A motor is controlled by a start/stop station. If the operator pushes the start button and the contactor energizes but the motor does not run. This is most likely a ____ problem.

A motor is controlled by a start/stop station. If the operator pushes the start button and the contactor energizes but the motor does not run. This is most likely a ____ problem.

• A. Power
• B. control
• C. wiring
• D. mechanical

Answer: (A)

When the start/stop station energizes the coil, the control side is working—the contactor closes and the power path to the motor should be live. If the motor doesn’t turn despite the coil energizing, the fault lies in delivering power to the motor or within the motor circuit, not in the control circuit itself. The most likely issue is a power problem: for example, a blown fuse, an open overload in the motor circuit, a disconnected supply, or a wiring fault in the main power path. To verify, check for voltage at the motor terminals when the start button is pressed and inspect fuses/disconnects and overloads. Mechanical interference is possible but less likely given that the contactor has already closed; the first thing to identify is the power path to the motor.

When the start/stop station energizes the coil, the control side is working—the contactor closes and the power path to the motor should be live. If the motor doesn’t turn despite the coil energizing, the fault lies in delivering power to the motor or within the motor circuit, not in the control circuit itself. The most likely issue is a power problem: for example, a blown fuse, an open overload in the motor circuit, a disconnected supply, or a wiring fault in the main power path. To verify, check for voltage at the motor terminals when the start button is pressed and inspect fuses/disconnects and overloads. Mechanical interference is possible but less likely given that the contactor has already closed; the first thing to identify is the power path to the motor.