Introduction to Electric Motors

Electric Motors were invented by a British physicist and chemist Michael Faraday. In 1821 Michael Faraday invented the first electric motor, the machine then worked using the force of magnetism. Electric Motor is a device that uses electrical energy to produce mechanical energy. This application is carried within a motor by the interaction of magnetic fields and current carrying conductors. An Electric Motor is all about magnets and magnetism, which uses magnets to create motion. Electric motors, both AC and DC motors, come in many shapes and sizes. Some are standardized electric motors for general-purpose applications. The fundamental driving force behind all electric motors, whether AC or DC, is magnetism. 
AC motors comes in two flavors; the Single Phase & Three Phase. 

Single-Phase AC electric motors: The most common single-phase motor is the shaded-pole synchronous motor, which is most commonly used in devices requiring lower torque such as electric fans, microwave ovens and other small household appliances.

Three-Phase AC electric motors: These motors are used for higher applications. This uses the phase differences between the three phases of the polyphase electrical supply to create a rotating electromagnetic field in the motor. Often, the rotor consists of a number of copper conductors embedded in steel. This type of motor is also known as Induction Motors.