Which component in HVACR systems is primarily responsible for starting motors?

In HVACR systems, the component primarily responsible for starting motors is the capacitor. Capacitors are crucial in applications where they provide the extra voltage needed to initiate the rotation of the motor. When an electric motor starts, it requires more torque to overcome inertia, and this is where the capacitor comes into play. It creates a phase shift in the current, allowing the motor to generate the necessary starting torque.

Capacitors are particularly common in single-phase motors, where they help produce a second phase for the motor to start efficiently. Once the motor reaches a certain speed, the capacitor can be disconnected from the circuit, as it is no longer needed for continuous operation. This characteristic makes capacitors essential for many common HVACR applications, improving the performance of motors by ensuring they start robustly and effectively.

Other components, such as resistors, contactors, and transformers, play roles in different aspects of electrical systems, such as controlling the flow of electricity, switching circuits on and off, or stepping voltage levels, but they do not directly manage the motor start-up process like capacitors do.