I didn't realize I was going to learn so much from this repair task.
I put locked rotor amps in Google and found this response on a forum: (Now I wonder how electric motors in space dissipate heat---like on the Intl. Space Station where I assume electric motors position antennas and solar panels).
Re: locked rotor amps (LRA)
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Just a note on electric motors If a motor is running completely unloaded it will turn at nearly synchronous speed. This speed depends upon the way in which the motor is constructed. A two pole motor running with a supply frequency of 60 hz would in theory turn at 3600 rpm. And a 4 pole motor would run at
1800 rpm. A 50 hz supply would reduce these speeds in proportion to the supply frequency. In these hypothetical conditions the motor would absorb no current from the supply. However as we don=92t yet live in a perfect world, the motor is not 100% efficient. The windings have resistance, the bearings have friction and there are windage losses due to the rotor velocity. These inefficiencies tend to slow the motor slightly. As this happens power is taken from the supply to overcome these losses until the motor speed stabilises at what is termed is =91free running speed=92. As energy is a constant this power is ultimately converted in to heat which in this free running state is dispersed into the atmosphere. For this to happen there must be a temperature difference and therefore the internals of the motor heat up to a temperature at which this heat can be conducted from the motor.An increasing load applied to the output shaft of the motor results in further slowing of the motor, more current is absorbed to overcome the applied load plus the increased internal inefficiencies of the motor which result in higher internal temperatures. This effect will continue until the load is sufficient to stall the output shaft. The current drawn from the supply at this condition is termed the motor =91Locked rotor amps=92.
However our compressor motors are not designed to operate at this stalled condition. We require them to turn our compressors at a speed to meet with our cooling requirements. Motors are therefore usually designed to operate with a slip of approx. 4 % of full load speed. (Slip is the percentage of synchronous speed the motor is running at). This condition is termed the =91Full load speed=92 and the =91Rated full load power=92 of the motor. The power absorbed at this condition is termed the =91Full load amps or fla=92 This is usually in the region of one sixth of the locked rotor amps. The motor being designed to dissipate the internal heat at this condition without causing damage to the insulation of the motor windings. Allowance being made for short time overload and for starting.
Remember it=92s the temperature limitations of the motor windings that determine the maximum power of the motor. That=92s why we fit klixons and other temperature sensors as the fuses won=92t necessarily protect against overload
So if you switch on a motor direct on line (DOL) it will initially take up to 6 / 7 times the flc of the motor as this is in effect a stalled condition, admittedly normally for only for a very short time.
This starting current in most applications can be reduced by various means depending upon the torque / speed characteristics of the compressor or whatever the motor is connected to.
Some small motors are designed to operate at a stalled condition indefinitely, think of car door window winder motors and some control motors.
Hope this helps
[The site is:I don't follow the reference to car window motors. Isn't the power removed at the end of travel?
A little later today I'm going to stop worrying about car windows and the space station.
I will remove the jumper wire I placed on the air conditioner thermostat and reposition the sensor tube. The rubber block appears to be in its proper place, but maybe repositioning will stop the cycling. If it doesn't, I will order the Universal replacement thermostat.
Bob