Electric motor puzzle

Jan 22, 2005 1 Replies

I recently had a problem with my compressor starting (it wasn't getting up to full speed before the centrifugal switch opened). The caps tested OK and it would start fine if the tube between the pump and tank was disconnected. So as a work-around I plumbed a solenoid valve into the line between the pump and tank and connected it to the centrifugal switch. The idea was that the valve would be opened when the motor started and would stay open until the motor was up to speed and the cent. switch opened. This would unload the motor until it was up to speed.



Well, I was surprised and puzzled by what happened. Do you know?



See my reply for the answer.



The valve did open when the motor started, but it STAYED open even after the motor was up to speed! Yes, the switch was open. WTF??!!

When I drew a schematic to visualize the situation, the problem was obvious. The start winding was disconnected from the line but still connected to the solenoid. It was acting like the secondary of a transformer and generating enough voltage to hold the solenoid open!

If anybody figured this out without having experienced it, I am impressed! It's something that I never would have anticipated.

Bob

BTW - "fixed" this problem with a relay that separated the winding and the solenoid, but the motor still didn't start (reliably)! So I connected it to 220 and it seems fine.

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