"Dan Bollinger" wrote in message
...
The reversing switch changes
the polarity of the starting capacitor. When the motor is running, the
starting capacity is not energized, hence reversing it has no effect on
the running motor.

That's it! All it sees is a power interruption until it's coasted down
enough to kick in the centrifugal switch. Sees 120 of those every minute
anyway. Once the switch is in you enter the zone of uncertainty where
issues are sometimes decided after an exchange of smoke signals....

Now how about one rigged with a start/run capacitor.