Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie

Faculty of Engineering and Technology | Electrical Engineering Department

Electrical Machines Lab || Eng. TareQ FoQha

Experiment (4) Capacitor Start/Run Induction Motor

Objectives:
1. To familiarize with single-phase capacitor start and capacitor start/run induction motors
components.
2. To investigate different characteristics (torque, speed, current, power, power factor and
efficiency) of single-phase capacitor start and capacitor start/run induction motors.
3. To demonstrate how to reverse the direction of rotation of single-phase capacitor start
and capacitor start/run induction motors.
4. To understand single-phase capacitor start/run induction motors ratings.
5. To compare between capacitor-type single-phase induction motors.

Theory and concepts:

For some applications, the starting torque supplied by a split-phase motor is insufficient to start
the load on a motor's shaft. In those cases, capacitor-start motors may be used (see the
following Figure).

In a capacitor-start motor, a capacitor is placed in series with the auxiliary winding of the
motor. By proper selection of capacitor size, the magnetomotive force of the starting current in
the auxiliary winding can be adjusted to be equal to the magnetomotive force of the current in
the main winding, and the phase angle of the current in the auxiliary winding can be made to
lead the current in the main winding by 90°. Since the two windings are physically separated by
90°, a 90° phase difference in current will yield a single uniform rotating stator magnetic field,
and the motor will behave just as though it were starting from a three-phase power source.
 Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie
Faculty of Engineering and Technology | Electrical Engineering Department
Electrical Machines Lab || Eng. TareQ FoQha

In this case, the starting torque of the motor can be more than 300 percent of its rated value (see
the following Figure).

Capacitor-start motors are more expensive than split-phase motors, and they are used in
applications where a high starting torque is absolutely required. Typical applications for such
motors are compressors, pumps, air conditioners, and other pieces of equipment that must start
under a load. Permanent split-capacitor motors are simpler than capacitor-start motors, since
the starting switch is not needed. However, permanent split-capacitor motors have a lower
starting torque than capacitor-start motors, since the capacitor must be sized to balance the
currents in the main and auxiliary windings at normal-load conditions.
Since the starting current is much greater than the normal-load current, a capacitor that
balances the phases under normal loads leaves them very unbalanced under starting conditions.
If both the largest possible starting torque and the best running conditions are needed, two
capacitors can be used with the auxiliary winding. Motors with two capacitors are called
capacitor-start, capacitor-run, or two-value capacitor motors (see the following Figure).
 Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie
Faculty of Engineering and Technology | Electrical Engineering Department
Electrical Machines Lab || Eng. TareQ FoQha

The larger capacitor is present in the circuit only during starting, when it ensures that the
currents in the main and auxiliary windings are roughly balanced, yielding very high starting
torques. When the motor gets up to speed , the centrifugal switch opens, and the permanent
capacitor is left by itself in the auxiliary winding circuit. The permanent capacitor is just large
enough to balance the currents at normal motor loads, so the motor again operates efficiently
with a high torque and power factor. The permanent capacitor in such a motor is typically about
10 to 20 percent of the size of the starting capacitor.
The torque-speed characteristic of the motor is shown in the following figure:

Characteristics and Typical Applications

The main features and the applications of single-phase induction motors are summarized in the
following Table.
 Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie
Faculty of Engineering and Technology | Electrical Engineering Department
Electrical Machines Lab || Eng. TareQ FoQha

Note that for applications below 1/20 hp, shaded-pole motors are invariably used. However, for
applications above 1/20 hp, the choice of the motor depends primarily on the starting torque and
to some extent on the quietness of operation.
ü If low noise is desired and low starting torque is adequate, such as for driving fans or blowers,
capacitor-run motors can be chosen.
ü If low noise is to be combined with high starting torque, as may be required for a compressor or
refrigerator drive, then the expensive capacitor-start, capacitor-run motor is better.
ü If the compressor is located in a noisy environment, the choice should be a capacitor start motor,
which will be less expensive.

Comparison of Single-Phase Induction Motors

Single-phase induction motors may be ranked from best to worst in terms of their starting and
running characteristics:
1. Capacitor-start , capacitor-run motor
2. Capacitor-start motor
3. Permanent split-capacitor motor
4. Split-phase motor
Naturally, the best motor is also the most expensive, and the worst motor is the
least expensive. Also, not all these starting techniques are available in all motor size ranges. It
is up to the design engineer to select the cheapest available motor for any given application that
will do the job.

Necessary Material:
1. Matlab Simulink
 Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie
Faculty of Engineering and Technology | Electrical Engineering Department
Electrical Machines Lab || Eng. TareQ FoQha

Experimental Procedures:
Part I: Specifications of the Single-Phase Capacitor Start/Run Induction Motor.

1. Read the nameplate of the Capacitor Start/Run Induction Motor then tabulate the rating
values of the motor in the following table:

Name Plate of the Capacitor Start/Run Induction Motor Mod.3120

Voltage: Power:

Frequency: Speed:

Starting Capacitor: Running Capacitor:

Current: Duty Cycle:

Insulation Class: Ingress Protection:

Part II: Capacitor Start Induction Motor

Part II-1: Starting Condition of the Capacitor Start Induction Motor.

1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 1.
2. Apply a phase voltage of 230-V (rated voltage of the motor) at the terminals of the
induction motor and run the motor.
3. Change the value of the starting capacitor as shown in the following table and
measure the following quantities:
Use the following settings:
‎ Simulation time: 1.2 Sec.
‎ Step time: 3 Sec.
Steady State Stator Current
Starting Capacitor Starting Torque Pull out Torque
Current (at starting)
Cs (µF) Iss (A) Is (A) Tst (N.m) Tmax (N.m)

50.0
100
200
250
300
350
400
 Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie
Faculty of Engineering and Technology | Electrical Engineering Department
Electrical Machines Lab || Eng. TareQ FoQha

4. For each value of the starting capacitor obtain the speed curve, Electromagnetic torque
curve and the stator currents waveforms, Compare between them and then Comment
on the figures.
5. Determine the situation when optimal operation of the motor is achieved

Figure (1)

Part II-2: External characteristics of the Capacitor Start Induction Motor.

1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 1.

2. For this section use the following settings and parameters:
‎ Starting capacitor: 100-µF
‎ Simulation time: 3 Sec.
‎ Step time: 2 Sec.
3. Apply a phase voltage of 230-V at the terminals of the induction motor and run the motor
at no load condition.
4. Vary the meachanical load connected to the shaft of the motor by changing the Load
torque value.
5. Measure the speed, voltage applied to the motor, current and power absorbed by the
motor and the Power Factor at each value of the torque of the load.
6. Calcultae the output power, you may use the following relation:
Pout = τ (N.m) * ω (rad/sec) = (τ (g.m) *(10/1000)) * (2*3.14*n (rpm)/60))
7. Calculate the efficiency of the motor, you may use the following relation:
η = Pout/Pin *100%
8. Calculate the Speed regulation of the motor, you may use the following relation:
SR = nnl - nfl / nfl *100%
9. Tabulate the results in the following table.
 Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie
Faculty of Engineering and Technology | Electrical Engineering Department
Electrical Machines Lab || Eng. TareQ FoQha

Motor Break unit Calculations

Speed (rpm) Line Voltage Line Current Pin Torque (gr.m) Pout η SR

0
230
(No load)
230 15

230 30

230 50

230 70

230 100

10. Plot and explain the mechanical characteristics of the Capacitor Run IM.
(Torque (Y-axis) vs Speed (X-axis))

11. Plot and explain the electromechanical characteristics of the Capacitor Run IM.
X-axis: Output Power
Relations:
‫ ‏‬Efficiency (Y-axis)
‫ ‏‬Speed (Y-axis)
‫ ‏‬Current (Y-axis)

All the relationships should be plotted on the same graph.

Part II-3: The operation of the centrifugal switch in the capacitor start induction motor.
1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 1.
2. For this section use the following settings and parameters:
‫ ‏‬Starting capacitor: 100-µF
‫ ‏‬Simulation time: 1.2 Sec.
‫ ‏‬Step time: 0.6 Sec.
‫ ‏‬Torque load: 0.5 N.m
3. Apply a phase voltage of 230-V at the terminals of the induction motor and run the motor
at no load condition.
4. Obtain the figure from scope 1. (Figure shows the operation of the centrifugal switch)
5. Change the load to 9 N.m and then explain the operation of the centrifugal switch.
 Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie
Faculty of Engineering and Technology | Electrical Engineering Department
Electrical Machines Lab || Eng. TareQ FoQha

Part III: Capacitor Start/Run Induction Motor.

Build a circuit in Matlab Simulink to simulate a capacitor start-run induction motor (Use
the nameplate to set the parameters of the induction motor)

Part III-1: External characteristics of the Capacitor Start/Run Induction Motor.

1. Apply a phase voltage of 230-V at the terminals of the induction motor and run the motor
at no load condition.
2. Vary the meachanical load connected to the shaft of the motor by changing the Load
torque value.
3. Measure the speed, voltage applied to the motor, current and power absorbed by the
motor and the Power Factor at each value of the torque of the load.
4. Calcultae the output power, you may use the following relation:
Pout = τ (N.m) * ω (rad/sec) = (τ (g.m) *(10/1000)) * (2*3.14*n (rpm)/60))
5. Calculate the efficiency of the motor, you may use the following relation:
η = Pout/Pin *100%
6. Calculate the Speed regulation of the motor, you may use the following relation:
SR = nnl - nfl / nfl *100%
7. Tabulate the results in the following table.

Motor Break unit Calculations

Speed (rpm) Line Voltage Line Current Pin Torque (gr.m) Pout η SR

0
230
(No load)
230 15

230 30

230 50

230 70

230 100

8. Plot and explain the mechanical characteristics of the Capacitor Run IM.
(Torque (Y-axis) vs Speed (X-axis))
 Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie
Faculty of Engineering and Technology | Electrical Engineering Department
Electrical Machines Lab || Eng. TareQ FoQha

9. Plot and explain the electromechanical characteristics of the Capacitor Run IM.
X-axis: Output Power
Relations:
‫ ‏‬Efficiency (Y-axis)
‫ ‏‬Speed (Y-axis)
‫ ‏‬Current (Y-axis)

All the relationships should be plotted on the same graph.

Questions:
1. Compare between Single-Phase Induction motors (Split-Phase, Capacitor Run,
Capacitor Start and Capacitor start capacitor run) in terms of:
(a) Starting Torque;
(b) Starting Current;
(c) Power Factor.

2. What type of motor would you select to perform each of the following jobs? Why?
(a) Refrigerator (b) Air conditioner compressor (c) Air conditioner fan

3. A 120-V, 60-Hz, Capacitor-Start induction motor has the following main and auxiliary
winding impedances:
Main winding impedance: Zm= 4.2 + j3.6 Ω
Auxiliary winding impedance: Za = 8.4 + j 3.0 Ω
Determine the capacitance value required to obtain a 90o phase shift between Im and Ia?