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The 3-phase induction motor is over 100 years old and obviously many design changes and
variations have appeared over the years. However certain fundamental characteristics
remain the same and it is the problems that these inherent features cause that electronic
soft start aims to solve.

1. Direct-On-Line
Reduced Voltage Starting:

2. Star/Delta

3. Auto Transformer

4. Soft Starts

1. Direct-On-LineÊ
The main method of starting the AC motor is direct-on-line starting. This simply means an
electro-mechanical switch is opened and closed to stop and start the motor.

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ºÊ High inrush current (typically 6 x full load which can cause several problems)
ºÊ Decessities over sizing of installation (particularly important on generator and UPS
fed supplies)
 ºÊ Limits Expansion
ºÊ Reduces service life of electrical components

 

ºÊ Excessive applied starting torque (typically 2.5 x full load)

ºÊ Încreases wear on drive chain components
ºÊ Reduces service life of mechanical components

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2. Star/DeltaÊ
This method requires both connections for each phase (six in all) to be taken to the starter.
Three contactors are used to first connect the motor in star and then to delta after a given
time. Connecting the motor in star reduces the voltage applied to each winding to about
60% of the line voltage. This reduces the starting torque and current (typically 3.5 x FLC).
After a given time the motor is switched to delta connection and then runs as if direct-on-
line. Îts main advantages are that it is relatively simple and low cost. The major problem
with this method is that the reduced voltage level is in a single stage and is fixed.
sometimes this voltage is not ideal, the torque it produces (65% of full load torque) may be
too small and the motor stalls or does not give complete acceleration, or if it is too great the
motor still starts with a pronounced snatch. The star/delta transition will produce a second
current and torque peak which is almost the equivalent of having two direct-on-line starts.
On some loads the motor sometimes almost stalls during this transition time. This method
of starting does however have the advantage of being a low cost and simple solution if its
limitations can be tolerated.

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ºÊ Low cost and simple

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 ºÊ Torque too high ± causes snatch
ºÊ Torque too low ± motor stalls
ºÊ Transition peak up to 20 x În
ºÊ uotor can stall in transition

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3. Auto TransformerÊ
This method uses transformer action to reduce the voltage applied to the motor and current
seen by the supply. An improved torque/amp ratio is achieved and starting current is
typically 3 x FLC, depending on the voltage rapping selected. Dormally the voltage is applied
to the motor in voltage steps through the transformer with the taps being selected through
contactors. Typical tappings are 50%, 70%, followed by full voltage being applied to the
motor. The major disadvantages are size and cost, and of course the mechanical snatch at
switch on is not controllable and can still cause problems. Also once the tappings have been
selected, it may be necessary to change them according to changes in load parameters.

 

  

ºÊ Simple operation

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ºÊ Poor controllability
ºÊ mulky
ºÊ Very Expensive

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4. Soft StartsÊ
The soft start is designed to apply an adjustable voltage to the motor and increase this
voltage gradually over a user-selectable acceleration period. The acceleration time being
dependent on the application and desired characteristics. The added advantage of this
method of reduced voltage control is that the motor can also be stopped gradually by slowly
reducing the output voltage to the .µSoft Stop¶ feature offers a smooth stop in many process
industries such as pumps, where fast stops can result in µwater hammer¶ and mechanical
damage.



  

ºÊ Reduced starting current

ºÊ Reduced starting torque
ºÊ Less mechanical stress

Împroved control of acceleration and decelerationÊ