How does reversing the leads at the start winding affect a CSR motor?

Reversing the leads at the start winding of a Capacitor Start Motor (CSR motor) directly impacts the direction of the magnetic field generated within the motor. This is significant because the direction of the magnetic field determines the direction in which the rotor of the motor will turn.

In a CSR motor, there are typically two windings: the start winding and the run winding. The start winding is energized to create an initial rotating magnetic field that gets the motor up to speed. If the leads of the start winding are reversed, it effectively alters this magnetic field's orientation. As a result, the rotor will respond by rotating in the opposite direction. This is crucial in applications where the direction of rotation may need to be adjusted to fit the operational requirements of the machinery being driven by the motor.

This understanding is foundational for anyone involved with residential air conditioning systems mechanics since knowing how to control the direction of motors is key to ensuring proper functioning of components such as fans, pumps, and compressors in HVAC systems.