American International University- Bangladesh

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

EEE 2208: Electrical Machines 2 Laboratory

Title: The split-phase induction motor – part 1

Introduction:
The purpose of this lab is to get familiar with a split-phase induction motor, its principles and
operation. The following are the objectives for this experiment:
1. To examine the construction of a split-phase motor.
2. To measure the resistance of its winding.

Theory and Methodology:

Some means must be provided for getting two phases from the standard single-phase power
supplied to homes if we need to start and run an AC motor. The process of deriving two phases
from one is known as phase-splitting and is usually built into the stator circuit of the AC motor. 2-
phase power creates the rotating magnetic field.

One method is a special auxiliary winding built into the stator called the start (auxiliary) winding
to differentiate it from the actual run (main) winding of the stator. In split-phase AC motors, the
start winding is used only for starting the motor and has a high resistance and low inductive
reactance. The run winding has low resistance and high reactance. When power is first applied,
both windings are energized. Because of their different inductive reactances, the run winding
current lags the start winding current, creating a phase difference between the two. Ideally, the
phase difference should be 90 degrees; but in practical motors, it is much less. Nevertheless, the
windings develop fields that are out of phase, which creates a rotating magnetic field in the stator.
This applies torque to the rotor, starting the motor.

When the motor gets up to operating speed, the rotor is able to follow the alternations of the
magnetic field created by the run winding without the field of the start winding. The start winding
is then switched out of the circuit by a mechanical device called a centrifugal switch, because it
is operated by the centrifugal force created by the rotor revolutions. The direction of a split-phase
rotating field can be reversed by reversing the connections to the start winding. This changes the
direction of the initial phase shift, creating a -magnetic field rotating in the opposite direction.
The motor speed depends essentially upon the AC power line frequency and the number of poles
on the stator.
Prelab Homework:
Answer to this question:
How often is a split phase induction motor used and where?
Apparatus:
Description Model
Capacitor-start motor 8251
Dc voltmeter/ammeter 8412
Power supply 8821

Connection leads 8941

Timing belt 8942

Analog multimeter 8946
Precautions:
Warning: high voltage are present in this laboratory experiment! Do not make any
connections with the power on! The power should be turned off after completing each
individual measurement!

Experimental Procedure:
1. Examine the construction of the capacitor-start motor, paying particular attention
to the motor, centrifugal switch, connection terminals and the wiring.

The capacitor, mounted in the rear of the module, is used only when the module is
connected as a capacitor-start motor.

2. Viewing the motor from the front of the module:

a. The main stator winding is composed of many turns of large diameter wire.
Identify the main winding.
b. The auxiliary stator winding, wound inside the main stator winding, is
composed of fewer turns of smaller diameter wire. Identify the auxiliary
winding.
c. What is the spatial relationship between the main winding and the auxiliary
winding?

Ans: Ans: Auxiliary has thinner winding, fewer turns, less diameter, and higher
resistance. an auxiliary winding connected in parallel with the main winding and
the auxiliary winding is spatially displaced at 90 degrees to the main winding.
d. How many main stator poles are there?
Ans: 4
e. How many auxiliary poles are there?
Ans: 4
 a. This is a 8 pole motor.
b. Note that there are a number of slots distributed in each pole.
c. Note the construction of the rotor.
d. Note the rotor aluminum end ring.
e. Note that the fan is integrally cast with the end ring.
f. Note the air gap separating the rotor and the stator.
g. Estimate the air gap distance in millimeters.

3. Viewing the motor from the rear of the module:

a. Identify the centrifugal switch mechanism mounted on the shaft.

b. Pull outward on the centrifugal weights and note the action of the insulated
sleeve.
c. Note that the stationary electrical weights and note the action of the
insulated sleeve.
d. If the coiled springs on the centrifugal switch were stiffer, would the
electrical contacts open at a lower or higher shaft speed?
Ans: Electrical contacts open at a higher shaft speed.

4. Viewing the front panel of the module:

a. The main winding (many turns of heavy wire) is connected to terminals

and .
b. The auxiliary winding (fewer turns of heavy wire) is connected to
terminals and .
c. The centrifugal switch contacts are connected to terminals and .
d. The capacitor (not used in the split-phase motor wiring) is connected to
terminals 4 and 5 .
e. Note that the current rating for the main winding is marked 2-5 while the
auxiliary winding is marked intermittent.

5. Using your analog multimeter measure and record the resistance of the

Main winding 11.5Ω

Aux. winding 25.25 Ω
6. Using your power supply, DC Voltmeter/Ammeter and Capacitor-Start Motor,
connect the circuit shown in figure 5-1.

CAPACITOR-
START
MOTOR
0-1,5A dc
_
A

10 V dc 0-40
V dc
_

Fig:Fig 5-81- 1

7. Turn on the power supply and adjust for exactly 10v dc as indicated by the
voltmeter across the main winding (terminals 1 and 2).

I main winding =0.9 A dc. R main winding = 11.5Ω.

8. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply. Connect the circuit shown
in figure 5-2.

9. Turn on the power supply and adjust for exactly 10V dc as indicated by the
voltmeter across the auxiliary winding (terminals 3 and 4).

I aux winding =0.4

R aux winding
=25.25 Ω (calculated value)
 CAPACITOR-
START
MOTOR

0-1,5A dc
_
A

10 V dc 0-40
V dc
_

Fig:Fig 5-28 -2

10. 10.
a. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.

b. Compare the results of Procedure 5 with the results of Procedures 7 and 9.

By comparison the above procedure we saw that the main winding has low
resistance and the auxiliary winding has high resistance.

c. Note that although the main winding and many more turns of wire than the auxiliary winding,
its resistance is lower. Explain.

Ans: Although the main winding had many more turns of wire, the auxiliary winding has less diameter
than the main winding. Resistance is inversely proportional to the diameter of the wire, so the main
winding has lower resistance.

Questions for Report Writing:

1. If a split-phase motor has two poles on the main winding, how many poles are needed for
the auxiliary winding?
Ans: Equal number of poles, 2 poles.
2. How many poles are there respectively on the running and the starting winding of an 8 pole
split-phase motor?
Ans: 32 poles.
 1. Why is an auxiliary winding necessary?

Ans: The torque required to start the motor is produced by an auxiliary winding, sometimes referred to as a
starter winding. This type of motor's winding modifies the relationship between current and voltage to
produce a revolving magnetic field.

2. auxiliary winding be different from the main winding in a split-phase motor?

Ans: To set it apart from the main winding and create a distinct current path. The primary (running) winding of
a capacitor-start/run single-phase induction motor provides the main field, while the auxiliary winding
provides the capacitive branch. A capacitor-start motor's operating winding is called the main winding, and the
starting winding is called the auxiliary winding

1. What would happen if the starting and running windings were identical?

Ans: There will be no angular displacement between the two windings and the machine will not run.

References:

[1] B.L.Theraja, A.K.Theraja,: A textbook of Electrical Technology, Volume- II, S. Chand

& company Ltd.
[2] Lab volt lab manual.
© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 7