In electromagnetism, the south pole is the face of a permanent magnet or electromagnet where the magnetic field lines converge and re-enter the core. By convention, it is attracted to the north pole of another magnet and repels other south poles. In rotating machines, alternating north and south poles are arranged around the stator to create a rotating magnetic field.
Heard on the job
Make sure you orient the permanent magnets correctly, or you'll end up with two south poles facing each other in the rotor assembly.