DOL vs Star delta

DOL (Direct online) and star delta starting are the most applicable and widely-used
starting methods in the industrial area due to their economic reasons. But there are lots
of differences between DOL and star delta. Let’s check them one by one.

Table of Contents
 Differences between DOL and Star Delta
o Relative starting current
o Relative starting torque
o Operating principle
o Current peak
o Mechanical stress
o Areas of application
o Cost
o Starting time
o Component
o Wiring
Differences between DOL and Star Delta
Differences between DOL and star delta are the following:

Relative starting current

The disadvantage with DOL is that it gives the highest possible starting current. It does
not reduce the starting current of the motor. A normal value is between 6 to 7 times the
rated motor current but values of up to 9 or 10 times the rated current exist. The
received starting current of a star delta starter is about 30% of the starting current
during direct online start. i.e., typically to 2…2.5 Ie.

Relative starting torque

During a DOL start, the starting torque is very high and is usually higher than required
for most applications. The starting torque of a star delta starter is reduced to about 30%
of the torque available at a DOL start. Star delta method only works when the
application is lightly loaded during the start. If the motor is too heavily loaded, there will
not be enough torque to accelerate the motor up to speed before switching over to the
delta position.

Operating principle
In the DOL starter, it is possible to start a motor with a simple circuit. The direct online
motor starter (DOL) consists of a contactor and an overload relay for protection. The
contactor can be opened by the thermal overload relay under fault conditions. Typically,
the contactor will be controlled by separate start and stop buttons, and an auxiliary
contact on the contactor is used, across the start button, to hold in contact. I.e. the
contactor is electrically latched closed while the motor is operating.

In the star-delta starting method, the wiring connection from the power supply source to
the motor is connected from the star (wye) to the delta connection. The motor is started
in a star configuration and then it is transferred to the delta configuration. This allows
the full voltage to be applied to the motor during its running so as to get the full torque
output. This can be further explained that in a Star-Delta starter, the motor is started as
a star connection and when the motor starts running the connection is changed to the
delta. With star connection, the motor takes times less voltage. However, as the torque
is proportional to the square of the voltage, the starting torque also reduces.

Current peak
In the star-delta starting method, when starting up, the load torque is low at the
beginning of the start and increases with the square of the speed. When reaching
approximately 80-85% of the motor rated speed the load torque is equal to the motor
torque and the acceleration ceases. To reach the rated speed, a switch over to the delta
position is necessary, and this will result in high transmission and current peaks. In
some cases, the current peak can reach a value that is even bigger than for a DOL
start.

Mechanical stress
Unnecessary high starting torque, even when not required by the load, thereby
increased mechanical stress on the mechanical systems such as rotor shaft, bearings,
gearbox, coupling, chain drive, connected equipment, etc. leading to premature failure
and plant downtimes. In the DOL starter, mechanical stress cannot be reduced. On the
other hand, star delta starter reduces the mechanical stress.

Areas of application
The starting current at the moment of switching DOL can be as high as 6-8 times the
rated current. Due to this reason, the electricity boards have laid down general
regulations that direct-on-line starting of squirrel cage motors shall be allowed only for
small motors-up to 7.5 or 10 HP (5.5 or 7.5 kW) Star delta starter can be used up to 75
H.P (55kW)

Cost
DOL is the most economical and cheapest starter option. Star delta is expensive than
DOL. Moreover, star delta requires more space in the enclosure.

Starting time
The starting time of DOL is shorter than star delta. The run-up time of the DOL is
approx. 0,2….5s. The run-up time of star delta is approx. 2…15s. (These values are
longer in heavy-duty start)

Component
The components used in DOL starting consist of only a main contactor and thermal
overload relay. On the other hand, the components used in star delta starting consist of
three contactors, an overload relay, and a timer for setting the time in the star position.
The motor must be delta connected during a normal run to be able to use the star delta
starting method.

Wiring
To enable a switch-over from star to delta, the six ends of the motor winding are
connected onto terminals. The contactors of a star-delta starter switch over the windings
accordingly. In the DOL starter, only one set of cables is required from starter to motor.
That’s why DOL is easier to understand and troubleshoot.