Selectable size AC motor run capacitor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capacitor unit for use as a run capacitor in an AC motor circuit including a grouping of two to ten capacitors connected to an integral and internal multiple position selector switch having an externally accessible atuator knob in such a way that different selector switch positions select different parallel combinations of the capacitors. The capacitors are of suitable size and electrical characteristics for use as run capacitors in an AC motor circuit and a grouping of one of the two leads of each capacitor in the group is interconnected to form a first output lead for the capacitance unit. The selector switch is usable in an AC motor circuit for switching capacitors in and out of a parallel group in which the free leads of each of the capacitors are individually connected to terminals on the selector switch and the common terminal on the selector switch provides a second output lead for the capacitor unit, the selector switch being capable of connecting various combinations of the capacitors in a parallel configuration such that the capacitor unit yields selectable capacitance values. A housing to package the capacitors, the selector switch, and the required wiring is included.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.