"Nick" wrote:

As a matter of interest. The grinder nameplate says 'split phase
motor'. What does this mean? I know UK and US electrickery is
vastly
different but I've never seen this before.
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"John McCoy" wrote:

A split-phase motor is a single phase motor with a starting
winding. Almost invariably they also have a starting capacitor,
and are usually called capacitor start motors.
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Sorry but split phase motors NEVER have capacitors.

They depend on the phase shift between rotor and stator to develop
a limited amout of starting torque when starting.

Typical split phase applications would be running cooling fans which
require only limited amounts of starting torque.

Single phase motors can be equipped with a starting capacitor which
switches out when the rotor reaches operating RPM. They are known
as cap start motors.

These motors are used for high starting torque applications and are
more expensive than split phase motors of the same size.

There are also motors known as cap start, cap run motors.

Cap start, cap run motors allow the motor designer to squeeze more
HP from a given frame size.

Typical applications would include a table saw where a 2 HP,
3450 RPM, 56 frame, 240 V will just fit into a 10" contractor's saw.

This shoe horning of a large frame in a small space uses cap start,
cap run technology.

Lew