Otis Singleton
A starter, also known as a self-starter, cranking motor, or starter motor, is a device used to rotate an internal-combustion engine to initiate the engine's operation. Starters can be electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic. Electric starters became near-universal in most new cars in the 1920s, making driving more accessible to women and the elderly. Starters are considered electrical components and are essential for controlling the start and stop of a motor while offering critical protections such as overload protection and fault detection. They are commonly employed in industrial, commercial, and residential applications to ensure the safe and reliable operation of motor-driven equipment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A starter is a device used to rotate (crank) an internal-combustion engine so as to initiate the engine's operation under its own power. |
| Types | Electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or another internal-combustion engine. |
| Components | Contactor, overload relay, control circuitry, starter solenoid, starter relay, neutral safety switch. |
| Function | Motor starting, motor stopping, overload protection, fault detection, motor protection. |
| Applications | Industrial, commercial, and residential applications to ensure safe and reliable operation of motor-driven equipment. |
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What You'll Learn
Starters can be electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic
Starters are an essential component in engine systems, providing the initial burst of energy to kickstart the engine's operation. They can be categorised into three main types: electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic starters. Each type has unique characteristics and is suitable for different applications.
Electric starters are a common type that relies on a battery for power. They are highly reliable due to their fewer moving parts, reducing the likelihood of mechanical failure. This simplicity also makes them more compact and lightweight compared to other types of starters. However, their dependence on a battery can be a drawback, as a weak or dead battery will render the starter non-functional. Electric starters are versatile and can be found in various applications, from small engines to large industrial engines, including cars, trucks, boats, and construction equipment.
Pneumatic starters, on the other hand, operate using compressed air. They are designed for spark-less operation and are well-suited for use in explosive atmospheres. Pneumatic starters may be preferred for applications requiring high torque and extreme conditions. However, they are generally more complex and require regular maintenance.
Hydraulic starters also offer spark-less operation and are ideal for engines that require very high starting torque. They are more complex than electric starters and tend to be heavier and more expensive. A complete hydraulic starter system includes a fuel tank, hydraulic starter, manual charging device, filter, manometer, accumulator, and control valve. While hydraulic starters are powerful and reliable, they are often reserved for special working conditions due to their complexity and cost.
It is worth noting that, while less common today, cartridge starters were once widely used in the 1930s and 1940s for airplane engines and armoured vehicles. These starters create a controlled explosion within the intake manifold to initiate a sustaining cycle for the engine.
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Starter motors require a high electric current
The high current drawn by starter motors is only required for a short period of time, typically a fraction of a second or a few seconds, until the engine starts and the combustion cycle takes over. During this brief period, the starter motor's rotor begins to turn, and the electric fields of the stator and rotor coils interact to produce a "back EMF", which opposes the input voltage from the battery. This internal voltage helps regulate the current and prevents it from remaining excessively high once the engine is running.
The power rating of car starter motors typically ranges from 0.5 kW to 1.5 kW, which would suggest a current draw of 40-120 amps. However, when starting, these motors can draw hundreds of amps for a split second. This discrepancy is due to the high initial mechanical resistance of the engine, which requires a significant amount of power to overcome. As the engine starts to turn and gain momentum, the resistance decreases, and the current draw reduces accordingly.
The high current requirement of starter motors is a crucial consideration in electrical system design. Overload relays with time delays are often employed to protect the motor and circuit from potential damage caused by the high inrush current. These relays allow harmless temporary overloads while providing a trip capability to open the control circuit if mildly dangerous currents persist. Proper management of the high current drawn by starter motors ensures the safe and efficient operation of the electrical system.
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Starters are electromechanical devices
The primary function of a starter is to manage the flow of electrical power to a motor, allowing it to start and stop safely while offering critical protections. Unlike a simple relay, starters provide overcurrent and low-voltage protection, making them essential in various applications.
Starters typically consist of several key components, including contactors, overload relays, and control circuitry. Contactor is an electromechanical switch that controls the flow of electrical power to the motor. It consists of a coil, contacts, and an electromagnetic mechanism that operates based on electromagnetism principles. Overload relays, on the other hand, act as protective devices, monitoring the current drawn by the motor. In the event of an overload or excessive current, the overload relay will disconnect the power supply to prevent damage.
Different types of starters are available, each designed for specific applications. Direct-On-Line (DOL) starters, for example, are suitable for small to medium-sized motors, connecting them directly to the power supply at full voltage during startup. Star-Delta starters, on the other hand, initially connect the motor windings in a star configuration to reduce the starting current and torque, and then switch to a delta configuration for normal operation.
Starters are essential in providing motor protection, fault detection, and energy efficiency. They help minimize energy consumption and mechanical stress on the system, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of motor-driven equipment.
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$70.47
Starter-generators were once common in cars
A starter is an electrical component that plays a crucial role in starting engines, particularly in cars. While the specific design and functionality of starters have evolved over time, starter-generators were once a common feature in automobiles.
The history of starter-generators in cars dates back to the early days of the automotive industry. In 1912, the Cadillac Model Thirty introduced an innovative concept: a starter that doubled as a generator once the engine was running. This idea was quickly adopted by other car manufacturers, and it became a competing feature alongside direct air starters and air starter motors.
Starter-generators offered a unique advantage by serving two purposes. They were designed to start the engine and then continue functioning as a generator. However, they had their limitations. These starter-generators were not designed for quick recharges, and their performance in that aspect was relatively slow. Despite this drawback, they were a common sight in older cars, including the early Chevy Corvair autos, which spun counterclockwise.
The Delco-Remy starter generators, for instance, were specifically wound for their dual purpose. While they could start the engine, they also needed about an hour to recharge the battery. This design was well-suited for vehicles with intermittent usage patterns, such as lawn tractors, which typically allowed for sufficient recharge time between starting and stopping.
Over time, the starter-generator design fell out of favour for cars by the 1930s. However, the concept remained valuable for smaller vehicles, including motorcycles, scooters, economy cars, and marine engines. The German firm SIBA Elektrik recognised this potential and developed the 'Dynastart' system, which integrated the starter-generator windings into the engine's flywheel, eliminating the need for a separate unit.
In summary, starter-generators played a significant role in the evolution of automotive technology. While they may have had their limitations, they represented a crucial step forward in engine starting systems, paving the way for more advanced designs that prioritised functionality, safety, and user-friendliness.
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Starters have various types, e.g. auto transformer, soft, and direct online
Starters are indeed electrical components, and they come in various types, each with its own unique characteristics and applications. Let's take a closer look at three common types of starters: auto-transformer starters, soft starters, and direct online (DOL) starters.
Auto-Transformer Starters
Auto-transformer starters are used to reduce the voltage applied to an electric motor during startup, which helps to lower the inrush current. This type of starter is often used in applications where a reduced voltage start is beneficial, such as in systems with sensitive electrical components or where a soft start is desired to reduce mechanical stress on the equipment.
Soft Starters
Soft starters are devices used with AC electrical motors to reduce the load, torque, and electric current surge during startup. They can be mechanical, electrical, or a combination of both. Mechanical soft starters use devices like clutches and couplings to transmit torque, while electrical soft starters employ solid-state devices to control the current flow and voltage applied to the motor. Soft starters help extend the lifespan of the system by reducing mechanical and electrodynamic stresses.
Direct Online (DOL) Starters
Direct online starters, also known as direct-on-line (DOL) motor starters, are a simple and quick solution for low HP induction motors. They are manually operated and combine a contactor with an overload relay for fine-tuned control. DOL starters are often used in applications with small motor ratings, such as small water pumps, blowers, packaging machines, fans, conveyor belts, and compressors.
Each type of starter has its own advantages and applications in electrical systems, catering to different motor sizes, load requirements, and operational needs.
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Frequently asked questions
A starter (also known as a self-starter, cranking motor, or starter motor) is a device used to rotate (crank) an internal-combustion engine so as to initiate the engine's operation under its own power.
Yes, starters are electrical components. They are electromechanical devices used to control the starting, stopping, and protection of electric motors. Starters can be electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic.
Examples of electrical starters include the Auto Transformer Starter, Soft Starter, and Variable Frequency Drive (VFD).
