PANIMALAR ENGINEERING COLLGE

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

II YEAR / III SEMESTER

ELECTRICAL DRIVES AND CONTROL

UNIT - III

STARTING METHODS
 Starting methods for ac and dc motors

Starting methods of dc motors

Need for Starter in case of DC motor

At starting, when the motor is stationary, there is no back e.m.f. (Eb = 0) in the armature.
Consequently, if the motor is directly switched on to the mains, the armature will draw a heavy current
(Ia = V/Ra) because of small armature resistance. This current will damage the motor.
V  Eb
The voltage and current equation of dc motor is given by V  Eb  I a Ra , Ia 
Ra
Where, Eb - Back emf, Ra - Armature resistance, V - Supply voltage

V  Eb V
From the voltage equation, current drawn by dc motor is I a    Eb = 0 (Starting)
Ra Ra
This high starting current may result in:
(i) Burning of armature due to excessive heating effect,
(ii) Damaging the commutator and brushes due to heavy sparking,
(iii) Excessive voltage drops in the line to which the motor is connected.

In order to avoid excessive current at starting, a variable resistance (known as starting resistance)
is inserted in series with the armature circuit. This resistance is gradually reduced as the motor gains
speed (and hence Eb increases) and eventually it is cut out completely when the motor has attained full
speed.

As an example, 5H.P, 220V shunt motor has a full-load current of 20A and an armature resistance
of about 0.5 Ω. If this motor is directly switched on to supply, it would take an armature current of
220/0.5 = 440 A which is 22 times the full-load current.

The starting operation of a d.c. motor consists in the insertion of external resistance into the
armature circuit to limit the starting current taken by the motor and the removal of this resistance in steps
as the motor accelerates. When the motor attains the normal speed, this resistance is totally cut out of the
armature circuit. It is very important and desirable to provide the starter with protective devices to enable
the starter arm to return to OFF position

(i) When the supply fails, thus preventing the armature being directly across the mains when this voltage
is restored. For this purpose, we use no-volt release coil.
(ii) When the motor becomes overloaded or develops a fault causing the motor to take an excessive
current. For this purpose, we use overload release coil.

Types of dc motor starters

There are three types of starters namely:
1. Two point starter
2. Three point starter
3. Four point starter

Two point starter

The two point starter is used to start the dc Series motor

The two types of TWO point starter

1). 2- Point starter with No Load Protection 2). 2-Point starter with No Volt Protection
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 TWO Point Starter with No Load Protection

A two point starter is used for starting a DC series motor which has the problem of over-speeding
due to the loss of load from its shaft. At this point, we have to keep in mind that, a DC series motor never
be started without load. A two point starter is shown below.

Handle

Series field

Typical Control Circuit for Starting DC Series Motor using TWO point starter with No Load Protection

Here for starting the motor, the control arm is moved clockwise from its OFF position to the ON
position against the spring tension. The control arm is held in the ON position by an electromagnet. The
Hold ON electromagnet is connected in series with the armature circuit. If the motor loses its load,
current decreases and hence the strength of the electromagnet also decreases. The control arm returns to
the OFF position due to spring tension, thus preventing the motor from over-speeding. The starter arm
also returns to the OFF position when the supply voltage decreases appreciably. The L and A or F are
the starter terminals which are connected with the supply and motor terminals.
L – Line (Supply) F – Field A – Armature

No load protection:

When the DC series motor is started without any load, the starting current is very low due to the
absence of load, the No-Load armature current is very low because of starting resistance. Since the
magnet is not sufficiently energized to attract the starting handle. So, if the starter handle is placed at run
position it returns back to the off position due to spring action. The DC series motor is now switched off
and No Load protection is thus accomplished.

TWO Point Starter with No Volt Protection

This is a special starter with three terminals such as L1, L2 and A

L1 - Terminal that is connected with supply main
L2 - Terminal that is connected to a resistance R and No Volt magnet.
A - The terminal that is connected to armature and series field

The operation this starter is similar to the two point starter with no load protection. Now handle is
gradually moved from off position, full starting resistance is connected to armature of the dc series motor
and the high starting current is limited. Finally handle reach the RUN position. Where the entire starting
resistance is removed from the series circuit. The handle is kept at run position due to the presence of No-
Volt magnet, which is connected across the DC supply through the resistance R. If there is no resistance
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then No-Volt magnet circuit acts as a short circuit. The starting resistance is connected to terminal A. The
terminal A is connected to series field winding and armature of DC series motor.

Series field

Typical Control Circuit for Starting DC Series Motor using TWO point starter with No Volt Protection

No Volt Protection

When supply fails the No-Volt magnet that is connected in parallel across the supply gets de-
energized. As a result it releases the starter handle: So the starter handle reaches the off position,
protecting the DC series motor from No-Volt. If No-Volt protection is not there, the starter handle
remains at Run position. When supply returns the DC series motor is directly connected across the supply
producing high starting current.

Three Point Starter

This type of starter is widely used for starting shunt and compound motors.

Schematic diagram
Fig. shows the schematic diagram of a three-point starter for a shunt motor with protective
devices. It is so called because it has three terminals L, F and A. The starter consists of starting resistance
divided into several sections and connected in series with the armature. The tapping points of the starting
resistance are brought out to a number of studs. The three terminals L, F and A of the starter are
connected respectively to the positive line terminal, shunt field terminal and armature terminal. The other
terminals of the armature and shunt field windings are connected to the negative terminal of the supply.

The no-volt release coil is connected in the shunt field circuit. One end of the handle is connected
to the terminal L through the over-load release coil. The other end of the handle moves against a spiral
spring and makes contact with each stud during starting operation, cutting out more and more starting
resistance as it passes over each stud in clockwise direction.

Operation
(i) To start with, the d.c. supply is switched on with handle in the OFF position.
(ii) The handle is now moved clockwise to the first stud. As soon as it comes in contact with the first
stud, the shunt field winding is directly connected across the supply, while the whole starting
resistance is inserted in series with the armature circuit.
(iii) As the handle is gradually moved over to the final stud, the starting resistance is cut out of the
armature circuit in steps. The handle is now held magnetically by the no-volt release coil which is
energized by shunt field current.
(iv) If the supply voltage is suddenly interrupted or if the field excitation is accidentally cut, the no-volt
release coil is demagnetized and the handle goes back to the OFF position under the pull of the
spring. If no-volt release coil were not used, then in case of failure of supply, the handle would
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 remain on the final stud. If then supply is restored, the motor will be directly connected across the
supply, resulting in an excessive armature current.
(v) If the motor is over-loaded (or a fault occurs), it will draw excessive current from the supply. This
current will increase the ampere-turns of the over-load release coil and pull the armature C, thus short-
circuiting the no volt release coil. The no-volt coil is demagnetized and the handle is pulled to the OFF
position by the spring. Thus, the motor is automatically disconnected from the supply.

Three point starter

Drawback
In a three-point starter, the no-volt release coil is connected in series with the shunt field circuit so
that it carries the shunt field current. During speed control, speed is varied through field regulator; the
field current may be weakened to such an extent that the no-volt release coil may not be able to keep the
starter arm in the ON position. This may disconnect the motor from the supply when it is not desired.
This drawback is overcome in the four point starter.

Four Point Starter

The disadvantage of a three point starter is overcome in a four point starter by connecting the
hold-on coil across the line instead of in series with the shunt field circuit. This makes a wide range of
field adjustments possible.

The connection diagram for a four point starter is shown in Fig. Therefore, when the starting arm
touches the starting resistance, current from the supply is divided into three paths. One through the
starting resistance and armature, one through the field circuit and one through the NVR coil.

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 A protective resistance is connected in series with the NVR coil (or) Hold-on magnet coil. With
this arrangement, any change of current in the shunt filed circuit not at all affect the current passing
through the HOLD-ON coil because the two circuits are independent of each other. It means that the
electromagnetic pull exerted by the Hold-on coil will always be sufficient and will prevent the spring
from restoring the starting arm to OFF position no matter how the field rheostat or regulator is adjusted.

Four point starter

The starter terminals are

L+ or L1 – Terminal that is connected to supply (Line)
L- or L2 – Terminal that is connected to the No volt coil (NVR or NVC)
F – Terminal that is connected to shunt field winding
A – Terminal that is connected to the armature of the motor

Function of over load release (OLR) or Over Current magnet (OC)

When the load on motor increases above the rated limit then the armature takes high current.
When the motor is left unprotected from this high current, then it is damaged, the over current magnet is
used for this protection. When there is high current due to over load or due to short circuit the over
current magnet is energized and attracts soft iron rod H. As a result, the soft, iron rod H closes the switch
S. When the switch S is closed, it short circuits the No-Volt magnet. As a result No Volt magnet is de-
energized and release the starter handle to the Off position. So the motor is switched off' and protected
from the over current or high current.

Function of No volt release (NVR) or No volt coil (NVC)

The No Volt magnet keeps starter handle at run position against the control spring. The No-Volt
magnet attracts the soft iron bar placed in the handle. The No-Volt magnet is energized by the .current
flowing through the field circuit. If there is no No-Volt magnet the starter handle is pulled back the Off
position by the control spring and the motor Point Starter is switched Off.

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Typical control circuit for dc shunt motor
The armature has been shown connected directly across the lines through resistance R. When the
START-push button is pressed, the main contactor M gets energized by getting supply through the
START-push button and the OLR. As soon as the contactor closes, normally open contact M1 will close
and act as seal-in contact while the releasing of Start push button. The M will remain energized by getting
supply through holding contact M1 which has been connected in parallel with the START-push button. It
may be understood that ON delay timer T also energized, after certain time delay T will closed. Now
starting resistance R connected in series with armature were removed (shorted). The dc motor operates
rated condition. In case of any emergency stop or operation is completed, press the STOP push button to
stop the motor. Normal operating condition over load release not energized, there is any sudden increase
in load (above the rated load or current), now OLR get energized and corresponding OLR contact opened
which results the armature supply disconnected and motor is stopped.

OLR

T
T
OLR

Typical control circuit for dc shunt motor

Counter EMF Starter

These starters are economical and perform well for small motors up to 5 hp rating. These starters
use voltage relays to cut off resistance from the armature circuit in steps. Voltage relays are voltage
sensitive and they can be set to pick up at any desired voltage level. In this type of starter counter emf
generated in armature is utilised to energise voltage accelerating relays. These relays are connected in
parallel with the armature of the motor as shown in Fig.

When motor just starts, counter emf in the armature is zero. As the motor accelerates, counter emf
also starts building up. The accelerating voltage relays 1AR, 2AR and 3AR are set to pick up at different
increasing values of emf and their contacts energise contactors 1A, 2A and 3A to cut off resistance R1, R2,
R3 from armature circuit. In the four step starter shown in Fig., the voltage accelerating relays may be set
to pick up at 50, 75 and 90 percent rated speed. The working of the control is explained as under:

When the START-push button is pressed, contacotor M is energised and it gets hold through its
own contact M2. Its main contact M1 energises the armature with resistance R1, R2 and R3 in the circuit.
The motor accelerates and when say 50% of the normal speed is reached, emf generated causes the relay
1AR to pick up. Contact of 1AR closes to energise contactor 1A which shorts resistance R1 through its
main contact 1A1. Due to cutting of resistance R1, the motor accelerates further and at 75% of normal
speed counter emf generated makes the relay 2AR to pick up. When 2AR picks up contact 2A1 of
contactor 2A closes and shorts resistance R2. Thus the motor accelerates still further and at 90% of the
normal speed, relay 3AR picks up and thus the third resistance R3 is short circuited by contactor 3A. Now
the motor gets connected directly to the lines and reaches its final speed.

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 Circuit diagram for counter EMF starter for a dc motor

Starter Resistance Step Calculations for D.C. Shunt Motor

Fig. shows a d.c. shunt motor starter with n resistance sections and (n + 1) studs.

Let R1 = Total resistance in the armature circuit when the starter arm is on stud no.1 (See Fig.)
R2 = Total resistance in the armature circuit when the starter arm is on stud no.2 and so on
Im = Maximum or Upper current limit
I = Lower current limit
n = Number of sections in the starter resistance
V = Applied voltage
Ra = Armature resistance

On stud 1. When the starter arm-moves to stud 1, the total resistance in the armature circuit is R1 and the
circuit current jumps to maximum values Im given by;
V
Im 
R1
Since, torque  Ia, it follows that the maximum torque acts on the armature to accelerate it. As the
armature accelerates, the induced e.m.f. (back e.m.f.) increases and the armature current decreases when
the current has fallen to the predetermined value I, the starter arm is moved over to stud 2. Let the value
of back e.m.f. be Eb1 at the instant the starter arm leaves the stud 1. Then current I is given by;
V  E b1
I
R1
On stud 2. As the starter arm moves over to stud 2, sufficient resistance is cut out (now total circuit
resistance is R2) and current rises to maximum value Im once again given by;
V  Eb1
Im 
R2
The acceleration continues and the back e.m.f. increases and the armature current decreases.
When the current has fallen to the predetermined value I, the starter arm is moved over to stud 3. Let Eb2
be the value of back e.m.f. at the instant the starter arm leaves the stud 2. Then,
V  Eb 2
I
R2

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9
Starting of Three Phase Induction Motors
In the case of an induction motor, at start when the rotor is at standstill, the squirrel cage rotor is
just like a short circuited secondary. Therefore, the current in the rotor circuit will be very high and at the
same time, the stator also will draw a high current from the supply lines if full line voltage were applied
at start.

The magnitude of this current depends on the electrical design of the motor and is independent of
the mechanical load. The duration of starting current, however, depends upon the time required for
acceleration, which in turn depends on the nature of the driven load.

Modern well designed induction motors will usually take about 5 to 7 times the rated full load
current at the starting if rated voltage is applied to it. Best way to reduce the starting current is to apply
reduced voltage across the stator winding at start. With the reduction in voltage applied to the stator of an
induction motor, the short circuit current will be reduced in the same proportion.

The major factor to be considered if we employ reduced voltage for starting of squirrel cage
induction motor is the large reduction in starting torque, since starting torque is proportional to the square
of applied voltage. Whether or not such a large reduction in starting torque is permissible will depend
upon the applications.

There are several methods of starting of three phase induction motors.

The most commonly used methods are given below:
Squirrel cage induction motors
(1) Primary resistor starters
(2) Direct on line starters (DOL)
(3) Auto transformer starters or Auto starter
(4) Start-delta starter (Y-)

Slip ring induction motors

(1) Rotor rheostat starter or Rotor resistance starter

Primary resistor starters

The use of primary resistors is to drop some voltage arid hence reduce the voltage applied across
the motor terminals. In this way, the initial current drawn by the motor is reduced (Fig.). By using
primary resistors, the applied voltage per phase can be reduced by a fraction ‘x’, then

I st  xI sc where, Ist – Starting current

2 2
Tst  I st   xI 
 s f   sc  sf If – Full load current
T f  I f   I
 f


2
Tst  I sc 
 x2   sf Isc - Short circuit current or DOL current
Tf I 
 f 
sf – Slip at full load
x – fraction of load or % tapping or reduced voltage

The ratio of the starting torque to full load torque is x2 times of that obtained with direct switching
or across the line starting. This method is useful for the smooth starting of small machines only.

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With protective device
The Fig. shows the connection for starting squirrel cage induction motor using primary resistors
with protective devices incorporated. It consists of three line starters, two sets of three line contactors,
two contactors, a timing relay, overload protection, a push-button station and several auxiliary contacts.

3 Supply

Main Switch

Stator

Rotor

Primary resistor starter

Direct on line Starters (DOL)

This is the most economical method of starting of induction motors. Squirrel cage motors of
capacity upto 2 kW, double cage motors and squirrel cage motors of larger capacity having very high
rotor resistance are started by this method. As the name implies, this method refers to switching the motor
directly on to the supply without using any device for reducing the starting current. Now, the starting
torque is given by

Rotor input = 2Ns T = kT But Rotor Cu loss = s × Rotor input

(I ' ) 2
3 ( I ' 2 ) 2 R2  s  kT or T  2
s
I st2
Starting torque Tst  (I ' 2  I 1 )
s
If Ist is the starting current, then starting torque (Tst) is Tst  I st2 (at starting s = 1)
If If is the full-load current and sf is the full-load slip, then,
2
I2 Tst  I st 
Tst  st ,  sf
s T f  I f 
When the motor is started direct-on-line, the starting current is equal to the short-circuit (blocked-
rotor) current Isc.
2
Tst  I sc 
 sf
T f  I f 
Note that starting current is as large as five times the full-load current but starting torque is just
equal to the full-load torque. Therefore, starting current is very high and the starting torque is

11
comparatively low. If this large starting current flows for a long time, it may overheat the motor and
damage the insulation

Typical Control circuit of DOL Starter

A DOL starter with protective devices included. To start the motor, it is merely necessary to press
the START button. This energies the M contactor through the overload relay contacts OL (normally
closed) which, in turn, close the main contacts M. Contacts M1 many also close to seal the main
contactor, so that the START button may be released. Overload protection is provided by two thermal
elements OL place in the motor leads. If there is any overload, motor may get overheated and now at this
instant, thermal elements open the OL contacts in the control circuit to de-energize the main coil. This
opens the M contacts and disconnects the motor from the supply.

OLR OLR

Direct on-Line Starter: (a) Power circuit (b) Control circuit

Auto transformer starter

These starters are also called as auto-starters (or) compensators. It consists of an auto-transformer
with necessary switches. This method can be used for both star and delta connected motors. Reduced
voltage for starting can be obtained form three auto transformers connected in star as shown in Fig. If the
voltage is reduced to a fraction x of the rated voltage V, the motor starting current is I st  xI sc

The tapping on the autotransformer is so set that when it is in the circuit, 65% to 80% of line
voltage is applied to the motor. At the instant of starting, the change-over switch is thrown to “start”
position. This puts the autotransformer in the circuit and thus reduced voltage is applied to the circuit.
Consequently, starting current is limited to safe value. When the motor attains about 80% of normal
speed, the changeover switch is thrown to “run” position. This takes out the autotransformer from the
circuit and puts the motor to full line voltage. Autotransformer starting has several advantages viz low
power loss, low starting current and less radiated heat. For large machines (over 25 H.P.), this method of
starting is often used. Auto-transformers may be either manually or magnetically operated.

Relation between starting and F.L. Torques. Consider a star-connected squirrel cage induction
motor. If V is the line voltage, then voltage across motor phase on direct switching is V/3 and starting
current is Ist = Isc. In case of autotransformer, if a tapping of transformation ratio K (a fraction) is used,
then phase voltage across motor is xV / 3 and Ist = x Isc,

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 Start Run

Autotransformer Starter

I st  xI sc
2 2 2
Tst  I st   xI  Tst  I sc 
 s f   sc  sf or  x2   sf
T f  I f   I
 f

 Tf I
 f



It is found that while the starting torque is reduced to a fraction x2 of that obtainable by direct
starting, the starting line current is also reduced by the same fraction. Compared to the primary resistors
starting, the line current reduces further a fraction x while torque remains the same. The auto-transformer
starting is much superior to primary resistors starting. Also smooth starting and high acceleration are
possible by gradually raising the voltage to the full line value.

Star-delta starting
The stator winding of the motor is designed for delta operation and is connected in star during the
starting period. When the machine is up to speed, the connections are changed to delta. The circuit
arrangement for star-delta starting is shown in Fig.

The six leads of the stator windings are connected to the changeover switch as shown. At the
instant of starting, the changeover switch is thrown to “Start” position which connects the stator windings
in star. Therefore, each stator phase gets V/3 volts where V is the line voltage. This reduces the starting
current. When the motor picks up speed, the changeover switch is thrown to “Run” position which
connects the stator windings in delta. Now each stator phase gets full line voltage V.

The disadvantages of this method are:

(a) With star-connection during starting, stator phase voltage is 1/3 times the line voltage.
Consequently, starting torque is (1/3)2 or 1/3 times the value it would have with -connection.
This is rather a large reduction in starting torque.
(b) The reduction in voltage is fixed.

This method of starting is used for medium-size machines (upto 25 H.P.).

Relation between starting and F.L. Torques. In direct delta starting,

Starting current/phase, Isc = V/Zsc Starting line current = 3 Isc where V = line voltage

In star starting, we have,

V/ 3 1
Starting current/phase, I st   I sc
Z sc 3

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 Star – Delta Starter

2
 I 
2 2
Tst  I st  Tst 1  I sc 
 s f   sc  s or   sf
T f  I f   3I
 f
 f
 T f 3  I f 


Where Isc = starting phase current (delta), If = F.L. phase current (delta)
Note that in star-delta starting, the starting line current is reduced to one-third as compared to
starting with the winding delta connected. Further, starting torque is reduced to one-third of that
obtainable by direct delta starting. This method is cheap but limited to applications where high starting
torque is not necessary e.g., machine tools, pumps etc.

It is clear that the star-delta starting reduces the starting torque to one to one third that obtainable
by direct delta starting and also the starting line current the star-delta starter is equivalent to an auto-
transformer of ratio of 1/3 or 58% tapping approximately.

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Starting of slip ring induction motors
Rotor rheostat starter or Rotor resistance starter
The slip ring motors are practically always started with full line voltage applied across the stator
terminals. The value of starting current is adjusted by introducing a variable resistance in the rotor circuit.
The controlling resistance is in the form of rheostat connected in star (Fig.), the resistance being
gradually cut out of the rotor circuit as the motor gathers speed.

By increasing the rotor resistance, riot only the motor current is reduced at starting but at the same
time torque is also increased due to improvement in power factor. The rheostat is either of stud or
contactor type and may be hand operated or automatic.

The introduction of additional external resistance in the rotor circuit enables slip ring motor to
develop a high starting torque with reasonable starting current. Hence, such motors can be started under
load.
When the motor runs under normal conditions the rings are short circuited and brushes will be
automatically lifted from them.

Slip-ring motors are invariably started by rotor resistance starting. In this method, a variable star-
connected rheostat is connected in the rotor circuit through slip rings and full voltage is applied to the
stator winding as shown in Fig.
(i) At starting, the handle of rheostat is set in the OFF position so that maximum resistance is
placed in each phase of the rotor circuit. This reduces the starting current and at the same
time starting torque is increased.

(ii) As the motor picks up speed, the handle of rheostat is gradually moved in clockwise
direction and cuts out the external resistance in each phase of the rotor circuit. When the
motor attains normal speed, the change-over switch is in the ON position and the whole
external resistance is cut out from the rotor circuit.

Rotor resistance starter

Slip-Ring Motors Vs Squirrel Cage Motors

The slip-ring induction motors have the following advantages over the squirrel cage motors:
(i) High starting torque with low starting current.
(ii) Smooth acceleration under heavy loads.
(iii) No abnormal heating during starting.
(iv) Good running characteristics after external rotor resistances are cut out.
(v) Adjustable speed.

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The disadvantages of slip-ring motors are:
(i) The initial and maintenance costs are greater than those of squirrel cage motors.
(ii) The speed regulation is poor when run with resistance in the rotor circuit

SOFT STARTER
A softstarter has different characteristics to the other starting methods. It has thyristors in the
main circuit, and the motor voltage is regulated with a printed circuit board. The softstarter makes use of
the fact that when the motor voltage is low during start, the starting current and starting torque is also
low.
The soft starter eliminates unnecessary jerks during the start. Gradually, the voltage and the
torque increase so that the machinery starts to accelerate One of the benefits with this starting method is
the possibility to adjust the torque to the exact need, whether the application is loaded or not. In principle
the full starting torque is available, but with the big difference that the starting procedure is much more
forgiving to the driven machinery, with lower maintenance costs as a result.

Another feature of the soft starter is the soft stop function, which is very useful when stopping
pumps where the problem is water hammering in the pipe system at direct stop as for star-delta starter
and direct-on-line starter. The soft stop function can also be used when stopping conveyor belts to
prevent material from damage when the belts stop too quickly.

Soft starting an ac motor refers to any one of several starting methods that limit the starting
current and torque of the motor. The reduced voltage starters, and will be referred to as soft starting.
Most soft starters use voltage control to limit the motor starting current and torque by continuously
ramping the applied motor voltage when starting and stopping. Other reduced voltage starting techniques
cause a step change in the applied motor voltage, using electro mechanical contactor switching.

3 AC Supply

Main
Switch

OLR

SCR’s

3 IM

Soft starter circuit Speed torque characteristics of soft started motor

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 Simple Soft starter circuit

Soft starting an ac motor refers to any one of several starting methods that limit the starting
current and torque of the motor. The reduced voltage starters, and will be referred to as soft starting.
Most soft starters use voltage control to limit the motor starting current and torque by continuously
ramping the applied motor voltage when starting and stopping. Other reduced voltage starting techniques
cause a step change in the applied motor voltage, using electro mechanical contactor switching.

Operation of Soft Starters

By using six SCR’s in a back-to-back configuration as shown in figure, the soft starter is able to
regulate the voltage applied to the motor during starting from 0 volts up to line voltage. Timing of when
to turn on the SCR’s is the key to controlling the voltage output of a soft starter. During the starting
sequence the logic of the soft starter determines when to turn on the SCR’s. It does not turn on the SCR’s
at the point that the voltage goes from negative to positive, but waits for some time after that. This is
known as “phasing back” the SCR’s. The point that the SCR’s are turned on is set or programmed by
what is called initial torque, initial current or current limit setting.

Advantages of soft starter

 Reduced wear on mechanical gears, chains and sprockets, and unexpected repair of broken belts
and jammed gearboxes.
 Lower inventory of spare mechanical parts and operating costs.
 Increased production rates by reducing machine maintenance downtime.
 Prolonged life of electrical switchgear with lower inrush currents.
 Soft stops on pumping applications reduce piping system stresses and “hammer” effect.
 Energy optimizing reduces motor energy losses when operating motor below maximum capacity.

PART-A ( 2 MARKS)

1. What are the functions of starters?

2. What are the factors influencing the selection of starters?
3. Why starter is necessary for starting a DC Motor?
4. What are the starters used for starting DC Motors?
5. Why is starting current high in a DC Motor?
6. What are the protective devices used in DC Motor Starters?
7. How does the four point starter differ from three point starter?
8. Explain the function of NVR coil in DC Motor Starters?
9. Explain the function of OLR coil in DC Motor Starters?
10. What are the different methods of starting three phase induction motors?
11. How many terminals are provided on the terminal box of a squirrel cage induction motor to be
started by a star-delta starter?
12. Mention the reasons for most of the three phase induction motors provided with delta
connected stator winding?

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 13. Write the applications of three phase induction motors
14. Mention the merits of DOL starter.
15. Mention the demerits of DOL starter.
16. Why stator resistance starter is rarely used?
17. What are the effects of increasing rotor resistance on starting current and starting torque?
18. How reduced voltage starting of induction motor is achieved?
19. How automatic starters are working in DC Motors?
20. How we start the wound-rotor (slip-ring) motors?
21. Why single phase induction motor is not self-starting?

PART-B

1. Draw a neat schematic diagram of a three point starter and explain its working. (16)
2. Draw a neat schematic diagram of a four point starter and explain its working. (16)
3. Explain with neat circuit diagram, the star-delta starter method of starting squirrel cage induction
motor. (16)
4. Explain the typical control circuits for DC Series and Shunt motors (16)
5. Explain the different starting methods of three phase squirrel cage induction motor with neat
sketches. (16)
6. Explain the different starting methods of DC motors. (16)
7. Explain with neat diagram the starting of three phase slip ring induction motor. (16)
8. Draw and explain the push-button operated direct-on line starter for three phase induction motor.
9. Draw and explain the manual auto-transformer starter for three phase induction motor. (16)

Problem:
A squirrel cage induction motor has a short circuit current of 4 times the full load value and has a
full load slip of 5%. Determine the suitable auto transformation ratio if the supply line current is not to
exceed twice the full load current. Also, express the starting torque in terms of the full load torque.
Neglect magnetizing current.

Problem:
Calculate the percentage tapping required in an auto-transformer used for squirrel cage induction
motor to start the motor against of full load torque. The short circuit current on normal voltage is 5 times
the full load current and full load slip is 5%.

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Problem:
A 3 induction motor is designed to run at 5% slip on full load. If motor draws 6 times the full
load current at starting at the rated voltage, estimate the ratio of starting torque to the full load torque.

Problem:
A 3 phase, 4 Pole, 50Hz induction motor takes 50Amps at full load speed of 1450 rpm and
develops a torque of 175 N-m. The starting current at rated voltage is 325 Amps. Calculate the starting
torque? If a star-delta starter is used, calculate the starting current?

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Problem:
Calculate the starting torque of a 3 phase induction motor in terms of full load torque when started
by means of (a) start-delta starter (b) and autotransformer with 60% tapping. The short circuit current of
the motor is 6 times the full load current and full load slip is 6%.

Problem:
Calculate the ratio of starting to full load current, if the motor is provided with a star-delta starter.
Ignore magnetizing current. The other data are: 10 kW rating, 400V, 3 motor has full load efficiency is
90% and power factor is 0.8 lagging. The blocked rotor line current is 40A at 200V.

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