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Potential Relay

Potential relays are used to disconnect start capacitors in capacitor start motors. They sense the voltage induced in the motor's start winding, which increases with motor speed. When this voltage reaches a preset level, the potential relay opens its contacts to disconnect the start capacitor, as the motor no longer needs its additional torque to start. Potential relays must be selected to correctly match the motor's speed and torque characteristics to disconnect the capacitor at the proper time.

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Raju Garad
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140 views

Potential Relay

Potential relays are used to disconnect start capacitors in capacitor start motors. They sense the voltage induced in the motor's start winding, which increases with motor speed. When this voltage reaches a preset level, the potential relay opens its contacts to disconnect the start capacitor, as the motor no longer needs its additional torque to start. Potential relays must be selected to correctly match the motor's speed and torque characteristics to disconnect the capacitor at the proper time.

Uploaded by

Raju Garad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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®

Potential Relays
Potential Relays voltage is a function of the speed of the motor and the
number of turns in the start winding. Higher the speed
Typically, a refrigeration or air conditioning compressor of rotation, the greater the induced voltage.
needs high starting torque. A start capacitor,
wired in series with the motor’s When the motor is first energized, the voltage across
start, or auxiliary, the start winding is lower than the applied voltage.
winding, provides This is because the start circuit is composed of the
additional current to give start winding in series with the start capacitor. Each
the motor more starting component takes a portion of the applied voltage. As
torque when the circuit is the motor comes up to speed, the induced voltage
energized. Start capacitors, plus the line voltage reaches a value called the
unlike run capacitors, are “continuous coil voltage”, which is an important rating
designed for intermittent duty. for a potential relay. If a potential relay with a
continuous coil rating that is too low is applied to a
Capacitor start motors require an electrical device to compressor’s starting circuit, the relay will fail.
disconnect the start capacitor as soon as the motor
attains the minimum speed needed. The most
practical, reliable, accurate and economical device for
this purpose is a potential relay. A potential relay
senses voltage across the start winding. When this
voltage reaches a sufficient level, the start capacitor,
which is in series with the start winding, must be
disconnected from the circuit.

Potential relays are normally closed devices.


This means that the relay contacts between “1” and
“2” are closed when a motor is first energized. The
opening of these contacts is the primary function of a
potential relay.
Operation
At the instant voltage is applied to a capacitor start,
When a capacitor start motor runs, a voltage is induced induction run motor with a potential relay, the relay
in the start winding. This voltage varies with the speed contacts are closed, and the applied voltage is split
of the motor. Too much induced voltage can cause between the start capacitor and the motor’s start
such a high current that it can destroy the start winding winding. As the motor quickly builds up speed,
in seconds. For this reason, it is important to have a voltage is induced in the start winding. This voltage is
reliable device to disconnect the start capacitor before sensed by the potential relay. As soon as the
the induced voltage exceeds safety limits, but not potential relay senses a pre-determined value, the
before the motor has attained sufficient speed to relay’s contacts open or “pick up”. As soon as the
continue to accelerate to its full load rated speed. relay contacts pick up, the start capacitor is
Accuracy, repeatability, reliability and long life are disconnected from the motor’s start circuit. Potential
attributes that ensure proper starting of compressors relays are designed or selected with specific motor
and pumps used in HVAC/R applications. speed and torque requirements as criteria. When a
properly selected potential relay picks up, the motor
When a capacitor start, induction run (or capacitor to which it is applied no longer needs the extra torque
start, capacitor run) motor runs, voltage is generated in provided by the start capacitor and has enough
the start winding. The generated voltage is the product momentum to continue to accelerate to full rated
of magnetic lines of flux, induced in the motor’s rotor, speed at rated load conditions.
cutting through the coils of the start winding. This

MARS Tech Potential Relays 98714

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