The characteristics of the repulsion-induction type of motor

The study of single-phase induction motors is of importance to the electrical engineer because of their application to the problem of alternating current traction. The application of alternating current power to traction has so many obvious advantages, both practical and economical, that its use for that purpose seems natural and desirable. The difficulty has been to obtain a satisfactory single-phase motor that would fulfil all the requirements of a traction motor. Polyphase motors are not suitable for traction owing to the complexity introduced into overhead track equipment. Consequently we may say that the whole question of alternating current traction is bound up with the development of the single-phase motor. For the vast majority of industrial requirements the single-phase motor can never be a serious competitor to the polyphase machine with its simplicity, efficiency and excellent operating characteristics.