Caps at power switch

[Laudanum]

This is related to my second turntable but it's more of a general question.  My headphone system deck was bought used.  I decided to go over it well yesterday and do some maint.  It's a Rega clone belt drive.  It was occassionally starting up in reverse so I figured the motor cap was going.  I opened it up and the .22uf film cap measured fine but I replaced anyway with a same value and voltage film cap.  
I then took a look at the power switch.  It's a double pole, both hot and neutral are switched.  And there are two .01uf film cap's, one across each line - load  contact pair.  I noticed that one of leads of one of the caps wasnt soldered.  So I corrected that with some solder.  

My questions ...  I dont think that the caps at the switch would control the direction of the motors rotation, or would they?   What is the purpose of placing caps across the power switch terminals as I have described?  Is it to help control "pops" on turn on and turn off?

The motor consistently rotates in the correct direction now so it's fixed.  But I dont think the .22uf cap was bad, although it's possible I guess.  There were a couple of terminal strip screws loose, and I think that was probably the problem.  Unless, the caps at the switch do indeed help control rotation in which case the oversight at the factory to solder that one cap lead probably was the cause.

Anyway ... enlighten me please as to the purpose/purposes of the small caps across the power switch terminals.

Thanks

[Grainger49]

Ok, the caps at the switch keep it from popping through your system when you turn the table on or off.  The cap for the motor, 0.22uF, changes the voltage angle to give it startup torque.  The rotation of the table is supposed to be controlled by the motor.  Most AC motors for fans and turntables are "shaded pole" motors that will run only one direction.  Imagine turning on a fan and it turns the wrong direction.  

Sounds like the 0.22uF was bad and the motor didn't get the right torque at startup.

BTW, I have changed out and added ceramic 0.01uF caps to a number of power switches to eliminate the "thump."  It works like a charm with a good cap.

[Laudanum]

The table doesnt pop when I turn it off or on so I guess the .01 film caps at the switch are working.  Well, actually there was a tiny "snap" once in a while when I turned it either on or off, cant remember which.  Maybe it was that unsoldered lead.  Anyway, those are ok.

Since replacing that .22uf cap, it hasnt started in the wrong direction so maybe it will stay that way.  It was a film cap and measured fine, but whatever works I guess.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.


Thanks Grainger.

[Grainger49]

Sounds like you got it fixed.  The cap might measure well with the low voltage DC from the meter but break down with 120V AC on it.