Motors draw up to 600% more current at the instant of starting. This increased starting current tends to overheat the start winding if the motor cannot reach its operating rpm within 31⁄2 seconds to permit the motor run winding to take over. If a short or disconnection in the motor run winding occurs, the compressor motor will continue running on the start winding and very rapidly overheat, causing the overload protector to open the circuit. When the overload protector bimetal cools, it will close the electrical circuit to the compressor until it senses the high temperatures again, and the cycling on overload continues. Also, a binding or stuck compressor rotor causes too much current draw and consequently cycles on overload.
