# Shaded Pole Induction Motors – Working and Construction

- Link: https://studyelectrical.com/2016/02/shaded-pole-induction-motors-working-construction.html
- Published: 2016-02-17T18:25:00+00:00
- Author: 

⌊Shaded pole induction motor Operation working construction⌉⌊Shaded pole induction
motor Operation working construction⌉
 Shaded pole motor is a split-phase type [single phase induction motor](http://www.studyelectrical.com/p/single-phase-motors.html).
The shaded pole motor is very popular for ratings below 0.05 HP (~ 40 W) because
of its extremely simple construction. 

 

[⌊Shaded pole motor⌉⌊Shaded pole motor⌉[[⌊Shaded%2Bpole%2Bmotor%2Bschematic⌉⌊Shaded%
2Bpole%2Bmotor%2Bschematic⌉[It has salient poles on the stator excited by a single-
phase supply and a squirrel cage rotor. A portion of each pole is surrounded by 
a short-circuited turn of a copper strip called shading coil. 
  A shaded pole motor
and its schematic diagram are shown in the figures above.

## Construction of Shaded Pole Induction Motor

A shaded pole motor may be of 2 poles or 4 poles. Here we are considering a 2 pole
shaded pole motor. The figures in this article also show a 2 pole motor.

![Construction of Shaded Pole Induction Motor](https://studyelectrical.com/wp-content/
uploads/2016/02/shaded-pole-induction-motor-construction.png)

Construction of Shaded Pole Induction Motor

### Stator

[⌊Shaded%2Bpole%2Bmotor%2Bconstruction⌉⌊Shaded%2Bpole%2Bmotor%2Bconstruction⌉[The stator 
has salient poles. Usually, 2 to 4 poles are used. Each of the poles has its own
exciting coil.

A part of each pole is wrapped by a copper coil. The copper coil forms a closed-
loop across each pole. This loop is known as the_** shading coil**_.

The poles are laminated. A slot is cut across the lamination of the pole. The slot
is approximately one-third distance from the edge of the pole. The short-circuited
copper coil described above is placed in this slot. So we can call this part as 
the shaded part and other parts of the pole as unshaded part.

Selecting a 2 poled stator gives a synchronous speed of 3000 rpm while a 4 poled
stator speed will be 1500rpm for 50Hz supply.

### Rotor

The rotor of shaded pole induction motors is the Squirrel Cage type rotor. The rotor
bars are provided with a 60-degree skew. This is to obtain an optimum starting torque
and for limiting the torque dip during the run-up.

 

  |  ⌊DisassembledShadedPoleMotor LG⌉ |  
 |  Parts of a Shaded Pole Induction Motor |

Airgap length between stator and rotor is of the order **0.25 to 0.5 mm**. Too short
air-gap may result in starting-torque variations due to rotor slotting.

The shaded pole induction motor has no commutator, brushes, collector rings, contactors,
capacitors or moving switch parts, so it is relatively cheaper, simpler and extremely
rugged in construction and reliable. The absence of a centrifugal switch eliminates
the possibility of motor failure due to faulty centrifugal switch mechanisms.

## Working of Shaded Pole Induction Motor

The operation of the motor can be understood by referring to the figure which shows
one pole of the motor with a shading coil. Considering a cycle of alternating current(
fig 1) applied to the stator winding we will explain the working of shaded pole 
motor.

![Working%2Bof%2BShaded%2BPole%2Binduction%2Bmotor](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ko5YLaAGH48/
VsStpqcVc6I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/AQv9GCjryJ0/s1600/Working%2Bof%2BShaded%2BPole%2Binduction%
2Bmotor.jpg)

**During the portion OA**

During the portion OA of the alternating-current cycle [Fig 1], the flux begins 
to increase and an e.m.f. is induced in the shading coil. The resulting current 
in the shading coil will be in such a direction (Lenz’s law) so as to oppose the
change in flux.

Thus the flux in the shaded portion of the pole is weakened while that in the unshaded
portion is strengthened as shown in figure 2.

**During the portion AB**

During the portion AB of the alternating-current cycle, the flux has reached the
almost maximum value and is not changing. Consequently, the flux distribution across
the pole is uniform [See Fig 3] since no current is flowing in the shading coil.

**During the portion BC**

As the flux decreases (portion BC of the alternating current cycle), the current
is induced in the shading coil so as to oppose the decrease in current. Thus the
flux in the shaded portion of the pole is strengthened while that in the unshaded
portion is weakened as shown in Fig 4.

The effect of the shading coil is to cause the field flux to shift across the pole
face from the unshaded to the shaded portion. This shifting flux is like a rotating
weak field moving in the direction from the unshaded portion to the shaded portion
of the pole.

The rotor is of the squirrel-cage type and is under the influence of this moving
field. Consequently, a small starting torque is developed. As soon as this torque
starts to revolve the rotor, additional torque is produced by [single-phase induction-motor](https://studyelectrical.com/2014/05/single-phase-induction-motor.html)
action. The motor accelerates to a speed slightly below the synchronous speed and
runs as a single-phase induction motor.

## Characteristics of Shaded Pole Motors

Some of the important characteristics of shaded pole induction motors are given 
below. The details of the characteristics of the shaded pole motor will be discussed
later. 

 1. The salient features of this motor are extremely simple construction and absence
    of [centrifugal switch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrifugal_switch).
 2. Since starting torque, efficiency and power factor are very low, these motors are
    only suitable for low power applications e.g., to drive: (a) small fans (b) toys(
    c) hair driers (d) desk fans, etc.

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