There are two main parts of an AC motor.

The main stationary part is called the stator. It contains coils of wire that ar
e connected to an AC power source and carry AC current that causes a rotating ma
gnetic field. The coils can be positioned in groups to form 1 or more groups of
north-south pairs of magnetic poles. Every time the direction of the alternating
current changes, the north and south orientation reverses. The coils can also b
e divided into main and auxiliary coils or into 3 phase coils. The 3-phase confi
guration or a phase shifting technique are means of making the magnetic field ro
tate in a defined direction. The coils of wire are positioned in a laminated iro
n structure that directs the magnetic field through the motor's rotor.
The motor's rotor is its main rotating part. It contains coils of wire or an ele
ctrically conducting cage made of aluminum or copper. In most motors, the curren
t that flows in the rotor is caused by the magnetic field of the stator. The rot
or current causes a magnetic field that is attracted by the rotating magnetic fi
eld of the stator with a force that causes the rotor to rotate. The rotor conduc
tors are imbedded in a laminated iron structure that contains and directs the ma
gnetic field.
In addition to the main parts, there is a shaft that supports the rotor and exte
nds outside the motor to transmit torque to the load.
Two bearings support the shaft and allow it to turn freely with minimal friction
.
In all but the smallest motors, there is either a cooling fan mounted to one end
of the shaft or some small fan blades on the ends of the rotor. They move air o
ver or through the motor to keep the motor from getting too hot.
The motor housing consists of a tube that contains and supports the stator and t
wo end brackets or end bells that support the rotor bearings. On large totally e
nclosed motors, the housing may have cooling fins.
Larger motors may have a terminal box that contains the terminals that connect t
he external power wires to the internal motor coils.
There are provisions for mounting the motor. There may be feet attached to the h
ousing, threaded holes in the end of the motor or holes in a circular flange at
the end of the motor.
Single phase motors may have a phase shifting capacitor enclosed in a housing th
at looks like a bump on the side of the motor. On the end of the rotor, there is
often a centrifugal switch that disconnects the capacitor when the motor reache
s full speed upon starting. Another phase shifting device that might be found in
a single phase motor is a shading coil, a copper ring that is part of the stato
r.