9/19/2022

Start Relays Start Relays

• A relay is used to energize the start

winding
• The same relay is also used to take the
start winding and capacitor out of the
circuit
• The next slide is a diagram of where start
components are located in a compressor
motor circuit

  1   2

1 2

Diagram of Compressor Start Components

Types of Compressor Starting
For the motor to run, N L1

power is needed to
Common and Run • RSIR: Resistance start, induction run
– Uses a start relay only
C • CSIR: Capacitor start, induction run
– Uses a start relay and start capacitor
S R • CSCR (CSR): Capacitor start,
For the motor to start,
capacitor run
power is needed to the
Add torque with a – Uses a start relay and both start and run
Start terminal.
Start Capacitor capacitors
START After start up, A Start
RELAY Relay opens the circuit
  3   4

3 4

1
 9/19/2022

Types of Compressor Starting Three Types of Starting Relays

• Current Relays
• PSC: Induction start, capacitor run
– Uses no relay and a run capacitor • Potential Relays
– Lower starting torque due to reduced • Positive Temperature Coefficient
voltage to start winding through run (PTC)
capacitor

  5   6

5 6

Current Relay
Current Relays

• Used on compressors under one horsepower

• Switch contacts are normally open (NO)
• Relay coil energized by high starting current
• Contacts open once motor running
• Position critical, must be mounted upright

  7   8

7 8

2
 9/19/2022

Split Phase Motor with Current Relay

Motor Amp Draw on Start up
1- High starting amps energize relay coil, close contacts
• Current relays respond to amp draw
2- Line voltage goes to start windings
• Relay contacts close on high starting current
3- Motor speed increases, amperage decreases,
• Relay contacts open as amperage drops
relay coil allows contacts to open
Motors draw high amps (LRA) on start up. S C R

LRA
60A START WINDING
Amperage Draw

RUN WINDING M S
Amperage drops as
40A 4- Start Winding drops out CURRENT
speed increases. RELAY
20A 5- Motor continues to run,
L
Start Up RLA drawing normal current
0A
POWER ON
20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Original Diagram from

Motor Speed
Copeland Handbook
LINE

  9   10

9 10

Potential Relay Exposed

Potential Relays
2 1
• Used for starting single phase
compressors up to five horsepower 5
• Contacts are normally closed (NC)
• The relay coil is energized by Back EMF
(electromotive force) generated in the
start winding once it is up to speed

Normally Closed (NC)

Relay Coil
contacts between
terminals 1 and 2
  11   12

11 12

3
 9/19/2022

Potential Relay – Normal Position Potential Relay – After Start Up

Normally closed Contacts 1 to 2 Relay Coil

Relay Coil are pulled open
contacts De-energized energized

  13   14

13 14

Potential Relay
Capacitor Start Induction Run (CSIR) Motor
Potential Relays in Operation
2 1
• The normally closed contacts allow full voltage to the start
winding POTENTIAL START
CAPACITOR
Back EMF RELAY
• The relay coil is energized keeps the coil
5
energized
• The contacts open S C R

• Back EMF keeps the coil energized, which keeps the

START RUN WINDING
contacts open WINDING

LINE
  15   16

15 16

4
 9/19/2022

PTC Relays: Used to boost starting torque

PTC Relays

• Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC)

solid state relays
• The resistance of the ceramic disc
increases with temperature
• This blocks current flow

  17   18

17 18

P.T.C. Relay Cutaway

Wire spring holds disk and
serves as a conductor
Location of the PTC Relay

• The relay is wired in parallel to the run capacitor

• It allows full voltage starting, then drops out of the circuit

Start
Run

Power from Power to

Run terminal Start terminal
Ceramic Disk

  19   20

19 20

5
 9/19/2022

Start Assist with PTC* Relay

PTC Relay in Operation
PTC
Relay
• When cool, the disk allows full voltage to the start winding Voltage stops
when relay heats
• The disk heats up quickly, stopping the flow of voltage Starts with
full voltage LINE
to start winding C
S R

Runs with
partial voltage
through run cap

Run Capacitor Compressor

*Positive Temperature Coefficient

  21   22

21 22

Hard Start Kit (for PSC Compressor)

“Hard Start” Kits

• Used on air conditioning compressors

PTC Relay
when compressor has trouble starting
• Contains a solid state relay and start
capacitor Connect Leads to
both sides of the
• Installed parallel to the run capacitor RUN Capacitor
Start
Capacitor

  23   24

23 24

6
 9/19/2022

Power to Hard Start Kit Hard Start Kit Out of the Circuit

PTC Relay PTC Relay PTC Relay heats up

Current flow stops

Full power plus Start Start

start capacitor Capacitor Incoming power Capacitor
to start winding on start up Incoming power
now goes through
RUN cap

  25   26

25 26

PSC Compressor Start Assist

Hard Start Kit Added to PSC Compressor
Hard Start Kit
• The following slide shows the start kit in the starting circuit (PTCR & Start Cap)

Full Power plus

Start cap to Start

PTCR heats up,

LINE
Stops current flow
C
S R

Current now
PSC Compressor
goes through
only the run cap.
Run Capacitor

  27   28

27 28