In a single-phase induction motor, the start winding and run winding serve different purposes and are designed to facilitate the motor's initial startup and continuous running. Single-phase induction motors are commonly used in various applications, such as fans, pumps, compressors, and small appliances.
Start Winding:
The start winding, also known as the auxiliary winding or the starting winding, is responsible for providing the initial torque required to start the motor. In a single-phase motor, the stator windings create a rotating magnetic field, but due to the nature of single-phase AC power supply, this field remains nearly stationary. As a result, single-phase induction motors struggle to start on their own, as they don't have the rotating magnetic field required for self-starting.
To overcome this limitation, the start winding is positioned at a specific angle relative to the main (run) winding. This displacement generates a phase difference between the currents in the two windings, which creates a rotating magnetic field that helps initiate the motor's rotation. The start winding is usually wound with finer wire and has more turns than the run winding, optimizing it for higher starting torque but lower efficiency compared to the run winding.
Run Winding:
The run winding, also referred to as the main winding, is responsible for providing the continuous torque necessary to keep the motor running once it has started. This winding is designed to have fewer turns of larger wire, which allows for higher efficiency and better performance under steady-state operating conditions. The run winding is positioned at an angle to the stator poles, similar to the start winding, but the phase difference between the currents in the two windings is smaller.
During normal operation, the motor runs using the rotating magnetic field generated by the run winding, which interacts with the stator's magnetic field and produces the required torque to keep the motor turning.
In summary, the start winding is responsible for providing the initial push needed to start the single-phase induction motor by creating a rotating magnetic field, while the run winding is responsible for generating the continuous torque required for ongoing motor operation. These two windings work in conjunction to enable the motor to start and run effectively on a single-phase AC power supply.