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1 Basic Principles of
UNIT
Motor Controls
Unit 1—Introduction
the same manner as a typical “up-down” pushbutton device will operate to open the circuit because of the
station. increased heat caused by the current running through
it. A magnetic starter or other motor controllers may
Many motors are controlled by computerized con-
include overload devices, or they may be an integral part
trol systems, solid-state logic controls, or program-
of the motor, particularly with small motors.
mable logic controllers (PLCs). The fundamentals of
control systems still apply. The PLC controls an exter-
nal output based on the logic of a control program, and Author’s Comment: Short circuits and ground faults
that output controls the motor or groups of motors by aren’t considered overloads.
using a magnetic starter, and in some cases additional
relays. PLCs and other solid-state control devices were
There are two basic designs of motor control equip-
originally invented to provide less expensive replace-
ment, NEMA and IEC.
ments for older automated systems that used large num-
bers of relays and mechanical timers. In some cases, a NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association).
single PLC can replace thousands of relays resulting in NEMA is a trade association for manufacturers of elec-
less expensive wiring systems that offer greater flexibility trical equipment and supplies. NEMA standards spec-
in control designs. ify motor horsepower (hp) ratings, speeds, motor frame
sizes and dimensions, motor torques, motor starter size
ratings, and enclosure specifications.
Author’s Comments:
• In industrial processes, the control of pressure, flow, NEMA-rated products are typically heavy duty, can be
speed, temperature, and other items are essential for used in a broad range of applications, and some start-
efficient productivity and safety. Devices such as solid- ers can be maintained and repaired. For these reasons,
state sensors, static controls, solid-state relays, and they’re often more expensive than IEC motor starters.
programmable controls can provide very precise control NEMA-rated motors and motor controllers are the
for an industrial process. type most commonly used in North America.
• Although the subject of solid-state controls isn’t covered IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). IEC
in detail in this textbook, the concepts are very simi- is an international standards organization. IEC motor
lar to other motor controls in that they essentially use starters are often less expensive, smaller in size, are tai-
switches to control motors. lored for specific motor performance requirements, and
• Many experts agree that the best way to learn about the selection of the right starter for each application is
motor controls is to start with the standard control meth- very important. IEC-rated motor controllers are widely
ods covered in this textbook. This statement also applies used in Europe and Asia.
when electronic controls are the subject being studied.
Many control circuits include motor overload protec- 1.1 Motor Control Language
tion devices. Traditional overload (OL) protectors oper-
ate on the relationship between heat and current. As Electrical symbols, words, and line diagrams provide
current increases, heat increases. If an overload device the information necessary to understand the operation
is rated 10A, and the current exceeds that rating, the OL of motor control circuits. Used together, they create a
type of motor control “language” that’s used to trans- (1) Ladder Diagrams (Figure 1–4)
fer information and ideas quickly and efficiently.
Ladder diagrams are also called “line diagrams” or
The symbols in motor control schematics represent “elementary diagrams.” They’re used to represent
devices, power conductors, control conductors, con- the function of the control circuit and the associated
ductor connections and terminals, and sometimes the devices, but don’t show the components of the con-
motor itself. trol circuit in their actual positions. As control cir-
cuits become more complex, a ladder diagram can
The words, phrases, and abbreviations in a schematic
be less complicated to read than a wiring or connec-
are generally accepted terms that represent functions,
tion diagram. For example, in Figure 1‑4, notice the
describe actions, and list sequences of operation.
set of contacts marked M under the start pushbutton.
In many cases, the symbols and words have a similarity The M contacts marked 2 and 3 are actually located
to the items they represent. The basic types of schemat- in the motor starter fairly close to the coil, as shown
ics are shown in Figure 1–3. Parts A, B, and C of that in Figure 1–3B, and the normal physical appearance
figure illustrate three different methods of representing of these contacts often look as shown in Figure 1–3C.
the same control circuit. (Notice that all three examples of the M contacts are
shown with a blue background in Figure 1–3.)
Figure 1–4
Figure 1–8
Author’s Comments:
• Often a hand-drawn diagram of a control circuit con-
structed in the field helps in understanding how a circuit
functions and how to make the necessary connections,
especially during the learning process. Figure 1–9
shows the hand-drawn version of the 3-wire start-stop
control circuit shown in Figure 1–3. Notice that the stop
pushbutton is in series with coil M, and that the start
Figure 1–7
pushbutton is in parallel with M contacts 2–3. The entire
control circuit in this example is in parallel between line
1 and line 2. These basic relationships can be found in
many control circuits.
(3) Pictorial Diagrams (Figure 1–8)
• The numbers in this diagram are simply for the aid of
Pictorial diagrams are often used in educational mate- the reader and it don’t imply that terminal 1 on one
rial and as exploded views or cut-away views in instal- device should always be connected to terminal 1 on
lation and maintenance literature. Pictorial diagrams another device.
help students see actual devices and components used
in motor control circuits and how they relate to the
symbols used in ladder diagrams and wiring diagrams. Once you understand the terminology and symbols
For example, the start pushbutton we mentioned earlier involved in motor control circuit wiring, understanding
has wires run to the device that contains the set of con- how it works becomes easier and less intimidating.
tacts M in Figure 1–4, and to contact points 2 and 3 in
Figure 1–6.
Unit 1—Conclusion
Figure 1–9
This unit explained the basic concepts of motor con-
trols, concentrating on how specialized electrical sym-
1.2 Motor Control Basics bols, words, and line diagrams are used to convey
information about motor control circuits. It provided
The purpose of this textbook is to introduce the basics an introduction to the following types of diagrams,
of motor controls. Many of the control circuits that are which are used extensively throughout this textbook:
covered are standard control circuits used in many differ-
•• Ladder diagrams (these are also called “line
ent applications. Each circuit can have several variations
diagrams” or “elementary diagrams”).
and optional devices in addition to those included in the
schematics. This textbook won’t teach you all of these •• Connection diagrams (also called “wiring
control circuit variations, but will give you a basic under- diagrams”).
standing of motor controls, and how to read wiring dia-
•• Pictorial diagrams.
grams and understand the sequences of operation.
1 Practice Questions
UNIT
1. A motor control circuit, for the most part, is (a) Ladder diagrams
simply a _____ and a motor. (b) Connection diagrams
(c) Wiring diagrams
(a) motor
(d) Pictorial diagrams
(b) switch
(c) feeder 6. Connection diagrams are also called wiring
(d) magnet diagrams.
(a) heat and current 7. _____ are used mostly in educational material and
(b) the neutral conductor and the earth as exploded views or cut-away views in installation
(c) branch circuits and feeders and maintenance literature.
(d) voltage and wattage
(a) Ladder diagrams
1.1 Motor Control Language (b) Connection diagrams
(c) Wiring diagrams
3. Schematics show motors and control equipment (d) Pictorial diagrams
in their “resting” or “shelf ” state.
8. The motor control circuit shown in Figure 1–10 is a
(a) True _____.
(b) False
(a) ladder diagram
4. Ladder diagrams are also known as _____. (b) connection diagram
(a) line diagrams (c) wiring diagram
(b) elementary diagrams (d) pictorial diagram
(c) pictorial diagrams
(d) a or b
Figure 1–10
Figure 1–11