Detailed Notes: Starters for Three Phase Induction Motor
1. Necessity of Starters
When a three-phase induction motor is switched on directly to the supply, it draws very high starting current (5 to 7
times the full-load current).
This can cause excessive heating of the motor.
It may damage windings or cause a sudden voltage dip in the supply line.
To limit this current, starters are used.
A starter reduces the starting current by applying a reduced voltage to the motor during the initial period and
then gradually applying full supply voltage once the motor gains speed.
2. Direct-On-Line (DOL) Starter
Construction
Consists of a contactor, overload relay, fuses, and a start/stop push button.
The motor is directly connected to the full supply voltage through the contactor.
Protection devices are provided against overload and short-circuit.
Working
1. When the start button is pressed, the contactor closes, and full line voltage is applied to the motor.
2. The motor starts with a very high current (5–7 times full load current).
3. Once the motor runs, the contactor keeps supplying power until the stop button is pressed or overload relay
trips.
Diagram (to draw)
Three-phase supply connected to a contactor.
Contactor connected to motor terminals.
Overload relay in series with the motor.
Start/stop push buttons shown in the control circuit.
Advantages
Cheapest and simplest starter.
Easy to operate and reliable.
Disadvantages
Very high starting current → may damage supply or motor.
Only suitable for small motors (below 5 HP).
Applications
Small pumps, fans, blowers, and workshop machines.
3. Auto-Transformer Starter
Construction
Consists of a 3-phase auto-transformer with tappings (50%, 65%, 80%).
Contactors are used to switch between reduced voltage (via transformer) and full voltage.
Motor terminals first connected to secondary of auto-transformer.
Working
1. At start, motor is connected to reduced voltage through auto-transformer tap.
o Current drawn from supply is reduced depending on tap position.
o Starting torque also reduces.
2. As motor picks up speed (about 70–80%), the contactor changes connection from auto-transformer to direct
supply.
3. Motor then runs at rated voltage.
Diagram (to draw)
Three-phase supply → auto-transformer → motor (during starting).
Changeover contactor shown to bypass auto-transformer after starting.
Advantages
Starting current and torque can be adjusted by selecting tap (flexible).
Smooth starting compared to DOL and star-delta.
Disadvantages
Expensive (due to auto-transformer).
Bulky in size.
Applications
Suitable for large motors (above 15 HP) like compressors, pumps, and crushers.
4. Star-Delta Starter
Construction
Uses three contactors (Main, Star, Delta), a timer, and protection devices.
Motor designed for delta operation under normal conditions.
During starting, motor connected in star; later changed to delta.
Working
1. At the time of starting, the stator windings are connected in star.
o Each winding gets V/√3 voltage (i.e., 58% of line voltage).
o Hence, starting current is reduced to 1/3 of DOL starting current.
o But torque is also reduced to 1/3.
2. After the motor reaches about 80% of rated speed, the timer shifts the winding connection from star to
delta.
o Motor now receives full line voltage and develops full torque.
Diagram (to draw)
Power circuit: Three contactors connecting motor first in star and then in delta.
Control circuit: Timer and push buttons controlling the changeover.
Advantages
Economical and widely used.
Starting current reduced to 1/3.
Disadvantages
Starting torque also reduces to 1/3.
Not suitable for heavy-load starting.
Applications
Medium and large motors where load is not heavy at the start, e.g., pumps, blowers, textile machinery.
5. Rotor Resistance Starter (for Slip-Ring Induction Motor)
Construction
External variable resistors connected in series with rotor windings via slip rings.
Contactors and shorting switches are provided to cut out resistance gradually.
Working
1. At starting, full resistance is inserted in rotor circuit.
o This increases torque and reduces starting current.
2. As motor speeds up, resistances are gradually cut out in steps.
3. Finally, rotor is directly short-circuited, and motor runs normally.
Diagram (to draw)
Three-phase supply to stator.
Rotor connected to external resistance bank via slip rings.
Advantages
Provides high starting torque.
Smooth acceleration.
Disadvantages
Only applicable to slip-ring motors.
Resistors waste power as heat.
Applications
Cranes, hoists, elevators, conveyors, and heavy-duty applications.
Soft Starter
1. Introduction
A Soft Starter is an electronic device used to start and stop a three-phase induction motor smoothly by
gradually controlling the supply voltage.
Unlike traditional starters (DOL, Star-Delta, Auto-Transformer), which apply sudden voltage changes, a soft
starter increases the voltage gradually → reducing mechanical stress and electrical surges.
2. Construction / Components of Soft Starter
A typical soft starter consists of:
1. Thyristors (SCRs) – semiconductor switches connected in anti-parallel in each phase. They control the
amount of voltage supplied to the motor.
2. Control Circuit – microcontroller/logic circuit that generates gate signals for the thyristors.
3. Voltage Ramp Generator – ensures smooth, gradual increase of voltage from zero to rated value.
4. Protection Devices – over-current, under-voltage, and thermal protection.
5. Bypass Contactor – once motor reaches rated speed, bypasses thyristors to reduce heating losses.
3. Working Principle
Soft starter works on the principle of phase angle control of SCRs.
At the start:
o SCRs are triggered at a delayed angle → motor receives reduced RMS voltage.
o This lowers the starting current and torque.
As motor accelerates:
o Firing angle of SCRs is gradually advanced.
o Voltage increases smoothly until it reaches full rated voltage.
At rated speed:
o Bypass contactor connects motor directly to supply (to reduce SCR losses).
During stopping:
o Soft starter decreases voltage gradually → prevents sudden jerks (soft stop).
4. Block Diagram (to draw)
Power Circuit:
Three-phase supply → SCR pairs (per phase) → motor.
Bypass contactor across SCRs.
Control Circuit:
Microcontroller/logic → gate signals to SCRs.
Ramp generator → sets gradual voltage rise.
Protection devices connected.
5. Advantages of Soft Starter
Smooth acceleration and deceleration of motor.
Reduces mechanical stress on shaft, belts, couplings, and gears.
Lowers inrush current → less voltage dip in supply.
Compact and reliable compared to bulky electromechanical starters.
Increases motor and equipment life.
6. Disadvantages
More expensive than DOL and star-delta starters.
Generates harmonics (due to thyristor switching).
Not suitable for applications needing very high starting torque (e.g., crushers, mills).
7. Applications
Pumps (to avoid water hammer effect).
Fans and blowers.
Compressors.
Conveyors and belt-driven machinery.
HVAC systems.
Speed Control Methods of Three Phase Induction
Motor
The speed of a three-phase induction motor is given by:
N=120f/P*(1−s)
Where:
N = Speed of motor (rpm)
f = Supply frequency (Hz)
P = Number of poles
s = Slip
From this equation, speed can be controlled by:
1. Changing supply voltage
2. Changing number of poles
3. Varying rotor resistance
4. Changing supply frequency
1. Stator Voltage Control
Principle:
Torque developed in an induction motor is proportional to the square of the applied voltage (T∝V2T \propto
V^2).
By reducing stator voltage, torque reduces → motor runs at reduced speed under load.
Method:
Voltage is reduced using an autotransformer, tap-changing transformer, or electronic AC voltage
controller (thyristors).
Suitable for small motors or for applications where high starting torque is not required.
Advantages:
Simple method.
Inexpensive for small motors.
Disadvantages:
Poor speed regulation.
High copper losses in rotor.
Limited speed range.
Applications:
Fans, blowers, and pumps (where torque demand varies approximately with square of speed).
2. Pole Changing Method
Principle:
From the speed equation, N∝1PN \propto \frac{1}{P}.
By changing the number of poles in the stator winding, speed can be changed.
Method:
Specially designed stator windings are used:
o Two separate windings for different pole numbers.
o Or consequent-pole method, where the same winding is reconnected to change poles (e.g., from 4
poles → 8 poles).
Characteristics:
Gives discrete speeds only (e.g., 1500 rpm → 750 rpm).
Often used in applications requiring two-speed operation.
Applications:
Machine tools (lathes, milling).
Fans and pumps with two-speed operation.
3. Rotor Resistance Control
Principle:
Adding external resistance in the rotor circuit increases slip, which reduces speed.
Effective only in wound-rotor (slip-ring) induction motors.
Method:
External resistances are connected through slip rings.
By varying resistance, speed can be controlled smoothly below synchronous speed.
Advantages:
Simple and easy to implement.
Smooth speed control over a wide range.
High starting torque available.
Disadvantages:
High power loss in external resistors.
Low efficiency.
Applicable only to slip-ring motors (not squirrel cage).
Applications:
Hoists, cranes, elevators.
Loads requiring high starting torque and speed control for short duration.
4. Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Control
Principle:
From the speed equation, N∝fN \propto f.
By changing supply frequency using a VFD (power electronic inverter), motor speed can be controlled
smoothly above and below rated value.
Method:
Power electronic converters (rectifier + inverter) are used:
1. AC supply → Rectifier (DC).
2. DC → Inverter → Variable frequency AC.
Both voltage and frequency are varied in constant ratio (V/f control) to maintain flux.
Advantages:
Wide range of speed control (above and below rated speed).
High efficiency, excellent performance.
Precise and smooth control.
Energy saving in variable-torque loads (fans, pumps).
Disadvantages:
High initial cost.
Requires complex power electronics.
Applications:
HVAC systems.
Conveyor systems.
Pumps, compressors, and industrial automation.
