Abstract: An alternating current electrical machine construction in which a primary winding is modified to create multiple transient electromagnetic conditions for example by having at least two distinct values of pole pitch. In a linear induction motor, a first pole-pitch portion (88, 90 and 92) is followed by a second portion (82, 84 and 86) of shorter pole-pitch. When an inductively coupled solid reaction rail passes from first to second reaction rail currents "memorized" from the first, propulsion, section cause current in the second, recovery section. This current can be of unity or leading power factor. Appropriate winding design permits the operation of the machine using an inverter (LCIA) without making provision for external reactive power supply. Part of the machine winding, the recovery section, functions as an asynchronous condenser (SAC) to compensate the reactive power components due to magnetic leakage flux.