Abstract: A solid state starting system for electric motors having main and auxiliary windings of the capacitor start induction run and capacitor start-capacitor run types uses a triac serially connected to the auxiliary winding. The system differentially measures the auxiliary winding voltage and provides a triac gate signal when in the START mode. When the auxiliary voltage reaches a calibratable cut-out voltage the triac is disabled until the auxiliary winding voltage decreases to a level below a calibratable cut-in voltage. The slope of the percent motor speed cut-out versus percent line voltage is calibratable to permit compensation for variations in line voltage. The triac can be directly driven or driven through an optically coupled interface having a triac output (OCI).

Abstract: A single phase, capacitor start electric motor is shown in which energization of the auxiliary winding is controlled by a triac. The triac is protected from excessive voltages caused by the vector sum of capacitor, line and induced voltages which can occur at turn-off of the triac. The triac is protected in several embodiments by a gated semiconductor switch serially connected to a current limiting or discharge resistor, both being coupled across the triac. The semiconductor switch has a voltage breakdown device connected in its gate circuit. When voltage across the triac exceeds a selected level the gated semiconductor is turned on thereby drawing sufficient current momentarily to limit the voltage across the triac to a safe level and allowing the capacitor to discharge its voltage through the auxiliary winding circuit. In another embodiment a stack of high voltage bilateral triggering devices is placed across the triac.

Abstract: An aural or visual alarm is arranged to be actuated upon leaving a door to an appliance open longer than a preselected period of time. An automatically resettable disarming device may be included to permit leaving the door open intentionally for an extended time to permit appliance cleaning or the like.

Abstract: A solid state starting system for electric motors having main and start windings of the capacitor start, capacitor start-capacitor run and split phase types uses a triac serially connected to the start winding. The system turns on the triac upon energization of the motor from an at rest condition and measures the locked rotor value of either the main winding current for any of the above motor types or start winding voltage for the capacitor start, capacitor start-capacitor run motor types. The system stores that valve as a calibration value and then measures subsequent values and turns off the triac when the subsequent values reach a selected proportion of the calibration value. The system re-energizes the triac upon further subsequent measured values reaching a selected cut in value relative to the calibration value which is indicative of an overload or stall condition. The calibration value is retained for a given period of time following a loss of power to provide desired starting characteristics.

Abstract: A housing is disclosed in which a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity element is mounted a selected distance from but in thermal communication with a thermostatic switch also mounted within the housing.