TRADE TECH 224

CENTRIFUGAL SWITCH
And AC MOTOR COOLING 
SYSTEM
THE CENTRIFUGAL
SWITCH
A centrifugal switch is an
electric switch that operates
using the centrifugal force
created from a rotating
shaft, most commonly that
of an electric motor.

The switch is designed to

activate or de-activate as a
function of the rotational
speed of the shaft.
THE CENTRIFUGAL
SWITCH (Uses/Application)
• It comprises three major components:
 switch contacts
moving contact arm
the governor assembly (see Figure 41).
• The switch contacts are wired in series
with the supply and the start winding.

• The governor assembly is mounted on the motor

shaft. It consists of a spring loaded weight on a
small rod.
• The spring loaded contact arm has a circular
inclined plane extending around the shaft; this is
commonly known as the skillet plate.
THE CENTRIFUGAL
SWITCH (Uses/Function)

• When the motor is idle, the

switch contacts are closed.
• When the motor starts, the
shaft rotates, gathers speed
and sets up a strong
centrifugal force which
causes the weight to move
outwards against the spring
tension Permits the contact
arm to move and open the switch contacts, thus
disconnecting the start circuit.
 THE CENTRIFUGAL
SWITCH (Uses/Function)
• As the supply is
disconnected to the run
winding by the action of the
temperature control, the
motor speed reduces and the
centrifugal force weakens.
This allows the governor to
move in towards the shaft,
contacting and depressing
the skillet plate and closing
the switch contacts ready for
a restart.
START WINDING THE CENTRIFUGAL SWITCH

L1

RUN WINDING

L2
 COOLING ELECTRIC MOTORS
• All motors must be cooled
• Hermetic compressor motor are cooled by air and refrigerant
• Open motors are cooled by air
• Open motors must be located where there is a good supply of
air
• Some very large motors are cooled by water
COOLING ELECTRIC
MOTORS
• Heat generated in a running
motor is transferred to its
outer body through
conduction.

• A general rule states that

greater the area of contact,
More is the heat transfer.

• Fins tend to increase the

surface area of motor body &
as air flows through it, It takes
away the heat of motor
through it.
COOLING ELECTRIC
MOTORS

• Some electric motor without

fins are usually burned due to
excessive heat.

• An extra fins place wrapped in

the body of the motor to
prevent excessive heat and its
complete destruction.
COOLING ELECTRIC
MOTORS
• Motors with fins on outer body
have fan at one end of shaft,
with a fan cover.

• When motor is running, the

fans forces air over the fins
and cools the motor.
•
• This way he fins help in
maintaining the motor cool.
Fins and fan make for forces
air circulation.