Might be worth installing a 3 Phase Motor in place of the 1 Phase Motor - provided there is 3 Phase Power available on site.
From the description of "Industrial Trash Compactor", this equipment appears to be installed in at least a Commercial location.
Additionally, one would think an Industrial Compactor would have a 3 Phase Motor driving the Pump - especially with the 10 H.P. Motor rating!
If a 3 Phase Motor is absolutely impossible to use, and this Equipment must use a 10 H.P. 240V 1 Phase Motor, try installing a Motor configuration which applies to the duty cycle.
Some possible reasons for the Start Switch's failure:
* Motor HP is insufficient for the driven Load,
* Voltage at the Motor's Terminals is below / above maximum tolerance,
* Capacitor is shorting out during start,
* Start Switch is not opening completely, contacts are bouncing when opening, or the Switch is opening too late,
* Pump is not "Unloaded" when Motor starts (high head pressure),
* Pump's bearings are tight, or sticking during Starts,
* Personnel running the Compactor are mis-using it (stop, then immediately start in the middle of the compression action; etc.),
* Control system does not allow Motor to stop completely & rest at end of Compression (forward) action, before applying the Pump / Motor to retract the Compression Assembly (reverse).
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Take some Ampere readings, along with Voltage readings, at the Motor. Take readings during Starts (forward + reverse) and throughout the entire cycle of events.
Verify the load readings and durations.
Try these tests at different times of the day - such as off-peak AM / PM, mid-peak AM / PM, peak. Perform tests during normal work days.
An event logger would be very useful for these tests.
Just hook it up, turn it on, let it record for a week or two, then read the reports.
Along with the tests, observe the normal operation techniques by the Personnel using the Equipment. See if they are mis-using the Machine.
The problem sounds like an excessive Locked Rotor draw issue.
The Motor could be having difficulty with starts at random times, such as; the Voltage is too low during certain starts, or the Pump is difficult to start.
As mentioned before, the Motor may not be designed for this type of duty, or may be undersized - in Horse Power - for the Pump it is driving.
Verify the Pump's requirements and the Motor's duty cycle.
Lastly, if the Motor is rated for 240V and there is only 208V available, this may be the major issue overall.
Please reply with some feedback.
Good luck.
Scott
