Abstract: A dynamo-electric machine such as a switched reluctance motor (10). A stator (14) has a central bore (16) and a plurality of inwardly salient poles (18A-18D) extending into the bore. A rotor (22) is mounted on a shaft (24) for rotation relative to the stator. The rotor has a plurality of outwardly salient poles (26A, 26B) extending into the bore. Stator windings (20, 21) are bifilar windings which produce an electromagnetic field when a phase is energized. The bifilar windings return energy to the voltage source when the phase is de-energized. An auxiliary winding (28) is also installed on the stator. The auxiliary winding is energized, when the machine is off, to produce a magnetic field which causes rotation of the rotor to a preferred aligned position relative to the stator poles. This facilitates subsequent starting of the machine. An electrical circuit (30) energizes the auxiliary winding, when the machine is off; and then energizes the stator windings when the machine is started.