Three Ways to Control a Single-Phase Induction Motor

Design engineers often use single-phase induction motors in their products. Ideally, designers like to control rotation speed, rotation direction, and microcontroller functions. By using a motor with an adjustable rotation speed, the designer can build a product that has variable speed functionality, limit energy consumption, and reduce operating noise. Variable speed is desirable, but direction of rotation is also important for many of today’s products which require multi-directional motors. This is a challenge since most induction motors are unidirectional (run only in one direction).  By adding extra windings, external relays and switches, or by adding gear mechanisms the direction of rotation can be altered. The article also discusses how microcontrollers can be accessed to gain control over a motors functions. This can be useful to design in dealing with various situations the motor may encounter. For example, if the motor that runs a dishwasher cycle becomes blocked by accumulated waste, the sequence can trigger a shut down until the block is cleared. In this case, the terminate feature is useful in keeping the dishwasher motor from straining but similar uses can stop motors in other products based on proximity, water level, or temperature.  Read the full article at Design News.

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