How do you change the direction of rotation of a capacitor start motor?

To change the direction of rotation of a capacitor start motor, reversing the connections to the start windings is the correct approach. In a capacitor start motor, the start winding is responsible for generating a phase shift that creates the necessary magnetic field for rotation. By reversing the connections in the start winding, the phase relationship between the main winding and the start winding is altered, which in turn changes the direction of the rotating magnetic field. This leads to the motor spinning in the opposite direction.

This process involves careful manipulation of the wiring, ensuring that both the main and starting winding connections are appropriate for the desired change in rotation. Proper understanding of motor windings and their connections is essential for making such changes safely and effectively.

Other options do not achieve the desired effect; for example, switching the capacitor type does not affect the rotation direction but instead could alter the motor's performance. Adjusting motor speed settings would also not impact the direction of rotation, as that pertains to changing operational parameters rather than the magnetic field's orientation. Interchanging two power leads could, in certain contexts, influence rotation for other types of motors but does not specifically apply to capacitor start motors.