What component is used to adjust the speed of a multispeed motor?

The correct component for adjusting the speed of a multispeed motor is the tapped field winding. This component allows for different configurations of the field winding to be selected, which changes the amount of magnetic field strength produced by the motor. By altering the field strength at varying taps, the motor can operate at different speeds, facilitating the control necessary for applications that require varied speed settings.

In the context of single phase motors, especially those designed for versatility in operation, using a tapped field winding can be crucial. This method provides a straightforward means of speed adjustment without requiring complex electronic controls or varying the voltage applied to the motor.

Other components, such as capacitors, are primarily used for phase shift and power factor correction in single phase induction motors, while commutators are essential in DC motors for direction control rather than speed adjustment. Inductors can influence current flow but do not directly facilitate speed control in the way that a tapped field winding does.