This paper investigates the effect of the statorwinding connection on the performance of a six-phase switched reluctance machine (SRM). Five winding connection types are proposed for the machine. Finite element analyses (FEAs)of flux distribution, output torque, and core losses are presented under single-phase and multiphase excitation for each connection and the results are used to compare the average torque and torque ripple ratio characteristics and to develop understanding of the respective contributions of mutual inductance in the torque development. Experimental tests on a six-phase conventional SRM verify the torque performance and mutual inductance effects of the different winding connections. An optimum winding configuration for a six-phase SRM is proposed.