How to Troubleshoot an Electric Motor and Adjust Centrifugal Switches

Electric motor doesn't work, won't spin up, or won't start? Here's some answers to what might be wrong, and how to fix it!

Having trouble with the single-phase induction motor in your woodworking or metalworking machine? This video will guide you through a troubleshoot of an electric motor and get you back up and running in no time. Repair it yourself with this hands-on video!

0:00 Intro
0:48 The Working Parts
1:33 Capacitor Inspection & Testing
3:19 Centrifugal Switch & Contact Plate Inspection and Adjustment
5:45 Test Run
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[bjharlow]

Exactly the info I needed to adjust the centrifugal switch. Thank you!!

[dott.davidederosi]

the best side of internet is sharing knowledge and you are doing it in the best way.

[danervinervin]

I had this same problem on my old Grizzly G1023 table saw. It would not start and only made a very slight buzzing noise when I pressed the start button. However, it was not a bad capacitor or a switch problem. After testing the capacitor I decided to open the small cover plate on the motor that covers the junction of the power supply cord to the motor’s wiring. I found that one of the orange wire nut covers appeared to be burnt a bit. When I started to twist it off, it was loose and the two wires had very little left connecting one to the other. I stripped a bit more cover off the wires and used a new wire nut cover to connect them and a bit of electrical tape and thankfully that fixed the problem. The saw started right up!

[barrygriffith]

This saved my day. I bought a 5000.00 dollar baileigh 12" table saw they thought the motor was burnt up. I replaced the start capacitor and still wouldn't get up to speed. I then saw this video and adjusted the centrifugal switch and presto. 5000 saw for 500

[rowell]

This is such an awesome video. I very much appreciate that you are willing to help your customers fix their equipment instead of trying to get more money out of them to for equipment repair. I love this video because there is no unnecessary talking. You get right to the point and you aren’t too chatty. Thank you for that!

[pumpkinpeanut]

This video is only one that I could find on YouTube that shows how to adjust the centrifugal switch. Great job of explaining how to test the capacitor too and thank you for showing how to adjust the centrifugal switch. Your video is clear and easy to understant.

[missingthes]

I needed this! My band saw took a dump while cutting a bar of 12L14. I suspected the cap. Melted! Dropped in a new one and went to work. 90 seconds later, a pop from the capacitor cover and magic blue smoke comes out.

Thinking about the problem while machining a block it dawns on me that I'm not hearing a click and I bet it's a switch. Bread crumb trail of clues lead here. I'll follow up.

[a.h.h]

I'm not owner of any product of Grizzly but this is the real support you provide to your customers thanks lot for info that helped me to identify an issue I have on 3HP motor for long time .

thumps up and liked ❤👍🏼

[sangbonsynat]

Excellent presentation gentlemen!!! That was very helpful on how to adjust the centrifugal switch. I never knew that's how it work!!!! Thank you!!!

[lithuaniangiant]

Straight forward, simple explanation of how to diagnose and fix a common motor issue.

[joshh]

Thats how you do a how to video! Consice with good detail shots where needed, good work.

[waggledanceterrafirma]

The retaining screw on my centrifugal switch had come loose and the cap wasn't connected at startup. so good to fix things. great video.

[patrickscahillii]

BEST INFO I'VE SEEN YET, THANKS FOR SHARING

[MegaSuperfatguy]

Fantastic video. I would recommend covering testing the capacitance of the capacitor with a digital multimeter as well. A lot of digital meters come with capacitance testing functions now.

[ForestWoodworks]

This was actually pretty useful and I got a new aspect (testing the capacitor) of motor diagnosis and understanding! I am so new to the motor side of machines, but I've had to dive into it while I continue with the Walker-Turner table saw restoration on my channel. I've had to take this a step further and try to learn about wiring, which I have zero experience with, but I'm nearing the end of the motor restoration, so it's one of the final steps at this point. Now, don't take me wrong, I'm not going to do some hack dangerous wannabe job, just trying to learn enough of the basics before I pass the wiring/cord/circuit breaker switch hookup to an electrician. Thanks for the quick video.

[jeffreysmith]

Tutorials like these are one of the reasons I like to buy equipment from Grizzly. This one really saved my bacon and got me back up and running. Thanks Grizzly!

[peterford]

Thanks so much. This video was the most clean and informative on centrifugal switch es on the tube. 👍👍

[davefuelling]

As a machine tech, I've done this many times. I have taken a file to the contacts to remove pitting. This does work but will not last as long as a new set of contacts. After filing, set the switch the way the video says to. It's a good idea to order a new centrifugal switch after filing the contacts, They are not that expensive and you can have them on hand when the filed set quit on you. All you really need is the shaft diameter where the switch is mounted and check that the mounting screw spacing is the ame, you can order them online. You can even look for the best price because the filed set will last for a while.

[michaelcostello]

Great video showing all details and well explained. Thank you. Michael (apprentice electrician)

[bertgrau]

I had the same problem with a different make of motor, same principle though.
I Cleaned the points which other than being dirty were fine. Now now air compressor works just fine. I talked with a gentleman about my problem, as soon as I turned the switch on the circuit breaker blew I thought the capacitors were bad. They were good. The gentleman told me about the points and said if they are dirty or bad that could be tripping the breaker . I guess he was correct cause after I cleaned the points it's working just fine