What characterizes a split phase motor?

A split phase motor is characterized by having a single phase AC power supply, and it includes both a start winding and a run winding. This design allows the motor to create a phase shift between the start and run windings, facilitating the establishment of a rotating magnetic field. This magnetic field is crucial for initiating the motor's operation and enabling it to begin turning.

The structure of the split phase motor allows it to start under a lower load and transition to its running condition once it is up to speed. In many cases, the start winding is designed to be disconnected from the circuit after the motor achieves a certain speed, ensuring that the motor operates efficiently.

In contrast, a motor powered by three-phase AC current is typically a different type of motor altogether, known as a three-phase motor, which does not require a start winding because it already has a rotating magnetic field. The use of connected capacitors is more characteristic of capacitor-start motors and not split phase motors specifically. As for operating only at a fixed speed, while split phase motors do have a nominal speed determined by their design, they are not restricted to fixed-speed operations like other types of motors may be; they can be influenced by load conditions and variable speed drives in certain applications.