Which motor has the shortest tap length from the gutter to the switch?

Which motor has the shortest tap length from the gutter to the switch?

• A. Motor 1
• B. Motor 2
• C. Motor 3
• D. All equal

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the length of the wiring between the gutter (the power source path) and the switch directly affects resistance and voltage drop in the control circuit. A shorter conductor run means less resistance and less voltage loss when the switch is operated, which helps the motor start and run reliably and reduces heat in the control wiring. Since Motor 1 is the closest to the gutter, it has the shortest tap length from the gutter to its switch. That’s why Motor 1 is the best answer. The other motors would have longer runs, leading to greater tap lengths and more voltage drop.

The key idea is that the length of the wiring between the gutter (the power source path) and the switch directly affects resistance and voltage drop in the control circuit. A shorter conductor run means less resistance and less voltage loss when the switch is operated, which helps the motor start and run reliably and reduces heat in the control wiring. Since Motor 1 is the closest to the gutter, it has the shortest tap length from the gutter to its switch. That’s why Motor 1 is the best answer. The other motors would have longer runs, leading to greater tap lengths and more voltage drop.