The minimum and maximum excitation capacitance required for a self excited single phase induction generator using a three phase machine has been determined by an eigenvalue and eigenvalue sensitivity approach. It is observed that the required minimum capacitance reduces with the increase in load. Traditionally, the minimum and maximum capacitances required for a self excited induction generator (SEIG) were solved by a high order non-linear polynomial equation based on a per phase equivalent circuit model. The advantage of this proposed method is its simplicity since the complicated solution procedure of the high order polynomial is avoided. The generator consists of a three phase star connected induction machine with three capacitors connected in series and parallel with a single phase load. The developed dynamic model of the SEIG is based on the stationary reference frame d-q axes theory, and the equations of the excitation capacitors are described by a three phase abc model assuming a constant speed prime mover. The capacitance values obtained by the proposed method have been compared with those obtained by the conventional method and verified experimentally to confirm the validity and the accuracy of the proposed method. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.