Electric Motors – Single Phase, Split Phase
An early mid 20th century, split phase, affordable, induction motor, for general utility applications, built for an open, FHP electric motor market for use on light duty power equipment around the house, shop and farm. With hefty 1/3 horsepower rating, it serves as a marker of the vast in roads made by electro motive technology on every nook and cranny of popular Canadian life style by the 1950’s, Delco, Circa 1956.
Features:
Shop service tag in Howard Olivers hand writing “Checks OK Jan, 75; Original wiring harness illustrating electrical wiring practices of the period
Technical Significance:
A remarkable, yet un- remarkable piece of electro motive technology of its time. It would be remarkable in the state of motive technology it represented, a level of remarkable achievement in engineering, mass production, and marketing as popular consumer product, all achieved in less then two decades [see ID#280]. Yet built for a low cost market, it would be quite un-remarkable in its lack of function and feature characterizing special purpose motors of the same period, including high starting torque, automatic over heat protection.
It defines the engineering design idiom for split-phase, low starting torque, motor technology employed throughout the middle years of the 20th century, in general utility applications for home, shop and farm, moving through the mature years of this genre towards the end of the century, when a new genre would progressively emerge, smaller, lighter and more energy efficient.
