DE3732214

In a single phase AC induction motor having a main winding (1) and an auxiliary winding (2) both connectable to an AC power source (4), and having a start switch (6, 74) for automatically connecting and disconnecting the auxiliary winding (2) to and from the AC source (4) in starting and running modes, respectively, and having a user operated reversing switch (207-212) for reversing the voltage polarity applied from the AC source (4) to one of the windings relative to the other winding, low cost circuitry is provided for detecting the polarity reversal by sensing when one of the main and auxiliary winding voltages shifts from a leading to a lagging position relative to the other winding voltage, whereupon the circuit automatically instantly reconnects the auxiliary winding (2) to the AC source (4) to immediately apply reverse torque. A first voltage comparator (221) senses a given polarity and magnitude of main winding voltage, and a second voltage comparator (222) senses a given polarity and magnitude of auxiliary winding voltage. The output of the second comparator (222) is differentiated (282), and a third voltage comparator (223) compares output pulses (270) from the first comparator (221) and differentiated output pulses (288) from the second comparator (222) and instantaneously senses polarity reversal when one of the pulses shifts relative to the other, and in turn actuates the start switch (6, 74).