor will keep on rotating in
the same direction.

Fig.4 A rotor with initial rotation will keep on rotating in a fluctuating magnetic field

Reason behind this phenomenon is explained in coming sections.

The Reason – Double Revolving Field Theory

The fluctuating field is equivalent to sum of two oppositely rotating magnetic fields. This
concept is known as double revolving field theory. Bu looking at the figure below, you can easily
understand theory. Here one fluctuating quantity is represented as vector sum of 2 oppositely
rotating quantities, for 3 time instances.
 Fig.5 Fluctuating field at RHS of each figure is equivalent to sum of 2 oppositely rotating
magnetic fields

Effect of rotating magnetic field on rotor is interesting. Since magnetic field is varying electricity
is induced in rotor bars due to electromagnetic induction. In Fig.6 blue arrows on bars represent
current induced. So here is a situation of current carrying bars are immersed in magnetic field.
This will produce a force according to Lawrence law. So rotor will start rotating.

Fig.6 Effect of RMF on rotor : It will induce a starting torque

But here we have got 2 such oppositely rotating magnetic fields, so torques produced by them
will be equal and opposite. Net effect will be zero torque on rotor. So rotor won’t start it will
simply buzz.
 Fig.7 Motor will not be able to start here, since there 2 torques which are equal and opposite
But if we can somehow give this rotor an initial rotation, one torque will be greater than other.
There will be a net torque in same direction of initial rotation. As a result the loop will keep on
rotating in same direction. This is the way single phase induction motor works.

Fig.8 An initial rotation of rotor will produce one torque greater than other

How to Provide Initial Rotation ?

But one big problem remains. How to provide such an initial rotation to the rotor ?. Nikola Tesla,
a famous Yugoslav inventor suggested one ingenious solution to this problem.

If we can cancel any of the rotating fields, we will be able to start the motor. The auxiliary
winding cum capacitor arrangement is used exactly for this purpose. Auxiliary winding also
produces 2 oppositely revolving magnetic fields. One of them will cancel RMF of main winding
and other will get added up. Resultant will be a single magnetic field, which revolves under
specific speed. This phenomenon is shown diagrammatically in following picture.

Fig.9 Effect of auxiliary winding cum capacitor arrangement : One RMF gets cancelled other
gets added up

Such a magnetic field can give starting torque to rotor. Or the motor will self start. After the rotor
has attained a specific speed, even if you cut the auxiliary winding, it will keep on rotating, as
explained earlier. This cutting action is done through a centrifugal switch.