Single phase motors vs multiphase vibration

The capacitor is connected between 2 of the 3 motor leads, and these connections stay connected that way. One of the AC line connections is made to either of the same 2 connections, one for CW, or the other for CCW rotation. This leaves one of the capacitor/stator connections floating (not connected to the AC line connections, which would be L1-L2 for 240VAC or L-N for

WB ..............

Continuation of above post - not strictly correct - that'd be a capacitor run single phase motor. See Don Foreman and other's posts above.

Bob, what Eric described is an AC PC or 2-phase induction motor.

I don't believe there are any other motor types that have 2 identical windings, connected, with an attached (external) capacitor, and reversed by moving the AC line connection from one capacitor/winding connection to the other capacitor/winding connection.

If there are, let us know

WB ...............

Not sure about your definition of AC PC motor ? What does PC mean ? I believe you are "seeing" a capacitor start, single-phase induction motor; maybe even a capacitor-run single-phase induction motor. There would be no need for a capacitor in a real (very old fashioned) 2-phase motor. As someone else mentioned, genuine 2-phase motors are rare, nowadays.

Bob Swinney

Bob, you and I seem to have been referring to two different types of motors, but both of them could/would be called 2-phase motors. I'm not at all familiar with 2-phase AC power available from a utility company. I've read that it has existed, and may still be available in some locations.

I didn't mean to imply that their motors required a 2-phase power source to operate them. In the two instances of both Eric and Don's motor descriptions, the motor types are AC Permanent Capacitor induction motors that operate as 2-phase motors, with the capacitor providing/creating the phase shift. These presently produced (not antique) types of motors operate on single phase AC, and don't require a 2-phase AC supply for operation. There are old versions of the PC motors around.. the design isn't new, but they're still being manufactured for many uses.

By design, the capacitor used with the single phase PC motor creates the "second phase", much in the same way that capacitors permit a 3-phase motor to be operated with single phase AC.

The characteristics of the single phase PC motors are that there are no separate start and run windings, and no centrifugal switch. Additionally, they have 2 identical windings connected together to form 3 stator connections. The capacitor is connected to 2 specific leads, and the single phase is connected to 2 of the 3 leads. These motors are typically labeled as single phase induction motors, and nearly always have a capacitor value (uF) shown on the label or plate. The capacitor is always an externally connected component AFAIK, generally not mounted under a cover attached to the motor case (like split-phase or capacitor run motors are). The capacitor value is usually in the range of 2 to 30uF for small fractional HP motors up to about 1/8 HP and has a voltage rating of 250VAC or higher. Numerous manufacturers rate and/or label their small motors in watts instead of HP, and indicate if the motor is intended for use with 50 or 60Hz.

WB ...............

Very Well, Wild Bill. Your description of a capacitor start/capacitor run motor is well taken. However it is incorrect to call a motor a "2-phase motor" unless it is designed to run on 2-phase power. I think you are describing an ordinary, capacitor run, single-phase induction motor that is designed to run on single-phase power only.

Bob, how would I identify a motor that only runs on 2-phase power by the internal characteristics, in case I would happen to encounter one?

I used to have a multi-volume set of books from the early 1900s on electrical engineering, but don't have them now. That was a fascinating resource, if anyone would happen to encounter something like that at a yard sale or flea market.

Perhaps it would be more technically accurate for me to stop referring to PC motors as 2-phase motors, but instead say that they "operate as a 2-phase motor does". The stator windings of permanent capacitor motors are both considered to be run windings. As there is no start winding (and no combination of start/run windings with a centrifugal switch), these motors have low starting torque. They are indeed single-phase only motors, as you stated.

The capacitor start/capacitor run motors that I'm familiar with are motors with 2 separate capacitors, separate start/run windings, and a centrifugal switch. These types are designed for high starting torque and heavy duty use (compressor-rated duty, for example). They have a large value capacitor for starting, and a low value capacitor for run, typically secured to the outside of the motor case under covers. While the 2 capacitor CS/CR motor design also incorporates 2 identical stator windings, it differs from the PC motor in that the PC motor has only one capacitor, no start winding and no centrifugal switch.

WB .............

I have to side with bill, Technically it is a two phase motor. It is designed to run on two phase power, with the capacitor providing the 2 phase.

To say you are correct, would make a (3 ph) motor run off of a static phase converter also a single phase motor. jk

WB said: "> Perhaps it would be more technically accurate for me to stop referring to PC

Bill, that would be absolutely correct if PC motors were not referred to as

Bob Swinney