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Performance Evaluation of Permanent Split-
Capacitor Single-Phase Induction Motor for
Ceiling Fan Application
D. Ishak*, T. L. Tiang, S. K. Choy
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia.
*E-mail:͑dahaman@usm.my
Abstract — The parameters of a permanent split-capacitor
single-phase induction motor can be estimated by conducting the
DC test, blocked rotor test and no-load test which later can be used
to facilitate the prediction of motor torque-speed characteristics.
To improve further its performance, an exact motor model is
simulated and investigated in 2D finite element analysis under
influence of different capacitor values, winding turn ratio and
impedance ratio. A prototype is built and tested. Experimental
results are compared with those obtained in 2D finite element
analysis.
I. INTRODUCTION
Due to its simplicity in construction and easy availability of
single-phase power supply in almost every household, single-
phase induction motors (SPIM) have been used for a long time
for trivial and repetitive chores. They are also often used in
light-duty industrial applications where three-phase supply is
not readily available. They are robust, almost free of
maintenance, relatively cheap and have reasonable efficiency
and operating torque [1]. Compared with a three-phase
induction motor, SPIM is simpler in construction but it is more
complicated to be analyzed and modelled through an equivalent
circuit [2]. SPIM is not self-starting machine since its torque due
to single-phase winding alone would only cause the motor to
vibrate instead of rotating.
In order to create a starting torque for SPIM, a phase-shifted
magnetic field has to be generated. This is normally
accomplished by having main and auxiliary windings in
quadrature to ensure that the auxiliary winding current from the
main supply is phase shifted [3]. There are several types of
SPIM which use the concept of main and auxiliary windings to
start the motors such as split-phase, capacitor-start, capacitor-
run and capacitor-start capacitor-run. A rotating magnetic field
can be produced if two-phase symmetrical ac voltages excite the
main and auxiliary windings that are wound 90° elect. apart
around the stator air gap. However, in reality, a common single-
phase source feeds both windings. Therefore, a capacitor is
normally connected in series with the auxiliary winding to
generate leading phase current in order for the SPIM to self-start
by producing sufficiently high starting torque.
II. DOUBLE REVOLVING FIELD THEORY
When the rotor is at standstill and the stator winding is
connected to single-phase ac supply, the generated pulsating

stator flux will induce current in the rotor bars, hence producing
rotor pulsating flux acting along the same axis as the stator flux.
According to Lenz’s law, these two fluxes will oppose each
other. Therefore, no starting torque is developed as the angle
between these fluxes is zero. Double revolving field theory
states that stator magnetic field can be decomposed into two
rotating magnetic fields, each of equal magnitude but rotating in
opposite directions. Forward field rotates in the direction of
mechanical movement, whereas backward field rotates in the
opposite direction [4-5].
As stated in [6], torque is only developed when the motor is in
running condition, which can be done by spinning the motor
manually or using auxiliary circuit. Let the mmf along rotor
angular position ߠ for sinusoidally distributed stator winding be
‫ܨ‬ሺߠሻ ൌ ܰ݅ …‘• ߠ (1)
where N = the effective number of turns of the stator winding
and the stator current i is given by
݅ ൌ ‫ܫ‬௠௔௫ …‘• ߱‫ݐ‬ (2)
Therefore, the MMF is given by
‫ܨ‬ሺߠǡ ‫ݐ‬ሻ ൌ ܰ‫ܫ‬௠௔௫ …‘• ߠ …‘• ߱‫ݐ‬
ேூ ேூ
ൌ  ೘ೌೣ …‘•ሺ߱‫ ݐ‬െ ߠሻ ൅ ೘ೌೣ …‘•ሺ߱‫ ݐ‬൅ ߠሻ
ଶ ଶ
ൌ ‫ܨ‬௙ ൅  ‫ܨ‬௕ (3)
Although rotating in different directions, the forward rotating
mmf Ff (rotating in the direction of ߠ) and the backward rotating
mmf Fb (rotating in the opposite direction of ߠ) produce a useful
net torque except when the rotor is at standstill. This is because
during standstill, the forward and backward torques are equal in
magnitude, therefore, they cancel each other. Whereas at other
speed, the unequal torque produced will keep the rotor rotating
in direction of rotation. The slip with respect to forward field
can be represented as
௡ ି௡
‫ݏ‬௙ ൌ  ೞ ೘ (4)
௡ೞ
The slip with respect to backward field can be represented as
݊௦ െ ሺെ݊௠ ሻ
‫ݏ‬௕ ൌ 
݊௦
݊௦ ൅ ݊௠
ൌ
݊௦
ʹ݊௦ െ ݊௦ ൅ ݊௠
ൌ
݊௦
ൌʹെ‫ݏ‬ (5)
Again, double-revolving field theory is used to analyse the
qualitative and quantitative performance of the single-phase
induction motor. It is also used to obtain the equivalent circuit
of single phase induction motor including the effects of forward
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field and backward field. To estimate equivalent circuit
parameters, both no-load and locked-rotor tests are performed.
Magnetizing reactance can be obtained using the no-load test
results. Stator and rotor leakage reactance and stator referred
rotor winding resistance can be computed using locked-rotor
test data [7].
III. MATHEMATICAL MODELING
SPIM is equivalent to a secondary short-circuited transformer
when the rotor is at standstill and the stator winding is excited
with single-phase supply. Using double revolving field theory
as discussed earlier, qualitative and quantitative performance of
SPIM can be analysed. Due to the effect of forward and
backward fields, the equivalent circuit is split into two halves.
If the SPIM is running at some speed and certain slip s in the
direction of forward field, the forward field induces rotor
current at frequency of sf (slip, s multiplies with the stator
supply frequency, f ). The rotor mmf rotates at the slip speed
with respect to the rotor but at synchronous speed with respect
to the stator. Forward air gap flux that induces the voltage Ef is
produced by the resultant of the forward stator mmf and the
rotor mmf. The equivalent circuit of forward rotor part reflected
ோ ᇱ
to the stator side has impedance of ݆ͲǤͷܺଶᇱ ൅ ͲǤͷ మ as shown
௦
in Fig. 1.
I1 R1 X1
..
0.5 X2'
0.5 Xmag
..
0.5 R2'/s
+
V1
0.5 X2'
0.5 Xmag
0.5 R2'/(2-s)
Fig. 1. Equivalent circuit of SPIM with rotor rotating at slip s.
On the other hand, rotor circuit current at frequency of (2-s)f
is induced by the backward rotating field. The corresponding
rotor mmf rotates in the air gap at synchronous speed in
backward direction. A voltage Eb is produced by the resultant of
the backward stator mmf and the rotor mmf. The equivalent
circuit of backward rotor circuit reflected to the stator side has
ோ ᇱ
impedance of ݆ͲǤͷܺଶᇱ ൅ ͲǤͷ మ as shown in Fig. 1.
ଶି௦
It can be noted that the forward flux is always greater than
ோ ᇱ
backward flux at slip other than s=1 (since ݆ͲǤͷܺଶᇱ ൅ ͲǤͷ మ
௦ Fig. 2. Equivalent circuits of permanent split-capacitor SPIM (a) main

ோ ᇱ
˃݆ͲǤͷܺଶᇱ ൅ ͲǤͷ మ for any s except s=1). It also implies that
ଶି௦
forward impedance Zf is always larger than the backward
impedance Zb , hence, the forward voltage Ef is always bigger
than the backward voltage Eb.
Traditional method to obtain single-phase induction motor
parameters can be carried out using no-load test and blocked
rotor test with the auxiliary winding opens. However, in our
case, auxiliary winding parameters is also included when
obtaining equivalent circuit for permanent split-capacitor
motor, even though the rest of the procedure in obtaining main
and auxiliary parameters is the same as normal single-phase
induction motor. That is why the equivalent circuit for
permanent-split capacitor motor is slightly different from the
equivalent circuit of other single-phase induction motor such as
split-phase induction motor [8,10]. The equivalent circuit
considering the auxiliary winding effect is shown in Fig. 2.
It is noted that in permanent split-capacitor SPIM, the main
winding flux can be resolved into main forward flux and main
backward flux. The auxiliary winding flux can also be resolved
into auxiliary forward flux and auxiliary backward flux.
Voltages are induced in both main and auxiliary windings due
to the forward and backward revolving fluxes in main and
auxiliary windings.
From Fig. 2, the main winding equivalent circuit includes Efm
and Ebm which are the voltages induced by its own forward flux,
Øfm and backward flux, Øbm respectively. The fluxes from the
auxiliary winding, Øfa and Øba also induce voltage -jEfa/a and
jEba/a in the main winding, which can be represented as internal
voltages, and a is the turn ratio of auxiliary winding Na to the
main winding Nm. The –j in the induced voltage represents a
phase lag of 90o since Øfa induces voltage in the main winding
that peaks 90o later. On the other hand, a voltage of jEba/a
induced in the main winding means that the voltage peaks 90o
earlier. From Fig. 2, the auxiliary winding equivalent circuit
includes Efa and Eba which are the voltages induced by its own
forward flux Øfa and backward flux Øba respectively. The fluxes
from main winding Øfm and Øbm also induce voltage jaEfm and -
jaEbm in the auxiliary winding, which can be represented as
internal voltages.
R1m X1m Xc R1m X1m
.. ..
Xf (a^2)Xf
.. ..
Rf (a^2)Rf
+
-jEf,aux/a jaEfm
+
+
Vm Va
Xb (a^2)Xb
Rb (a^2)Rb
+
j Eb,aux/a -jaEbm
(a) (b)
winding. (b) auxiliary winding.
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Consequently, Xmag can be determined. Therefore, it is obvious

For testing SPIM, [9] is referred. DC test, blocked rotor test that from dc test, blocked rotor test and no-load test, R1m, R1a,
and no-load test are carried out in order to obtain motor R2’, X1m, X2’, Xmag can be computed. The auxiliary stator
parameters. leakage reactance is obtained from the equation:
X1a = a2X1m (18)
A. DC TEST
Also,
After removing the capacitor in the auxiliary winding, dc ଵ
Zc = (19)
voltage is applied across the stator winding and the dc current is ௝ଶ௽௙஼
then measured. Stator winding dc resistance R1m thus can be
computed. To obtain the auxiliary winding dc resistance R1a, To simplify the calculations of obtaining SPIM parameters,
main winding is made open and dc voltage is applied across the Zf = Rf + jXf
ೃ ᇲ
auxiliary winding. The dc current is then measured. ௝଴Ǥହ௑೘ೌ೒ ሺ௝଴Ǥହ௑మᇲା଴Ǥହ మ ሻ
௏ = బǤఱೃమᇲ
ೞ
(20)
Main winding resistance ܴଵ௠ ൌ  ೏೎ǡ೘ೌ೔೙ (6) ೞ
ା௝଴Ǥହሺ௑೘ೌ೒ ା௑మ ᇱሻ
ூ೏೎ǡ೘ೌ೔೙
Zb = Rb + jXb
ೃ ᇲ
௏೏೎ǡೌೠೣ ௝଴Ǥହ௑೘ೌ೒ ሺ௝଴Ǥହ௑మᇲା଴Ǥହ మ ሻ
Auxiliary winding resistance ܴଵ௔ ൌ  (7) = బǤఱೃమ ᇲ
మషೞ
(21)
ூ೏೎ǡೌೠೣ ା௝଴Ǥହሺ௑೘ೌ೒ ା௑మ ᇱሻ
మషೞ

B. BLOCKED ROTOR TEST

Applying Kirchoff’s Voltage Law on Fig. 2,
In blocked rotor test, the rotor is held at standstill while Vm = (Z1m + Zf + Zb) Im – jEfa/a + jEba/a (22)
exciting main winding with blocked rotor voltage VBR such that Va = jaEfm – jaEbm + (Zc + Z1a + a2 Zf + a2 Zb) Ia (23)
the blocked rotor line current IBR equals the rated current.
The blocked rotor resistance RBR is computed as Since in SPIM, only one power supply is applied to the motor,
௉
ܴ஻ோ ൌ  మಳೃ (8) we know that Vm = Va = 240‫ס‬0° V. The input current,
ூಳೃ
The blocked rotor impedance is given by I s = I m + I a. (24)
௏ It is also noticed that
ܼ஻ோ ൌ  ಳೃ (9) Efa = Iaa2Zf (25)
ூೃ
Blocked rotor reactance is thus computed as Eba = Iaa2Zb (26)
ܺ஻ோ ൌ  ඥܼ஻ோ ଶ ଶ
െ  ܴ஻ோ (10) Efm = ImZf (27)
Rotor winding resistance R2’ is then computed as Ebm = ImZb (28)
ܴଶ ′ ൌ  ܴ஻ோ െ  ܴଵ௠ (11) Therefore the equations (22) and (23) can be simplified as
Assuming that the stator and rotor leakages to be equal, X1 = X2’ below:
= 0.5XBR. Therefore, R1, X1, R2’ and X2’ can be determined. Vm = (Z1m + Zf + Zb) Im – ja (Zf – Zb) Ia (29)
Va = ja (Zf – Zb) Im + (Zc + Z1a + a2 Zf + a2 Zb) Ia (30)
C. NO-LOAD TEST
There is no eddy current induced in rotor bars and slip=0 when Solving these two equations simultaneously, Im and Ia are
motor is rotating at synchronous speed [3]. Rotating mmf obtained. The air gap power due to forward and backward flux
produced by stator winding is also rotating at synchronous can be expressed as below:
speed. The test is called as no-load test of induction motor where Pgf – Pgb = (|Im|2 + |a Ia|2) (Rf – Rb) +
rotor region becomes part of the stator region and magnetic flux 2a|Im||Ia|(Rf + Rb)sin (Ɵa – Ɵm) (31)
paths is completed through rotor region. From [9], rated voltage
VNL is applied during no-load test, and current INL and power Since P = Tω, the operating torque for the SPIM is expressed as
PNL are measured at no-load. For s = 0, the rotor resistance of below:
ோ ᇱ ୔୥୤Ȃ୔୥ୠ
forward branch is assumed to be infinite as the term 0.5 మ T=
௦ ఠೞ೤೙೎
ோ ᇱ
approaches infinity. This makes rotor branch ݆ͲǤͷܺଶᇱ ൅ ͲǤͷ మ T=
ሺȁ୍୫ȁమ ାȁୟ୍ୟȁమ ሻሺୖ୤Ȃୖୠሻାଶୟȁ୍୫ȁȁ୍ୟȁሺୖ୤ାୖୠሻୱ୧୬ሺƟୟȂƟ୫ሻ
(32)
௦ భమబೣ೑ మഏ
becomes open-circuit, leaving only Zf = j0.5Xmag. ೛
௫
లబ
At standstill where s=1,
PBL = IBL2 (R1m+R2’) (12) By running the motor at different speed, or in other word
ZBL = VBL/IBL (13) different slip, s, different torque can be obtained and from here,
ZBL2 = (R1m + R2’)2 + (X1m+X2’)2 (14) torque-speed characteristic of the SPIM can be plotted.
In normal case, X1m is usually assumed to be equal to X2’.
IV. FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
At no-load, slip s=0, In order to obtain high accuracy of parameters estimation, 2D
PNL = INL2(RNL) (15) finite element method (FEM) is used to build motor models.
ZNL = VNL/INL (16) This is because FEM includes the consideration of the real
= [RNL2 + (0.5Xmag + X1m + 0.5X2’)2 ]1/2 (17) representation of the complex machine geometry, correct spatial
distribution of stator winding, actual representation of winding


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distribution on the stator slots, magnetic saturation and non-
linear behaviours of the iron materials. These considerations
provide accurate calculation of electromagnetic fields and
estimation of machine parameters.
A 18-pole permanent split-capacitor SPIM model is built
using Opera2D, a 2D finite element software from Cobham
Technical Services. The rotor consists of 65 bars. The outer
layer of the stator slots is for main windings whereas the inner
layer of the stator slots is for the auxiliary windings, as shown
in Fig. 3. This motor has external rotor structure which is
rotating while the inner stator core is stationary.
Fig. 3. 2D FE model for 18-pole permanent split-capacitor SPIM with external
rotor.
Fig. 4. Magnetic field distribution across motor area during no-load test.
To carry out blocked rotor test and no-load test on the motor
model in 2D FEM, the auxiliary circuit is made open by setting
the resistance in the auxiliary circuit to a very high value so that
no current can pass through the auxiliary winding, as if it is
open-circuited. Circuit editor is used to couple the single-phase
ac voltage source and also to connect the appropriate slot
conductors into series connected main windings and auxiliary
winding respectively. During blocked rotor test, command input
(comi) file is written to set the speed for both stator and rotor to
be zero, whereas for no-load test, comi file is written to set the
stator to be stationary and the external rotor is rotated at
synchronous speed of 333rpm. For both tests, power supply 240
Vrms is used. Rotating machine analysis is conducted on the
motor model for both tests and data such as input voltage, input
current, main current, auxiliary current and average power for
the tests are computed. Having obtained these data, the motor
parameters as discussed in previous section can be estimated.

Consequently, torque-speed profile of permanent split-capacitor
SPIM can be plotted. Fig. 4 shows the magnetic field
distribution across motor area during no-load test.
V. EXPERIMENT
During the experiment, the main and auxiliary winding
resistances (R1m and R1a) are determined from the DC test.
Variable dc supply is used to vary the applied voltage to the
main winding while the auxiliary winding of the motor is left
opened. Power supply is increased slowly until the current
reaches rated current of 0.35 Arms. The voltage supplied to the
main winding when current is 0.35 Arms is recorded.
Subsequently, the same procedure is repeated with the power
supply connected to the auxiliary winding and the main winding
opened. From the DC test, resistances of main winding R1m and
auxiliary winding R1a can be calculated by applying Ohm’s Law
on the voltage and current recorded. As mentioned in the
Section II, R1m and R1a are thus easily calculated.
When blocked rotor test is conducted, the power supply of
240Vrms is applied to the main winding of the motor while the
auxiliary winding is made opened. Both the rotor and stator of
the motor are kept at zero speed (standstill). The current flows
through the main winding and the average power consumed by
the motor are recorded. Fig. 5 shows the prototype motor under
test.
Fig. 5. Prototype motor under test
When no-load test is conducted, the power supply of 240Vrms
is applied to the main winding of the motor while the auxiliary
winding is left opened. The stator is at zero speed, whereas the
rotor is run at synchronous speed of about 333rpm. The current
flows through the main winding and the average power
consumed by the motor are recorded. The parameters of the
permanent split-capacitor SPIM is estimated by following the
methods and equations discussed in Section II. Torque of the
motor is calculated at different slips and the torque-speed profile
is plotted.
VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Blocked-rotor and no-load tests were simulated in 2D FEM
rotating machine analysis. The auxiliary circuit was open-
circuited, while the main winding was excited with single-phase
ac supply. Voltage, current, input average power and power
factor were measured and recorded. The external rotor was at
rest during blocked-rotor test, and it was spinning at
 WK,QWHUQDWLRQDO&RQIHUHQFHRQ(OHFWULFDO0DFKLQHVDQG6\VWHPV,&(062FW3DWWD\D&LW\7KDLODQG
synchronous speed @333rpm for no-load test. FEM results from
both tests allow the estimation of motor parameters which are
as follows:
Resistance in Main winding, R1m = 300 Ω
Resistance in Auxiliary Winding, R1a = 320 Ω
Rotor resistance, R2’ = 290Ω
Leakage Reactance in Main winding, X1m = 170 Ω
Leakage Reactance in Auxiliary Winding, X1a = 223 Ω
Rotor Leakage Reactance, X2’ = 170 Ω
Magnetizing Reactance, Xmag = 711 Ω
Using the rotating machine analysis in 2D FEM, the permanent
split-capacitor SPIM was operated at synchronous speed
@333rpm and under load condition at 250rpm. Figs. 6 shows
the applied voltage and current waveforms when the motor was
rotated at synchronous speed @333rpm. The peak input current
is about 0.42A and quite distorted. This may be due to the
effects of slot harmonics and also unsymmetrical resultant
magnetic flux in the air gap. This distortion could also be
associated with the appearance noise in the motor. Meanwhile,
Fig. 7 displays the output torque waveform when the permanent
split-capacitor SPIM was simulated to run at load condition
@250rpm. The average torque is about 1.03Nm .
Fig. 6. Voltage and current waveforms when motor is operated at
synchronous speed @333rpm.
Fig. 7. Output torque waveform during load operation at 250rpm
After having known the motor parameters from 2D FEM
modelling, we can predict the characteristics of motor torque vs
speed under influence of different values of capacitor which is
connected in series with the auxiliary winding, as shown in Fig.
8. It can be seen that higher value of capacitor would make the
starting torque higher and the operating slip smaller at similar
rated load, which is very beneficial, but at higher cost since the
capacitor is larger. Smaller operating slip is desirable since the
motor is operating at higher efficiency. Therefore, there is a

trade-off that motor designer has to choose when selecting the
most appropriate capacitor value.
Fig. 8. FEM prediction of torque vs speed profile for 18-pole permanent
split-capacitor SPIM under influence of different capacitor values.
VII. CONCLUSION
This paper has investigated the parameters of a permanent
split-capacitor single-phase induction motor by conducting the
DC test, blocked rotor test and no-load test, which later can be
used to estimate the motor torque-vs-speed characteristics. An
exact motor model is simulated and investigated in 2D FEM
under rotating machine analysis where the blocked rotor test and
no-load test can be performed. The FEM results are obtained to
calculate motor parameters. Motor characteristics are also
computed under different capacitor values. Larger value of
capacitor would make the starting torque higher and the
operating slip smaller at similar rated load, which is very
beneficial since the motor would accelerate faster from idling
and operate at higher efficiency at rated load. But higher
capacitor’s value entails more cost and bulky capacitor size to
be installed inside the ceiling fan motor.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by Universiti Sains Malaysia under
Short-Term Grant 304/PELECT/6033011.
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