305C Series
Vishay Cera-Mite
PTCR Motor Start Packages
PSC Single Phase Motor Start Assist
• ECONOMICAL SOLID STATE TORQUE ASSIST FOR HEAT PUMPS, ROOM AIR, COMMERCIAL
AND RESIDENTIAL AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
Positive Temperature Coefficient Resistors have been
used for many years in millions of HVAC applications to
provide starting torque assistance to Permanent Split
Capacitor (PSC) single phase compressor motors.
Safety Agency Recognition
Vishay Cera-Mite motor start PTCRs are recognized by
Underwriter Laboratories file E97640 in accordance with
Standard forThermistorType Devices UL 1434;and Canadian
Standards C22.2 No. 0-1991.
Sizes are available to cover the full range of 120/240 volt
PSC compressor motors.
RELATIVE COMPARISON OF VARIOUS MOTOR STARTING METHODS
Three methods have historically been employed to generate
starting torque for PSC motors. All are well-proven technolo-
gies and may be compared relative to one another based
upon categories shown below.
The importance of each category is dependent upon the
motor application and industry sector.
In general, if the PTCR starter produces sufficient starting
torque, it is considered the simplest and most economical
choice.
Table 1
MECHANICAL
ELECTRICAL
FINANCIAL
PANEL SENSITIVE TO ACCELERATION ACCELERATION RESET
INVENTORY
MIX
STARTING
METHOD
EASE OF
SPACE MOUNTING
TORQUE
PRODUCED
(SWITCH)
TIME
TIME
EMI/RFI
PURCHASED
WIRING REQUIRED DIRECTION
REQUIRED GENERATED TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED RELIABILITY COST
PTCR Starter Simple Lowest
2 Wire
Start Cap with Moderate Medium
PTCR Acting as 2 or 3
No
Lowest
Fixed
Fixed
3 - 5
Minutes
2 - 5
No
No
Solid State
Solid State
Lowest
Highest
Medium
Lowest
Yes
Medium
Medium
Medium
Minutes
A Current Relay
Wire
Start Cap used Difficult Highest
With Potential or 4 or 5
Yes
Highest
Variable
Based on
None
Yes
Electro
Mechanical
Highest
Lowest
Highest
Current Relay
Wire
Motor Speed
SIMPLIFIED PTCR STARTING DIAGRAM
Start Sequence. When starting the
compressor, contactor (M) closes;
the PTCR, which is at low resistance,
provides starting current to the motor’s
auxiliary winding. After time delay (t),
the current passing through the PTCR
causes it to heat and “switch” to a very
high resistance.At this point the motor is
Restart. It is important to provide
time between motor starts to allow
the PTCR to cool to near its initial
temperature. This time is usually
3 to 5 minutes and is determined by
the thermostat (THERM) or separate
time-delay relay (TR). Attempts to
restart in less time may be successful
depending on compressor equaliza-
tion, line voltage, temperature, and
other conditions. If the motor were to
stall in a locked-rotor state, overload
device (PD or TS) would open the
line and a further time delay would
occur until the motor overload is
reset. Motor start PTCRs are applied
to compressors having means to
equalize pressure during shutdown.
TYPICAL PTCR CHARACTERISTICS
AS A MOTOR START DEVICE
Fig T-3
CURRENT
20.0
10,000
up to speed and the run capacitor (C
)
R
PTCR
Current
(Amperes)
determines the current in the auxiliary
winding. The PTCR remains hot
and at high resistance as long
as voltage remains on the circuit.
When contactor (M) opens, shutting
off voltage to the compressor,
the PTCR cools to its initial low
resistance and is again ready to provide
torque assist on the next startup.
1,000
100
Switch Time (t)
RESISTANCE
0.02
10
50
PTCR Temperature °C
150
100
20.0
Fig T-2
L1
PD
M
Protective
Device
PSC
MOTOR
TS
THERM
Internal
Motor
Winding
Overtemp.
Switch
MAIN
TR
M
AC Line
120 or 240
VOLTS AC
Optional OFF
Time Delay TR
Relay
CR
AUX.
M
Protective
Device
PTCR
Low Voltage Control Transformers Not Shown
M
L 2
Document Number: 23086
Revision 14-May-02
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