Difference Between Single Phase & Three Phase Induction Motor
Main Difference between Single Phase and Three Phase Induction Motor
The Induction motor is a type of AC motor that works on the principle of electromagnetic induction between the stator and rotor. The stator is the stationary part of the motor and the rotor is the rotary part. The Induction motor is also known as asynchronous motor because its rotor rotates at a speed less than the theoretical synchronous speed of the motor.
Induction motors can be designed to operate either on single phase or three phase power supply (refer to articles “differences between single phase and three phase power supply” for further information).
The rotor of induction motor rotates due to the rotational magnetic field RMF generated by the stator windings surrounding it. The single phase supply can’t generate RMF because the windings carry the same current that various at the same time.
Therefore, it requires extra starting mechanism. While three phase supply can easily generate RMF because the windings carry 3 same frequency current having phase difference that generates a smooth RMF. So we can say that the major difference is that single phase induction motors are not self-starting while the three phase induction motor are self-start. You may know more about the basic information about AC and DC Current and Voltage in the previous post.
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- Difference Between Single Phase and Three Phase Power Supply
- Advantages of Three Phase System Over Single Phase System
Single Phase Induction Motor
Single phase induction motor is a type of asynchronous AC motor that runs on single phase power supply. It is low power motor usually used in home and offices where single phase power is supplied from the utility poles.
They are not self-starting motor which is why it needs a starting mechanism such as a capacitor starting technique. Since single phase AC can’t generate RMF, it utilizes a capacitor to generate a 90° phase shift in the auxiliary winding to generate RMF.
Such motor is called capacitor starting induction. Few other types of motor based on their starting mechanism are split phase induction motor, capacitor start capacitor run induction motor, shaded pole induction motor etc.
The RMF generated by single phase is not very smooth because it is generated using a capacitor using auxiliary winding at 90°. The motor is subjected to vibrations and generates noise during its operation. It also wears out its lifespan.
The single phase supply is less reliable and more expensive than a three phase supply. Its power supply is affected by a fault in the line. The copper loss is greater for the same rated current since the current flows through only one winding.
This is why their efficiency is lower than three phase motors. It also ends up increasing the size of the motor to tolerate the high current in the windings. It is relatively larger in size than three phase motor having same power ratings.
Since the single phase AC supply is easily available in houses and offices and the mechanical load required to drive is very small, the single phase induction motor is a better choice. It requires two conductors instead or 3 or 4 conductors which reduces the cable cost. Therefore, the single phase motors are economical for driving small loads.
The design and construction is very simple, it use only two windings i.e. main winding and auxiliary winding.
For more details, visit the previous post about Single-Phase Induction Motor – Construction, Working, Types & Applications.
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Three Phase Induction Motor
Three phase induction motor is a type of AC asynchronous motor that runs on three phase power supply. it can either run in star configuration or delta configuration depending on the requirement. It is a heavy power rated motors only used in industries
It can easily generate RMF in the stator windings, thanks to the three alternating currents flowing in the windings that are 120° apart. It allows a smoothly rotating magnetic field far better the capacitor start single phase motor.
The RMF generated by three phase is very smooth which allows very smooth operation of the motor without any vibration and noises.
Three phase supply is very reliable and very economical as compared to single phase. The power supply is not affected by a fault in one line. The stators windings share the current to reduce the cupper losses in the more. Thus they are more efficient.
These motors are usually used for driving very heavy mechanical loads in industries since they offer best efficiency and performance at higher power ratings. The motor losses are far more less than using a single phase motor having same ratings. Thus it ends up being cheaper than single phase motor.
The design construction is relatively complex and causes to increases the manufacturing cost of the motor. it is why they are relatively quite expensive.
For more details, visit the previous post about Three-Phase Induction Motor – Construction, Working, Types & Applications.
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Key Differences between Single Phase & Three Phase Induction Motor
The following table shows the compassion between three phase and single phase induction motors.
| Single Phase Induction Motor | Three Phase Induction Motor |
| The AC asynchronous motor that runs on single phase AC power supply. | AC asynchronous motor that runs on three phase AC power supply. |
| It has 2 terminals thus it requires only two wires to power it up. | It has 3 terminals and requires three or four (including neutral) wires to operate. |
| It is not a self-start motor. | It is a self-start motor. |
| It requires extra starting mechanism. | It does not require external starting mechanism. |
| The direction control is a little difficult and it is changed by swapping the polarity of starter winding. | The direction control is simple and it is done by swapping any two input phases. |
| Their types include; Spilt phase, shaded pole, capacitor start, capacitor start capacitor run induction motor etc. | Their types are; squirrel cage induction motor and wound type induction motor. |
| There are two slips i.e. forward and backward slip. | It has only forward slip. |
| It generates mechanical noise and vibration. | It operates smoothly with less noise. |
| The copper losses are high due to single winding carrying all the current. | The copper loses are low because windings share the current. |
| Its efficiency is lower. | It has high efficiency. |
| They are made for low power rating usually below 5kW. | They are made with power rating above 5kW. |
| It offers very limited starting torque. | It offers very high starting torque. |
| Its size is large considering same ratings. | Its size is smaller. |
| Its design is simple and easier to construct | It design is complex. |
| Its maintenance is very easy. | Its maintenance is relatively difficult. |
| It is cheaper. | It is expensive. |
| It is more reliable (less cost and easier to repair). | It is less reliable (high cost and expensive maintenance). |
| It is used in household and offices and other driving other small loads in industries such as fans, water pumps, drills etc. | It is used for driving heavy mechanical loads in industries. |
We can conclude that the single phase motor are more reliable and a better choice for driving small loads such as in appliances in homes and offices. While the three phase motors offer best performance for driving heavy loads such as in industries. To know more about the different types of motors, refer to the previous posts about BLDC (Brushless DC) motor, stepper motors and servo motors.
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