The paper presents a new type of electronically-switched doubly-salient permanent-magnet (DSPM) small motor for household appliances. Its basic structure is similar to that of a switched reluctance motor, except for the presence of high-energy PMs inside the rotor poles. Electromagnetic torque is thereby developed in much the same way as in PM brushless DC motors but with an important cogging torque component required for holding the rotor stationary when the power supply is switched off. A prototype of the new DSPM small motor is designed and nonlinear finite-element analysis made to investigate its static characteristics