In a reversing starter, how are the main contacts connected for the motor?

In a reversing starter, the main contacts are configured in such a way that they can switch the connections to the motor windings in an opposite manner. This interchange of connections allows the motor to reverse its direction of rotation.

When the main contacts are interchanged, one side of the motor is connected to one phase while the other winding is connected to the opposite phase. This means that by simply reversing the potential across the motor windings, the magnetic field is reversed, which in turn reverses the motor's rotation.

This configuration is critical in applications where changing the direction of rotation is necessary, enabling operators to manage the motor's operation effectively. The other options—such as connecting in series, parallel, or conjunction—do not facilitate this necessary reversal of direction for the motor, which is the primary function of a reversing starter.