Split Phase Motor

There are various types of self-starting motors, known as split phase motors. Such motors have a starting winding displaced 90 electrical degrees from the main or running winding. In some types, the starting winding has a fairly high resistance, which causes the current in this winding to be out of phase with the current in the running winding. This condition produces, in effect, a rotating field and the rotor revolves. A centrifugal switch disconnects the starting winding automatically, after the rotor has attained approximately 25 percent of its rated speed.

Capacitor Start Motor

With the development of high capacity electrolytic capacitors, a variation of the split phase motor, known as the capacitor start motor, has been made. Nearly all fractional horsepower motors in use today on refrigerators and other similar appliances are of this type. [Figure 10-296] In this adaptation, the starting winding and running winding have the same size and resistance value. The phase shift between currents of the two windings is obtained by using capacitors connected in series with the starting winding.

Capacitor start motors have a starting torque comparable to their torque at rated speed and can be used in applications where the initial load is heavy. Again, a centrifugal switch is required for disconnecting the starting winding when the rotor speed is approximately 25 percent of the rated speed.

Although some single phase induction motors are rated as high as 2 horsepower (hp), the major field of application is 1 hp, or less, at a voltage rating of 115 volts for the smaller sizes and 110 to 220 volts for one-fourth hp and up. For even larger power ratings, polyphase motors generally are used, since they have excellent starting torque characteristics.

Direction of Rotation of Induction Motors

The direction of rotation of a three phase induction motor can be changed by simply reversing two of the leads to the motor. The same effect can be obtained in a two phase motor by reversing connections to one phase. In a single phase motor, reversing connections to the starting winding will reverse the direction of rotation.

Most single phase motors designed for general application have provision for readily reversing connections to the starting winding. Nothing can be done to a shaded pole motor to reverse the direction of rotation because the direction is determined by the physical location of the copper shading ring. If, after starting, one connection to a three phase motor is broken, the motor will continue to run but will deliver only one-third the rated power. Also, a two phase motor will run at one-half its rated power if one phase is disconnected. Neither motor will start under these abnormal conditions.

 
 
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