where are single phase AC motors used?

Anything in the house - so a food mixer or blender is a good example of an application.

In industry, air conditioning fans in an office are common examples

You will see single phase AC induction motors used mainly in the residential environment where 3-phase power is not available or is too expensive. Uses of such motors are: air compressors, log splitters, press, refrigerators, air conditioner, single phase industrial machines, pressure washer, etc....

You can purchase single phase motors up to 15 horsepower. Also, AC motors are more powerful than combustion engines, but you do not see many high horsepower single phase AC induction motors used in the home because the 230 volt circuit is not commonly used in the home except for the stove, hot water heater, or air conditioner. The motors are mostly limited to 115 volt circuit, which limits horsepower to about two. So combustion engines are used more often for the big jobs, where as the small jobs are left to the AC motors.

Basically there are two types of single phase motor, used on AC supplies.

1 Squirrel cage induction,

2 Wound rotor commutator.

There are various types of each.

1 is AC only

2 is a DC motor, commonly known as an universal motor. This can run on AC or DC.

Most AC household appliances use single phase motors, freezers, fridges, vacuum cleaners, tumble dryers, hair dryers etc.

2 has the advantage it can be speed controlled and can be reversible whereas 1 is constant speed.

In non-domestic applications it would be used where low power is required.

Reasons I imagine are cost.

ac motor sine wave a c 2 phase motors are used in tumble driers washing machines dish washers hair driers paint strippers and any household appliance that requires one because they do not require any horse power or significant power to use 3 phase requires 300v to 415v ac

and what you are describing is actually 2 phase a single phase motor is dc

Mainly in house hold applications like Fans, Mixer, Grinder, drilling machine, water pump etc.

It is used mainly due to single phase used for house connections and low power requirement.