ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the way most AC motors work, the difference between various AC motors, and what a rotating magnetic field is. It explores the difference between an AC motor and a DC motor, shows that AC motors and AC generators have the same structure, and explains synchronous speed of an AC machine and various standard synchronous speeds. The chapter details synchronous speeds with frequency, power and other relationships for AC motors, and the difference between single- and three-phase motors. It also explores current for motors in order to select fuses and relationships for power correction to motors, and suggests if a motor and a generator are compatible. A three-phase synchronous generator is the standard type for conventional power generation at a commercial level. The number of poles in a generator determines its structure and diameter size owing to the fact that all the poles must be accommodated around the periphery of the generator stator.
