What type of motor is typically referred to when discussing split-phase motors?

When discussing split-phase motors, the term that is most commonly associated is AC Motor. Split-phase motors are a type of single-phase AC motor characterized by their ability to produce two separate phase outputs from a single phase power source. This design allows the motor to start and run efficiently.

The split-phase configuration enables better starting torque compared to fixed-speed AC motors by creating a phase difference between two windings. This is crucial for applications requiring starting under load, such as fans, pumps, and small machinery. By utilizing alternating current, split-phase motors can easily achieve the desired operational characteristics for such tasks.

In contrast, the other options represent different categories of motors. A universal motor is able to operate on both AC and DC power but is not typically classified as a split-phase design. Hybrid motors, which combine characteristics from both AC and DC motors, and DC motors, which exclusively operate on direct current, do not share the same operational principles as split-phase motors and are therefore not applicable in this context.