Huh? It's not working... Why? I thought I wired it properly...
What's going on?
I wired it up, but the motor won't start.
Let's see... Nah, it won’t work in this state. Because the capacitor is not connected. Did you check the connection diagram properly?
No I didn’t... I see, I also had to connect the capacitor.
By the way, what was the capacitor again?
This is the one that connects to the motor! All of Oriental Motor's single-phase power motors require capacitors.
What does capacitor do?
First of all, the capacitor does 2 things.
(1) Determine the rotation direction (from single-phase to 2-phase)
(2) Generate the motor torque (starting torque, rated torque)
Each motor has a specific capacitor, so you must use the right one for your specific motor.
What happens if I use something that doesn't match?
If the capacity is large, the motor will produce more torque, but it will also generate more heat and vibration. On the other hand, if the capacity is small, the torque will drop, so I won't recommend it.
I see. But when you say capacity, where can I find such information?
It's right here on the motor's nameplate. It says 5 μF, isn’t it? That represents the capacity of the capacitor.
Oh, I see. By the way, the motor over here is one that has been in stock at the warehouse for a while, and it uses a round shape. But the motor over here uses a square capacitor. What's the difference?
Basically, if the capacity and voltage are the same, it doesn't matter whether you use a square or round shape. The shape are different depending on how the capacitor is made. However, the connection method may also be different, so you should be careful when you replace the capacitor.
Is there a timing when the capacitor needs to be replaced?
If the motor is used for many years, it will inevitably reach the end of its lifetime. When you buy a new single-phase power motor, it comes with a capacitor, so you should replace it along with the motor at that time.
I see. I’ve learned a lot. Please teach me more about all sorts of new things!
