•	The Hitachi control box has considerably lower capacitance than the Franklin Electric control box. Total start capacitance is 60% of Franklin’s, and run capacitance is only 50% of Franklin’s.
	•	The Hitachi control box does not contain a lightning arrestor.
	•	The Hitachi control box does not have a start-winding overload.

The lower start capacitance in the Hitachi control box will also reduce the starting torque of a Franklin Electric motor, and may cause starting problems in certain installations.

In addition, the reduced motor protection capability of the Hitachi control box is not optimum for Franklin motors. Franklin Electric recommends the use of lightning arrestors and proper overload protection in all submersible motor applications.

Conversely, Franklin Electric warned in September 2000 that 15 HP Hitachi motors will also cause premature failure of Franklin's 15 HP control boxes.

NOTE: This alert specifically addresses single-phase, 15 HP Hitachi control boxes used with Franklin Electric motors. Similar problems could exist on other ratings or with other competitive product. Franklin Electric motors should only be used with the recommended Franklin Electric control boxes for proper performance, reliability, and warranty.

As part of our program of continuous improvement, Franklin Electric has changed the run capacitance in our 5 HP 60 Hz control box from 60mfd to 80mfd, effective January 1, 2001. Control boxes with the capacitor change start with date codes 01A and will not have a model number change.

What led to this change was the rapid pulsating torque inherent to a single-phase motor’s rotating field. This pulsating torque can contribute to torsional stressing of the motor shaft, coupling, and pump shaft. Franklin Electric believes that a reduction of torsional stress by minimizing torque pulsations will result in a better quality system in the field. Franklin is making a contribution in this direction by changing the run capicitance to reduce torque pulsations in 5 HP 60 Hz single-phase motors.

Submersible motor, coupling and pump components should be selected with consideration to the effects of single-phase pulsating torque. Other factors influencing torsional stress include pump-shaft length, critical speed, material properties, and surface finish, as well as shaft alignment, coupling attachment, pump loading, and corrosion. Since pulsating torque is only one of many factors affecting shaft stress, this capacitor change by Franklin Electric on the 5 HP control box motor will assist pump designers by reducing, but not eliminating, the stress of single-phase torque pulsations on 4” motor shaft, coupling, and pump shaft systems. For 6” systems, the masses and dimensions are much larger, and consequently torsional stress due to pulsating torque is typically not a major consideration in pump system design.

The new 5 HP control boxes are compatible with 4” and 6” 5HP motors currently in the field. The start winding in the 5 HP 4” motor will be slightly modified, but this motor will be compatible with 5 HP control boxes currently in the field.

A 40 mfd capacitor kit (2 required) is available under the part number 305203914.

The changes in electrical specifications of the 4” and 6” motors can be found on page 13 of the online AIM Manual.