This paper presents a detailed comparative study of two starting and running methods for a single-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor, equipped with a squirrel-cage rotor. The analysis of the motor performance is realized for a pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter fed motor and for a capacitor-start, capacitor-run motor. The developed approach may be extended to any 1-phase ac motor-induction, synchronous reluctance or synchronous permanent magnet.