Compressor terminal fault interruption method and apparatus

A method of preventing damage to the terminal of a hermetic compressor having a motor, said method comprising the steps of:

• sensing power draw through the terminal;
• monitoring a signal representing the sensed power draw;
• comparing the monitored signal to a reference signal corresponding to a power draw substantially greater than the power draw associated with a locked rotor condition of the motor;
• and
• rapidly disconnecting power to the compressor terminal when the monitored signal exceeds the reference signal to prevent heating of the compressor terminal to a level likely to cause terminal venting.

A hermetic compressor having a hermetically encased motor, a terminal assembly and a compressor fault interruption circuit, said fault interruption circuit comprising:

• a current draw sensor;
• a reference signal source representing a current draw threshold level that is much higher than locked rotor current;
• a comparison circuit connected to receive inputs from said current draw sensor and said reference signal source;
• and
• a disconnect device connected in series with and ahead of said terminal assembly and controlled by said comparison circuit.