Hi. I read that the start winding in a PSC motor is thinner gauge and will burn if connected directly to line voltage. Thus, you have to go from L1 > common > capacitor > Herm/start terminal > start winding > motor common > L2. How does connecting the capacitor in series with the start winding protect it? I read that in a PSC motor the start winding and the run winding are made 90degs out of phase with each other so that you get starting torque. Once it gets running, the capacitor puts the start winding into phase with the run winding. So, if the run winding and the starting winding continuously run out of phase the start winding will burn? Why?

 

Any of those motors I've had apart, both the main winding and what you're calling the "start winding" are same gauge. The PSC motor doesn't have a 'start winding' like a capacitor start motor. Both winding's in a PSC motor ARE run winding's.

 

Agreed, Most PSC motors have identical windings as they usually run in either direction by swapping the start cap to either winding.
Max.

 

I was surprised that my grandsons DeWalt/Emglo small air compressor has a PSC motor in it. It won't start when it is cold, due to the low starting torque of that type motor.