Beatrice Lang
A starter is a device that controls the use of electrical power to equipment, usually a motor. Starters are an essential part of modern motor drives for the safe and protective operation of motors. They can start and stop a motor, as well as reverse it and protect it from faults and overload. Starters are made from two building blocks: contactors and overload protection. The two main types of starters are manual starters and AC magnetic motor starters.
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What You'll Learn
Motor starters are electromechanical switches with overload protection
A starter is a device that controls the flow of electrical power to a motor. Motor starters are a type of starter that are electrically operated switching devices. They are primarily made up of two components: a contactor and an overload relay. The contactor provides the current to the motor, establishing and interrupting power in an electrical circuit. The contactor operates like a relay, whereby when electricity is applied to the coil, it closes the contact, allowing current to pass through and providing power to the motor.
The overload relay is designed to protect the motor from drawing too much current over a prolonged period, which could cause the motor to overheat and burn up. Overload protection is an essential feature of motor starters, as it prevents the motor from burning out or overheating. When an overload is detected, the auxiliary contact of the overload relay opens the circuit, preventing the motor from drawing too much current.
There are various types of motor starters, including Direct Online (DOL) starters, Star Delta starters, manual starters, and magnetic starters. Star Delta starters are the most common reduced voltage starters, reducing the start-up current applied to the motor and, in turn, reducing the voltage drop on the electrical supply line. Soft starters are another type of reduced voltage starter, which limits the voltage to a more manageable amount for the motor during start-up.
Motor starters can also be categorised as NEMA or IEC starters. NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) is recognised in North America, whereas IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is recognised in both North America and Europe. IEC equipment is more commonly seen in modern installations as it is more versatile and cheaper.
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They start and stop motors, preventing dangerous currents
A starter is a device that controls the use of electrical power to equipment, usually a motor. Starters are made from two building blocks: contactors and overload protection. Contactors control the electric current to the motor, while overload protection prevents motors from drawing too much current, overheating, and burning out.
The primary function of a motor starter is to start and stop the motor to which it is connected. Motor starters are electromechanical switches that contain overload protection for the motor. They safely switch the necessary power to the motor and prevent the motor from drawing heavy currents.
There are two main types of starters: manual starters and AC magnetic motor starters. Manual starters are simple to operate and are often the best choice for an application. They are usually used on smaller loads where low-voltage protection is not needed. A button or toggle is pressed to start or stop the connected electrical equipment. Mechanical linkages from the buttons or toggle force the contacts to open and close, starting and stopping the motor.
AC magnetic motor starters, also known as motor starters, are the most common type of starter. They have two circuits: the power circuit and the control circuit. The power circuit passes the main voltage to the motor through the starter contacts and overload relay. The control circuit operates the contactor (on/off) and makes remote operation possible.
There are also reduced voltage starters, such as the Wye-Delta/Star-Delta starter, which reduce the start current applied to the motor during startup, thereby reducing the voltage drop on the electrical supply line. Soft starters are another type of reduced voltage starter that uses a series of silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) or thyristors to limit the voltage to a more manageable amount for the motor during startup.
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There are manual and electrically operated starters
A starter is an assembly of components that allows a user to turn on or off an electric motor or motor-controlled electrical equipment. There are several types of starters, but the two most basic types are manual starters and electrically operated starters.
Manual starters are devices that are operated manually by a user. They are extremely straightforward to operate and do not require expert intervention. The starter includes a button or rotary knob that enables a user to turn the connected equipment on or off. The buttons feature mechanical linkages, which make the contacts open or close, starting or stopping the motor. Manual starters are mechanically simple and have robust safety features, making them a reliable choice for many industrial applications.
Electrically operated starters, or magnetic starters, rely on electromagnetism for their operation. They are capable of operating without manual intervention, allowing the operator to start the motor from a remote location. The motor load connected to the motor starter is typically started and stopped using a lower and safer voltage than the motor voltage. The magnetic motor starter relies on energizing a coil to close and hold the contacts. During a power failure, it automatically breaks the control circuit, and the holding contacts open, thus removing power to the motor.
There are several varieties of electrically operated starters, including Across-The-Line (Full Voltage Non-Reversing), the Reversing Starter, the Multispeed Starter, and the Reduced Voltage Starter. The Reversing Starter or Full Voltage Reversing (FVR) reverses a motor by reversing any two leads to the motor, using two contactors and one overload relay. The Multispeed Starter is designed to be operated at a constant frequency and voltage, changing the speed of an AC motor by using a motor with windings that may be reconnected to form a different number of poles. The Reduced Voltage Starter (RVS) is used in applications that typically involve large horsepower motors and help to reduce the inrush current and limit torque output and mechanical stress on the load.
Both manual and electrically operated starters feature a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit passes the main voltage to the motor through the starter contacts and overload relay, while the control circuit operates the contactor coil, creating an electromagnetic field that allows power to flow to the motor.
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Soft starters reduce voltage strain on motors
A starter is a device that passes the main voltage to the motor through the starter contacts and overload relay. Motor starters are used to reduce the start current applied to the motor during startup, thereby reducing the voltage drop on the electrical supply line.
Soft starters are a type of reduced voltage method that helps reduce voltage strain on motors. Unlike traditional hard starters, soft starters offer an effective method of controlling the speed and torque of a motor during start-up or shut down. They achieve this by gradually increasing the voltage supply instead of an immediate surge of full voltage, allowing for a smoother, more controlled acceleration. This process helps minimize electrical stress, reduce mechanical wear, and prevent 100% instantaneous torque that damages the motor or connected equipment over time.
Soft starters use a series of silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) or thyristors to limit the voltage to a more manageable amount for the motor as it begins to start up. These SCRs have an ON state, where they allow the current to flow, and an OFF state, where they control and limit the electrical current. When the machine is powered up, these SCRs activate, restrict the voltage, and then relax as the machine reaches full power. This keeps the motor’s heat down and reduces overall strain.
The use of soft starters can significantly extend the life of an electric motor due to its ability to reduce the strain on the load during startup. They also provide excellent utility for the motor-driven application and main circuit systems for which they are used. By precisely controlling acceleration, deceleration, and torque of an electric motor, a suitable soft starter can reduce mechanical and electrical stress on equipment, protect against inappropriate operation, and reduce startup power demand.
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Wye-Delta starters are a type of reduced voltage starter
A starter is a device that passes the main voltage to the motor through the starter contacts and overload relay. The motor current is carried by the power contacts of the contactor. Wye-Delta starters, also known as Star-Delta starters, are a type of reduced voltage starter. They are the most common type of reduced voltage starters.
Wye-Delta starters reduce the start current applied to the motor during startup, thereby reducing the voltage drop on the electrical supply line. This is achieved by physically reconfiguring the motor windings. During the startup of the motor, the windings are connected in a Wye/Star configuration, which reduces the voltage across each winding and the torque by a factor of three.
After a timing period, the windings are reconnected with a Delta configuration and run this way until a stop command is given. The starting voltage, current, and torque are reduced in traditional Wye-Delta starting. The percentage of voltage applied during the start in the Wye is 58% of the full voltage, resulting in 33% of the full-load starting torque.
Wye-Delta starters are a great way to start a Delta motor designed for a Wye-Delta start as they achieve a consistency of torque output that is built to last. Soft starters are another type of reduced voltage starter that can be used with Wye-Delta motors. They use a series of silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) or thyristors to limit the voltage to a manageable amount for the motor during startup.
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Frequently asked questions
A starter is a device that controls the use of electrical power to equipment, usually a motor. Starters can also stop, reverse, and protect motors. They are made from two building blocks: contactors and overload protection.
Starters can be manual or electrically operated. They can also be Direct Online (DOL) Starters, Star Delta Starters, Magnetic Starters, Stator Resistance Starters, Soft Starters, and more.
A starter turns an electric motor or motor-controlled electrical equipment on or off. It does this by establishing or interrupting an electrical power circuit. Starters also provide overload protection, preventing motors from drawing too much current, overheating, and burning out.
