3.

STARTING A PERMANENT SPLIT-CAPACITOR MOTOR

3.1 INTRODUCTION. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPERIMENT

This experiment refers to a permanent split capacitor induction motor having a cage rotor with
two stator windings. The stator windings are named main windings and auxiliary windings. This
type of motor has a capacitor (C) permanently connected in series with the auxiliary windings.
This is the main reason why this motor is called single-phase with capacitor motor. This type of
motor has not a starting switch and operates in the same way as a capacitor-start capacitor-run
induction motor. It produces a uniform torque and it is less noisy while running.

The split phase capacitor motor has a few main advantages: high efficiency, high power factor,
no centrifugal switch. The main limitation is that its starting torque is quite low, between 30 to
90% of the rated load, so it cannot be used for applications which are hard to start.
Permanent capacitor single-phase induction motors are commonly found in the drive systems
of fans, refrigerators, compressors and pumps, etc.

OBJECTIVES
By running this experiment, the students will face some main objectives:
¾¾ To understand the schematic diagram corresponding to the permanent capacitor sin-
gle-phase induction motors.
¾¾ To learn the split phase motor with capacitor wiring connections.
¾¾ To observe the motor starting and running operations.

3.2 COMPONENTS LIST

According to the formulated objectives, for running this experiment the following modules are
needed:

A. SOFTWARE

Optionally, a dedicated software can be ordered that allows the cha-

racteristic curves to be displayed.
Software (DL 10065NSW) for data acquisition from DL 10065NF.
Software (DL 10055NSW) for data acquisition from DL 10055NF.

B. HARDWARE
¾¾ DL 30130 Split phase motor
¾¾ DL 30135 Capacitor unit
¾¾ DL 30016 AC/DC Power supply
¾¾ DL 2109D10 AC/DC Voltmeter
¾¾ DL 10065NF Electric power digital measuring module, frame type
¾¾ DL 10055NF Mechanical power digital measuring unit, frame type
¾¾ DL 30300 Electromagnetic brake
¾¾ DL 2006E Load Cell 150N

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 ¾¾ DL 1013A Universal base for electrical machines
¾¾ DL 2100-2M Two-level work frame

3.3 PROCEDURE OUTLINE

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
The permanent split capacitor motor has a cage rotor and the two windings named as main
and auxiliary windings. It has only one capacitor connected in series with the starting winding.

Figure 1. Circuit diagram of permanent capacitor single-phase induction motors.

The capacitor CB is permanently connected in the circuit in both starting and running condi-
tions. Since the capacitor remains in the circuit all the times, no centrifugal switch is required.

CHARACTERISTICS CURVES
The capacitor value is selected as per the requirement of the starting torque. The starting tor-
que can be as high as 350 to 400 % of the full load torque. The torque-speed characteristic is
as shown in figure 2.

Figure 2. The torque/speed curve of a permanent capacitor motor.

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SETUP AND CONNECTION DIAGRAM
Figure 3 shows the wiring recommendations for communication and power cables connection.
Arrange the De Lorenzo modules in a convenient way for accessing and wiring.
Identify the relevant ports for communication, cables and connectors.

Follow the diagram from the next figure and connect the power cables accordingly:

Figure 3. Wiring diagram of a permanent split-capacitor motor.

Before starting any wiring activity, check all the power connections:
all switches must be OFF.

Do not miss the ground connecting terminal! As you can see from the
diagram, with specific symbols, all the equipment are connected to
the protective network through specific connector and cable.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE AND LEARNING PLAN

At the beginning of this experiment, connect all the modules to a main power supply by using
the supply cables.

Perform the circuit configuration that is shown in the wiring diagram

presented in figure 3. Complete the first configuration in order to
obtain the main windings (3.a) and then follow the same procedu-
re for the second configuration (3.b). Operate the network power
switch (I/O) that can be found on the front panel of the measuring
modules.
In order to use the DL 30016 power supply, follow the next prepara-
tory steps:

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¾¾ Turn the key clockwise.

Be sure that the main switch three-phase output is switched ON and

the overload protection is in the START position (both are found at
the back of the DL 30016 module).

¾¾ Press the green “start” button from the power supply module.

Make sure that the “temp” terminals from the DL 30016 module are
connected in series with the “temp” terminals from the other modu-
les used in the experiment (see the brown cables from figure 3).

¾¾ Switch the central selector "a0b" to position "a".

Since the measurement is performed in AC conditions, by using

the supply module DL 30016 you are able to power the split-phase
motor.

At this point, make sure that the left knob of the power supply is
turned counterclockwise, at “0” position.

Switch the selector corresponding to the variable AC voltage "L1L2L3 / 0÷240V" to the "on"
position.
Slowly rotate clockwise the knob corresponding to the AC voltage
of the module DL 30016. Use the power supply until the split-motor
will reach the rated parameters.

Use the measuring units and check the current (about 3.2A), the
voltage (about 220V) and the rated speed (about 2820 rpm)
Fill the next table with the actual measured data based on the rated
values presented above. Record in the data table the values of:
voltage (U), current (I), power (P), power factor (cosϕ), and motor
speed (n).

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 Table 1. Capacitor motor – rated parameters.
When the experiment is complete, you are asked to turn off the
power supplies of the split motor and of the electromagnetic bra-
ke. The easiest and more secure way to do this is to press the red
“STOP” button from the power supply module.

Switch all the selectors to “off”, the “a0b” to the zero position and
completely return the knobs counterclockwise.

3.4 QUESTIONS
Answer the following questions related to the experiment regarding the split phase motor with
capacitor.

1. How are the split phase motors made self-starting?

2. What is a permanent capacitor motor?

3. What will happen if the capacitor of a single-phase motor is short-circuited?

a) The motor will not start.
b) The motor will run.
c) The motor will run in the reverse direction.
d) The motor will run in the same direction at reduced speed.

4. In capacitor start single-phase motors:

a) Current in the starting winding leads the voltage.
b) Current in the starting winding lags the voltage.
c) Current in the starting winding is in phase with the voltage in the running winding.

3.5 CONCLUSIONS
When running at no-load, the motor is always noisier than at full-load, because only under full
load conditions it runs as a true two-phase machine. If the proper value of capacitance is cho-

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sen, the currents through each of the two equal stator windings (under full-load) can be made
such that the power factor is close to 100%.

However, the starting torque is rather low and the capacitor run motor is not recommended
for severe starting conditions.

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