Abstract: The present invention provides a method for starting motors by harmonics for synchronous motors, wound-rotor and cage-rotor asynchronous motors started thereby. During the starting period, according to the present invention, the connection of the stator winding is changed so as to create some very strong harmonic fields. The harmonic fields are associated with the rotor windings and are used to improve the starting performance of the motor. The three motors all have large starting torque, small starting current and can be started by direct-on-line. The wound-rotor asynchronous motor has no brushes or, slip rings on the rotor and there is no electric contact thereby increasing the reliablity of starting and running. The running efficiency is superior to the cage-rotor asynchronous motor.