For lightning and general purposes in homes, offices, shops, small factories single phase system is widely used as compared to three phase system as the single phase system is more economical and the power requirement in most of the houses, shops, offices are small, which can be easily met by single phase system. The single phase motors are simple in construction, cheap in cost, reliable and easy to repair and maintain. Due to all these advantages the single phase motor finds its application in vacuum cleaner, fans, washing machine, centrifugal pump, blowers, washing machine, small toys etc.
The single phase ac motors are further classified as:
Single phase induction motors or asynchronous motors.