poles of motor are the - north and south magnetic poles. These constitute of a specific no. of turns of the windings(motor conductors). When the phases of the motor are energised magnetic flux generates between the N-S pole pairs. No. of these poles is determined while developing the winding diagram of the motor, which in turn depends on the Amp, Volt, Watt, RPM, P.F and V.R ratings. Electrical AC current is generated in 3 phases- 0degree,120degree & 240degree with each phase carried by a separate conducting line or wire or conductor tagged as R,Y & B, respectively. A circuit could be using current in all the 3 phases or 2 or 1 as per requirement of power. in 3 phase motors the windings constitute of all the 3 phases.

cadet engineer: using 60 HZ reference, 2 pole runs 3600 RPM a 4 pole 1800 RPM a 6 pole runs 1200 RPM, a 8 pole 900 RPM, 50 HZ ref 2 pole runs 3000 RPM, a 2 pole 1500 RPM & so on, i did not take into account slip, that is 3600 is usually 3450 RPM. perry