Vincoy, John Lloyd A.

EE-330/AC-DC Machineries
BSME 3

The three (3) Types and individual operating characteristics of Capacitor Motors.
Two basic types are used in electric motor:

1) Run capacitors are rated in a range of 3–70 microfarad (uF). Run capacitors are also
rated by voltage classification. The voltage classifications are 370V and 440V. Capacitors with
ratings above 70 microfarads (uF) are starting capacitors. Run capacitors are designed for
continuous duty, and are energized the entire time the motor is running. Single phase electric
motors need a capacitor to energize a second phase winding. This is why sizing is so critical. If
the wrong run capacitor is installed, the motor will not have an even magnetic field. This will
cause the rotor to hesitate at those spots that are uneven. This hesitation will cause the motor to
become noisy, increase energy consumption, cause performance to drop, and cause the motor to
overheat.

2) Starting capacitors are housed in a black plastic case and have uF range as opposed to a
specific uF rating on run capacitors. Start capacitors (ratings of 70 microfarad or higher) have
three voltage classifications: 125V, 250V, and 330V. Examples would be a 35 uF at 370V run
capacitor and an 88–108 uF at 250V start capacitor. Start capacitors increase motor starting
torque and allow a motor to be cycled on and off rapidly. Start capacitors are designed for
momentary use. Start capacitors stay energized long enough to rapidly bring the motor to 3/4 of
full speed and are then taken out of the circuit.

3) Permanent – Split Capacitor (PSC) Motor

is different from the stator windings of the resistance-start induction-run or capacitor-start
induction-run motors. The PSC motor stator winding still contains a run and start winding, but
the start winding will generally have the same size wire and just as many turns as the run
winding.

Functions and composition of the Main parts of Capacitor Motors.

How Split Phase Motors Operate
 ● To start a split phase motor the start and the run windings has to be connected
in parallel
● At 75% full speed the centrifugal switch opens, disconnecting the start
winding.
● Since the start winding is disconnected from the circuit, the motor is operating
through the run winding.
● To remove power from a split phase motor at 40% full load speed the
centrifugal switch closes. Powering off the motor.

Capacitor Motors - are a single-phase Induction Motor that employs a capacitor in

the auxiliary winding circuit to produce a greater phase difference between the current in
the main and the auxiliary windings.

The centrifugal switch is a normally close control device that is wired into the start
winding. The purpose of this configuration is that the motor start winding would be taken out the
circuit once the motor reaches 75 to 80% of its rated speed. Even though it is considered to be a
reliable motor this centrifugal switch is a moving part that sometimes fails to reengage when the
motor stops spinning.

Schematic Diagrams of each type of Capacitor Motors.

A. Capacitor – Start Motor

B. Two – Value Capacitor Motor

C. Permanent – Split Capacitor (PSC) Motor

 Formulas for finding Capacitor Values of Capacitor Motors.

The single-phase capacitance C(µF) in microfarad is equal to 1000 times the

product of power P(W) in watts and efficiency η divided by the product of voltage
V(V) in volts square and the frequency F(Hz). The formula for calculating
capacitor value is

C(µF) = (P(W) x η x 1000) / (V(V) x V(V) x f)

The voltage rating of the capacitor is equal to the product of the voltage measured
at both ends of the main winding in volts and the root of one plus turns ratio n
square.

V(C) = Vp √(1+n2)

n is equal to the ratio between the main/auxiliary winding turns. The above
formula is used to find the approximate voltage across the capacitor.

5. Troubleshooting and Repair of Capacitor Motors.

A bad motor capacitor may cause starting problems or could shut off the motor while running.
Motor capacitors store electrical energy for the motor to use. The higher the capacitance of the
capacitor the more energy it can store. A damaged or burnt out capacitor may hold only a
fraction of the energy needed for the motor if its capacitance is low. A capacitor consists of
two metal, parallel plates encased within a plastic exterior. Capacitance is measured in
microfarads.

Turn off the power to the motor then disconnect it from the power source. Inspect the
motor capacitor. If it is not attached to the motor at two points it needs to be replaced.
Also, if the capacitor is visibly cracked it should be replaced.

Attach the red (positive) alligator clip of the multimeter to the positive lead of the
motor capacitor.

Attach the black (negative) alligator clip of the multimeter to the negative lead of the
motor capacitor.

Turn the dial on the multimeter to the microfarad capacitance setting. This is labeled by
the lowercase Greek letter "µ" — pronounced as "mu" — followed by the letter "f." If
you have an auto-ranging multimeter it will do this step for you automatically. Just set
the multimeter on capacitance in that case labeled "f" for farad.

Turn on the digital multimeter. The reading on the screen is the capacitance of the
capacitor in microfarads. If this is not the value written on the motor capacitor's case it
requires replacement.