Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

Single-Phase Motors
Introduction

1 motors are small motors, mostly built in the fractional horsepower range.

Extensively used in home appliances, portable devices, offices, shops & factories.

There are 3 types of single-phase motors: induction motors, synchronous motors & series
(universal) motors

Single-Phase Induction Motors

Composed of a squirrel-cage rotor and a stator.

The stator has 2 windings:

o

a single-phase main winding

a smaller auxiliary/starting winding (that operates for a brief period when the motor starts
up)

Auxiliary winding is required because the motor does not develop any starting torque &
therefore will not rotate when the stator winding is connected to an ac supply (i.e. this motor is
not self-starting).

However, if the rotor is given a spin or started by auxiliary circuits, it will continue to run and
torque will be developed.

The rotor accelerates until it reaches a speed slightly below synchronous speed, ns.
nr < ns

and

ns

nr

= rotor/ motor speed in rpm

ns

= synchronous speed in rpm

= supply frequency in Hz

= number of poles

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

120 f
p

Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

Principle of Operation of Single-Phase Induction Motor

The operation can be explained by the double revolving-field theory or cross-field theory.

According to the theory, a revolving magnetic field is produced by forward & backward rotating
fluxes.

How?

The main winding is supplied by a 1 ac current that produces an ac flux s that pulsates
back & forth (a pulsating magnetic field is equivalent to 2 rotating fields of half the
magnitude but rotate at the same synchronous speed in opposite direction)

This flux induces an ac voltage in the stationary rotor which, in turn, creates large ac rotor
currents.

The interaction between the fields & the current induced in the rotor bars generates
opposing torque.

The motor will not start (no starting torque is developed. The torque cancels out each
other).

However, if we spin the rotor in one direction, the rotor will rotate in the direction of the spin
& quickly accelerates until it reaches a speed slightly below synchronous speed.

As the rotor begins to turn, it cuts the stator flux s producing an induced emf in the rotor
conductors.

This emf causes currents Ir to flow in the rotor bars.

These currents then produce an ac flux r.

The combined action of the s and r produces a revolving magnetic field (similar to that in
a 3 motor).

The interaction between this field & the current induced in the rotor bars generates resultant
torque that keeps the motor rotating in the direction of the spin.

Figure 1: Torque-speed characteristic of single-phase induction motor

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

Assume that the rotor is rotating in the direction of the forward rotating field. The slip, sf with
respect to the forward field is given by

sf

ns nr
s
ns

Thus,

nr n s (1 s )

The rotor rotates opposite to the rotation of the backward field. Therefore, the slip, sb with
respect to the backward field is

sb

n s ( nr )
2s
ns

Equivalent Circuit of Single-Phase Induction Motor

Figure 2: Equivalent circuit of single-phase induction motor

Based on Faradays Law, the voltage induced in the stator winding (or air gap voltage) can be
split into halves according to the double revolving field theory.

Eb 4.44 fN b

E f 4.44 fN f
Thus,

E 4.44 fN

Where f, b and is the revolving air gap flux and Ef = Eb

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

The value of

0.5 Rr'
can be replaced by two resistors in series
s

0.5 Rr'
1 s
0.5 Rr' 0.5 Rr' (
)
s
s

0.5 Rr'
s 1
0.5 Rr' 0.5 Rr' (
)
2s
2s

The equivalent circuit then becomes,

Figure 3: Equivalent circuits of single-phase induction motor (with

Figure 4: The simplified equivalent circuit

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

0.5 Rr'
s

replaced)

Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

To simplify the calculations, the simplified equivalent circuit of Figure 4 can be used.

jX m
0.5 Rr'
j 0.5 X r' ] //
Z f R f jX f [
s
2
j 0.5 X m ( j 0.5 X r' 0.5 Rr' / s )
Zf
0.5 Rr' / s j 0.5( X m X r' )
jX m
0.5 Rr'
Z b Rb jX b [
j 0.5 X r' ] //
2s
2

j 0.5 X m [ j 0.5 X r' 0.5 Rr' /( 2 s )]

Zb
0.5 Rr' /( 2 s ) j 0.5( X m X r' )

The input power of this motor is

Pin V1 I 1 cos

The air gap powers due to the forward field and backward field are:

Pag ( f ) I 12 R f
The total air gap power is

Pag ( b ) I 12 Rb

Pag (T ) Pag ( f ) Pag ( b )

The rotor copper loss is the sum of the losses produced by each field. It occurs across

0.5 Rr' resistances. The rotor copper losses produced by the forward and backward field are:

PRCL ( f ) sPag ( f )

PRCL ( b ) ( 2 s ) Pag ( b )

The total rotor copper loss is

PRCL (T ) PRCL ( f ) PRCL ( b )

The mechanical powers developed by the forward and backward field are:

Pm ( f ) (1 s ) Pag ( f )
The total mechanical power is

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

Pm ( b ) ( s 1) Pag ( b )

Pm (T ) Pm ( f ) Pm ( b )

Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

Thus, the total mechanical torque produced is

Tm (T )

Pm (T )

Pm (T )

s (1 s )

r s (1 s )

2n s
60

Then, the corresponding torques are:

Tf

where

Pag ( f )

I 12 R f

Tb

Pag ( b )

I 12 Rb

From total mechanical power and corresponding torque equations, we can conclude that

Tm (T ) T f Tb

The output is

Pout Pmech P
Where P is the rotational losses and it is assumed that core losses are also included in the
rotational losses.

Example 1:
A single-phase, hp, 120 V, 60 Hz, four-pole, 1730 rpm induction motor has the following
equivalent circuit parameters
R1 = 2.9

R2 = 2.7

Xm = 55.72

Determine the
a) input current and power factor
b) input power
c) developed torque
d) output power if the rotational losses is 72.94 W
e) efficiency
f)

air gap power

g) rotor copper loss

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

X1 = X2 = 3.26

Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

Classification of Single-Phase Induction Motors

These motors are known by various names according to the methods used to start them.

Some common types are:

o

resistance-start (split-phase)

capacitor-start

capacitor-run

shaded-pole

a) Split-phase motors

Figure 5: Split-phase motors

A schematic diagram of the split-phase motors is shown in Figure 5a).

o

The auxiliary winding has a higher resistance to reactance ratio than the main winding, so
the two currents are out of phase as shown in Figure 5b).

The high resistance to reactance ratio is obtained by using finer wire.

The centrifugal switch is disconnected at about 75% of the synchronous speed.

The typical torque-speed characteristic of this motor is shown in Figure 5c).

o

This motor has low to moderate starting torque with low starting current, which depends on
phase angle between the winding currents.

The starting torque can be increased by inserting a series resistance in the auxiliary
winding.

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

b) Capacitor-start motors

Figure 6: Capacitor-start motors

When a capacitor is connected in series with the auxiliary winding, it increases the phase angle
between the winding currents.
o

Hence, higher starting torque can be obtained.

The auxiliary winding is disconnected at about 75% of the synchronous speed.

The capacitor is an added cost though.

c) Capacitor-run motors

Figure 7: Capacitor-run motors

The capacitor and auxiliary winding are not cut out after starting.
o

This simplifies the construction and decrease the cost because centrifugal switch is not
needed.

The PF, torque pulsation and efficiency are also improved because the motor runs as a
two-phase motor. It will run more quietly.

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

d) Capacitor-start capacitor-run motors

Figure 8: Capacitor-start capacitor-run motors

Two capacitors needed; for starting and for running.

o

Hence, optimum starting and running performance can be achieved.

Cs > Cr and Cr is permanently connected in series with the auxiliary winding.

This motor is expensive, of course, compared to others; however, it provides the best
performance.

e) Shaded-pole motors

Figure 9: Shaded-pole motors

These motors have a salient pole construction.

o

Shading coil consisting of a short-circuited copper turn is used on one portion of each pole.

The main winding is wound on the salient poles.

It is generally built for low hp rating and is the least expensive.

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

Single-Phase Synchronous Motors

Synchronous motors run at constant speed and are used in applications such as clocks.

These motors do not require dc field excitation and permanent magnets.

Therefore they are simple in construction.

There are two common types of single-phase synchronous motor:

o

reluctance motors

hysteresis motors

a) Reluctance motors

Figure 10: Reluctance motors

Essentially similar to shaded-pole induction motors except that some of the rotor teeth are
removed at the appropriate places to provide the required number of poles.
o

These motors can start as an induction motor, which auxiliary winding is cut out at about
75% of the synchronous speed.

When the speed is close to the synchronous speed the rotor tends to align itself into
synchronism and continues to rotate at synchronous speed.

They have low PF because they require a large amount of reactive current for their
excitation.

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

10

Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

b) Hysteresis motors

Figure 11: Hysteresis motors

These motors use the hysteresis property to produce torque.

o

The rotor has a ring of special magnetic material such as magnetically hard steel & cobalt.

The stator windings are normally the capacitor-run type.

These motors are quiet and smooth-running.

Single-Phase Series (Universal) Motors

These motors can be used with either a dc supply or single phase ac supply.

They provide high starting torque and can operate at high speed (1500 to 10,000 rpm).

They are mostly operated from a single-phase ac source.

Therefore, both the rotor and stator structures are made of laminated steel to reduce core
losses and eddy current.

Speed Control

In any applications of single-phase motors, speed must be varied over a certain range.

A convenient and economical way of achieving speed control is to control the voltage applied
to the motor terminals.

In the classical method, speed is changed by changing the value of an external resistance
connected in series with the motor.

This method is easy to implement but the power loss in the resistance, its physical size and the
problems of durability and maintenance of the resistance are some of the disadvantages of this
method.

Recently, a solid-state controller has been widely used to vary the speed.

D. Johari, FKE UiTM

11