What effect does supplying 170 volts to a 208/230 volt compressor have?

Supplying 170 volts to a compressor rated for 208/230 volts typically results in insufficient voltage being delivered to the motor. In this situation, the compressor will struggle to operate correctly because it is not receiving adequate voltage to start or run efficiently.

When the voltage is lower than what is required, the current drawn by the compressor will tend to increase in an attempt to maintain the necessary power output. This increased current can lead to several issues, primarily overheating. This overheating can activate protective devices, such as overload relays, causing the compressor to trip. Consequently, running consistently under these conditions can harm the compressor's components, potentially leading to damage over time.

Thus, supplying a voltage lower than the specified rating most directly causes the current to increase and may ultimately trip the overload protection, ensuring safety for the unit over prolonged operation.