NATE Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Practice Exam

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Complete your NATE Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Test. Get ready with flashcards and multiple choice questions, all with detailed hints and explanations. Achieve success on your exam!

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What is the typical phase angle for a split-capacitor motor?

15°
30°
75°
90°

The correct answer is: 30°

The typical phase angle for a split-capacitor motor is around 30°. This phase angle is a crucial characteristic of the motor's operation, as it indicates the relationship between the current in the main winding and the current in the start winding, which affects the motor's starting torque and efficiency. In a split-capacitor motor, the capacitor creates a phase shift in the current flowing through the start winding. The 30° phase angle is generally adequate to provide the necessary torque to start the motor and keep it running effectively. It strikes a balance by ensuring that the motor has sufficient phase displacement to generate torque without being overly complex or inefficient. Understanding the phase angle is important for diagnosing motor performance issues and for ensuring proper application in systems where split-capacitor motors are utilized.