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AUTOMATIC STAR-DELTA STARTER USING RELAYS AND ADJUSTABLE

ELECTRONIC TIMER FOR INDUCTION MOTOR

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 Available Online at http://www.recentscientific.com
International Journal of
CODEN: IJRSFP (USA)
Recent Scientific
International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Research
Vol. 11, Issue, 07 (B), pp. 39207-39212, July, 2020
ISSN: 0976-3031 DOI: 10.24327/IJRSR
Research Article
AUTOMATIC STAR-DELTA STARTER USING RELAYS AND ADJUSTABLE ELECTRONIC
TIMER FOR INDUCTION MOTOR
Ayibapreye, KA, Priye, KA and Edwin, PA
Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State,
Nigeria
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2020.1107.5459

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article History:
Received 4th April, 2020
Received in revised form 25th
May, 2020
Accepted 18th June, 2020
Published online 28th July, 2020
Key Words:
Star-delta starter, Relay, Adjustable
electronic starter, and Induction Motor.
Induction motors are widely used in industries and most times get burnt upon the start of the motor.
This project is designed to provide low voltage start to induction motors. This is achieved by using
star to delta conversion. Star/Delta starters are probably the most common reduced voltage starters
in the 50 Hz industrial motors. Star-delta is used to reduce the start current applied to the motor then
after some time full load current is applied to the motor. Since in star connection current is same in
different phases while line voltage is the root three times the phase voltage. The voltage is reduced
if the induction motor is started as star. In delta connection the voltage is same as that of phase
voltage so full voltage is applied if we run the motor as delta connection. In this project, an
automatic star-delta starter was designed using electrical relays and an electronic timer. By feeding
the motor with (58%) of the full load current to limit the starting current surges by starting the
motor at reduced voltage and then have full supply voltage reconnected when they run up to near
rotated speed. This method is commonly referred to as “Soft starting” the motor.

Copyright © Ayibapreye, KA, Priye, KA and Edwin, PA, 2020, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of
the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.

INTRODUCTION voltage by a factor of three. After a period, the windings are

Most of the machines used in the industries are three phase
induction motors. They have simple and rugged construction
and their robust nature make them possible to operate in all
environmental condition. Induction machines are cheaper in
cost and maintenance free, have starting torque and are widely
used in domestic and industrial applications. During starting of
an induction motor, the starting current is around eight to ten
times the rated current and this persists for a few cycles. This
may be very much damaging for the machine, causing a
disturbance of voltage on the supply lines due to large starting
current surges. To limit the starting current surges, large
induction motors are started at reduced voltage and have full
supply voltage reconnected when they run up to near rotated
speed. These forms of starters are known as reduced
mechanical starters, they are used to replace the direct-on-line
starters. This is because of their controlled starting capability
with lower starting current during the soft start period
(Suvra,2014).
Voltage reduction during star-delta starting is achieved by
physically reconfiguring the motor winding. During starting,
the motor windings are connected in star configuration and this
reduces the voltage across each winding. This also reduces the
reconfigured as delta and the motor runs normally. The star-
delta starter is generally obtained from three contactors:
electromechanical timer and a thermal overload relay for
operating a 3-phase motor at 440 volts at ac mains supply of 50
Hz. The current through the windings are (58%) of the current
in the line. The star-delta starter is simple and rugged,
relatively cheap compared to other reduced voltage methods
with good torque and current performance (Thompson, 2017).
Star-Delta Starter
Star/Delta starters are the most reduced voltage starters in the
50 Hz frequency (known as Wye/Delta in the 60 Hz world).
They are used to reduce the start current applied to the motor
during start as a means of reducing the disturbances and
interference on the electrical supply. In star-delta starting
method, the wiring connection from the power supply source to
the motor is connected from star to the delta connection. With
star connection, the motor takes 58 % less voltage. However, as
the torque is proportional to square of the voltage, the starting
torque also reduces (Ferraris, 2003).

*Corresponding author: Ayibapreye, KB

Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
 International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 11, Issue, 07 (B), pp. 39207-39212,, July, 2020

Reasons for using star-delta starter Current Surges in Star-Delta

Delta Starting
The Star-Delta
Delta starter is preferred over the other
othe starters due At changeover from star to delta, a current surge will arise
to the following almost as high as the corresponding Direct
Direct-On-Line value if the
process takes place at a low speed. This type of star star-delta
 Starting current is reduced 3-44 times of the direct
di current
starter is called open transition, can have a momentary hitch in
due to which voltage drops and hence it causes less
operation, allowing a momentary inrush of current.
loses.
 The operation on the star-delta
delta is simple and rugged. Also, during the period of switchover from star to delta
 Good torque/current performance. connection, the motor speed reduces rapidly, which also calls
 Star-delta
delta circuit comes in circuit first during starting of for higher current pulse after connection to delta.
motor, which reduces voltage 3 times, times that is why
current also reduces up to 3 times and hence less motor Automatic Star/Delta Starter
burning is caused. Due to the afore mentioned short comings of the above starting
 The disadvantage of using star-delta
delta starting is the huge methods, there is need for further research to correct these
reduction in the starting current of the motor, which will inadequacies.Hence, the automatic star star-delta starter using
result in a significant cost saving of cables, transformers, relays and adjustable electronic timer. The automatic star
star-delta
and switchgears. starter makes use of a more advanced hardware and software
Terminal Connection in Star and Delta Configurations components than the native star star-delta starters and it went
further to correct the current surge problem of the open
transition starting by making useof an additional contactor and
as set of resistors rs to keep the motor on on-line during the
transition, this is known as closed transition.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Hardware Components
1. TRANSFORMER (230 – 12 V AC)
2. VOLTAGE REGULATOR (LM 7805)
3. RECTIFIER
4. FILTER
5. RELAY
6. INDUCTION MOTOR
7. 555 TIMER
8. BC 547 TRNSISTOR
9. BC 558
10. IN4007 RECTIFIER DIODE
11. LED
Figure 1 Terminal connections in star-delta
delta starter 12. RESISTOR
13. CAPACITOR
L1, L2 and L3 are the 3-phase
phase line voltages, which are given to
primary contactor. The main motor coils are U, V and W as The control of an automatic Star Star-Delta using relays and
shown in the figure above. In star mode of motor windings, the adjustable electronic timer for induction motor comprised of
primary contactor associates the mains to essential winding the following stages:
terminals U1,1, V1 and W1. The star contactor shuts the Power Supply
auxiliary winding terminals U2, V2 and W2. Notwithstanding
when the primary contactor is shut, supply arrives at terminals  The three-phase
phase of an AC source
A1, B1, C1 and consequently the motor windings are energized  Transformers
in star mode.The timer is initiated
tiated in the meantime moment Input stage: the input stage comprised of the star/delta
when star contactor is energized. After the timer achieves the configuration relays.
specified time, the star contactor is de-energized
energized and delta
contactor is energized. The point when delta contactor closes,  Control stage is made up of electronic adjustable
the motor winding terminals U2, V2 and W2 get associated timers.
with V1, W1 and U1 individually through the shut contacts of  Output stage consists of the motor system.
primary contactor (Babbage et al,, 2017). That is for delta
association fulfilling end of the other winding is to be joined
with beginning end of the other winding. The motor windings
win
are reconfigured in delta by supplying line voltage L1 to
winding terminals W2 and U1, line voltage L2 to winding
terminals U2 and V1; and the line voltage L3 to winding
terminals V2 and W1, as indicated in the Fig. 1.

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Ayibapreye, KA, Priye, KA and Edwin, PA., Automatic Star-Delta
Star Delta Starter Using Relays and Adjustable Electronic Timer for Induction Motor

Output Unit
Proper power supply together with the efficient working and
control of the input and control unit helps prevent motor from
overheating and provide over--burden and no-voltage assurance.
Design Calculations

Figure 2 An automatic star/delta starter with relays and 555-timer

555 for control
of induction motor.

The Power Supply Unit

This makes use of three phase system connected to the motor
and the transformers. The 3 step-down down transformers, the
primary of which are connectedected in star mode while their
secondary develop filtered dc after passing through respective
bridge rectifiers and filtered capacitors. The main contactor
connects the reference source voltage R, Y, B to the primary
terminal of the motor U1, V1, W1.
In operation,
peration, the main contactor and the star contactor are
closed initially, and afterwards, the star contactor is opened,
and the delta contactor is closed (Terrel,
Terrel, 2013).
2013)
The Input Unit
These relays are the star connected relays, which are used to Figure 3 Step
Step-down transformer
switch on the motor, using low voltage. This voltage is reduced
Three transformers are used in the design with a supply voltage
by a factor of 0.58.Two
Two of the rectified dc voltages from the
of 230V ac and is being stepped down to 12V ac transformer
source are connected to the relay to serve as input to it. The R,
with a current capacitor of 2000mA.
Y, B are the three phase line voltages which are given to the
The maximum voltage of the secondary side of the transformer
primary electrical
lectrical relay. The main motor coils are U, V and W,
can be calculated using equation 3.
in the star mode of the motor windings, the primary electrical
relay connects the mains to the U1, V1, and W1. The star = √2 (1)
connected relay shorts the U2, V2 and W2.
= ℎ ℎ ℎ
Control Unit = ℎ ℎ ℎ
The control unit is the adjustable electronic timer which is used The maximum peak voltage is 16.98 volts.
to switch operation from Star to Delta connections.
The average dc voltage obtained was using the formula given
The electronic timer is the 555-timer timer connected in the in equation (1).
monostable configuration. The timing or delay is achieved from
= 0.636 (2)
the RC oscillator connected to the 555-timer. r. The RC oscillator
is resistor 1k, 10k pot and the 470µ capacitor. When the V = Average dc voltage
circuit is turned on, the timer allows the star connected relay to
V = maximum voltage
voltage of the transformer
turn on. The output of the 555-timer
timer (pin 3) is connected to the
From equation (2) the maximum voltage is 16.98 volts.
NPN transistor (BC547), this is used to switch
swit on the output
= 0.636 × 16.98 = 10.7979
relays connected in Star configuration for a timing.
From the calculation the average dc voltage is 10.79 volts
After the time delay elapsed, the BC547 transistor will switch
The bridge rectifier rectifies the voltage. The dc voltage after
off and the PNP transistor (BC558) will switch on.
the bridge rectifier can be expressed as
The conversion from star to delta enables the motor running on
the starr mode with a decreased voltage and current producing = − 2( ) (3)
less torque, and the delta mode enabling the motor run on its
full power, utilizing high voltage and current to transform a V = forward voltage drop across
across the silicon diodes = 0.7
high torque (Nevelsteen et al, 1989).

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 International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 11, Issue, 07 (B), pp. 39207-39212,, July, 2020

V = V − 2(0.7) = 16.98 − 1.4 The output pin is set high when the trigger pin is be
= 15.58 volts (4)
33.3% of Vcc, 33.3 100 ∗ 14 14.71 = 5
The filter capacitor was used to filter off the ac ripples in the dc 66.6
voltage, thereby reducing the ripple to a minimal level. The
At 66.6% ofVcc, 100 ∗ 14.71 = 10 , the output pin
capacitor used in the design is 1000 , the ripple voltage in is set low and the discharge pin is connected back to ground.
the supply was obtained from equation (4). At this point, the capacitor starts discharging through resistor
R2 (68k) until the capacitor reaches 5volts
V = (5)
2 The cycle then repeats and creates a series of output pulses.
where The duration the output pin stays high tHIGH, is given below
f = frequency = 50 Hz
tHIGH (secs) = 0.693* (R1 + R2) * C1 (6)
I = regulator output current,
For C = 1000uf, I = 500mA The duration the output pin stays low, tLOW, is given below
0.5
V = = 2.27 volts tLOW (secs) = 0.693 * R2 * C1 (7)
2 × 50 × 1000 × 10 Where:
From this the dc voltage after the filter capacitor is,
R1 = 10K, R2 = 68K, C1= 470uf
= − = 16.98 − 2.27 = 14.71
From equation (6)
Thus, this voltage obtained from the capacitor is sent into the
tHIGH = 0.693 * (10 + 68)10^3 * 470*10^
470*10^-6 = 25 seconds
circuit, one to the 555 timer and the other two to relay1 and
tLOW = 0.693 * 68*10^3 * 470*10^
470*10^-6 = 22 seconds
relay2.
The frequency, f, of the series of pulses is:
The light emitting diode is connected in series to the limiting F = 1 t high + = =0 0.02
resistor. The limiting resistor reduces the current that flows
through the diode to prevent high current from flowing through 555 Timer Monostable Mode Calculations
the light emitting diode (Paul et al, 1989).
The output pin is set high when the trigger pin transitions from
From Kirchhoff’s voltage rule, VCC, to 33% VCC, i.e. 14.71 volts to 33 100 ∗ 14.71 = 5
V = V + V The output pin is set low when the voltage across the
= ℎ 66.6% VCC i.e. 66.6 100 ∗ 14
14.71 = 10 , this is connected
= ℎ back to ground.
=
Finally, when the discharge pin is connected back to ground,
= × , = 2 , = 14.71 the capacitor is discharged, and the default “STABLE” state iis
Substituting this into the equation, reached.

14.71 = × 1000 + 2 The length of the output pulse, tp, is:

14.71 − 2 = × 1000 tp= 1.1 * RC
12.71 = × 1000 Where, R = 10K, C = 470µ
12.71 tp= 1.1 * 10*103 * 470*10-6 = 5seconds
= = 13
1000
Hence, the 555 timer though wired in as table mode operates in
The current flowing through the light emitting diode is 13 mA. monostable mode because of the stable state of the 555 timer
555 Timer Calculation when it has triggered a switch from the Star mode to the Delta
mode unlike the as table 555 timer that creates a series of
The 555-timer
timer used in the circuit is wired in astable but works pulses oscillating from high to low, repeating the whole
like a monostable. At the time of switch ON timer 555 output process. Therefore, the time duration between the Star mode
goes high and goes low after the capacitor 470uF gets fully and the Delta mode
ode is 5 seconds.
charged as set-up up by the RC time constant in 470k
potentiometer in series with 68k resistor and the capacitor of
470uF, connected to pin 2 and 6 of the timer. After that as there
is no discharge path for the capacitor thehe output remains low.
Once it is switched off the diode 4148 discharges the capacitor
through the circuit impedance such that while switched on
again the capacitor starts charging and the process repeats
(Pansini, 1999).

555 Timer Astable Mode Calculations

R1 = 10K, R2 = 68K, C = 470µ
Vcc = 14.71 volts, this is the DC voltage received from the filter
capacitor after it has been rectified by the bridge rectifiers. Figure 4 Circuit diagram of automatic star
star-delta starter using relays and
adjustable timer
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Ayibapreye, KA, Priye, KA and Edwin, PA., Automatic Star-Delta
Star Delta Starter Using Relays and Adjustable Electronic Timer for Induction Motor

Star-delta
delta starter comprises contactors and an adjustable timer bugs in the circuit diagram. A multi
multi-meter was used to perform
to enable starting of the induction motor in star mode and this test. It was kept in a buzzer mode and then conn
connected to the
switches over to delta mode after the preset time so decided by ground terminal of the multi meter to the ground, both
the timer. The designuses 3 step-down
down transformers the primary terminals across the path that needs to be checked was
of which are connected in star mode while their secondary connected. If there is continuation, then you will hear the beep
develop filtered dc after passing through respective bridge sound (Andreas, 2010).
rectifiers & filter capacitors
rs out of the three such dc derived,
POWER-ON TEST
one dc is used for a timer circuit built around a 555 timer wired
in astable mode but operating in monostable mode. Two other This test was performed to ch check if the voltage at different
dc supplies operate relay 1 and relay 2, the contacts of which terminals meets design specification. The multi
multi-meter was kept
are connected in series with relay3
elay3 coil, to the first dc supply. in voltage mode and the test performed without ICs. Firstly, the
Relay 3 switches ON only if relay 1 & 2 are ON which implies transformer was checked if the required +12V ac output voltage
that supply at R,Y and B are available. The output contacts of was achieved (depends on the tran
transformer used in the circuit).
relay 3 are fed to relay 4, NC contacts both of which are 3 – CO If a battery was used, it will check if it is fully charged or not
relays. Thus, the R, Y, B are fed
ed to relay 3, each NO contacts of according to the specified voltage of the battery by a multimulti-
relay 4. meter.
All the NO contacts of relay 4 are connected to form a star-star The voltage achieved was applied to the power supply circuit.
mode configuration to the motor connection coil U1-U2, V1-V2, This test was done without ICs
Cs because if there is any excessive
W1-W2. While relay 4 is switched ON by the timer IC; after voltage, this may lead to damaging the ICs. If a circuit consists
main supply switch ON takingg a time delay, the contacts of of voltage regulator then the input to the voltage regulator will
relay 4 changes the motor connections to delta mode by the NC be checked (7805, 7809, 7815, 7812, 7915), if the required
contacts duly wired. Single phasing means any one or two input is +12V, the required output can be obtained depending
phases Y & B triggers either relay1 or relay 2 OFF, that results on the regulator used in the circuit.
in relay3 to switch OFF. Even when phase R is not available
Forinstance, 7805 will bring an output of 5V while 7809 will
the relay3 is also switched off since the coil gets supply from
produce +9V at output pin and so on.
this phase (Ademir, 2015) .
This output from the voltage regulator is given to the power
Thus,when relay 3 is switchedOFF, it prevents the input 3- 3
supply pin of specific ICs. Hence the voltage level at those pins
phase to reach the motor supply to protect the same for single
were checked if the required voltage was gotten. Similarly,
phasing. At the time off switch ON monostable timer 555 goes
check for the other terminals for the required voltage was
HIGN at Pin 3 that switches ON transistor BC547,which turns
carried out. There was an assurance that the voltage at all the
ON the relay 4 that enables star mode operation. The star LED
terminals is as per the requirement.
ement.
connected across this relay 4 coil indicates the motor running in
star mode. After the time over as decided by the RC time When the circuit was connected to 33-phase supply, three out of
constant formed out of 470k potentiometer in series with 68k the six lamps glowed with low intensity. This was caused by
resistor and the capacitor of 470 , connected to pin 2 and 6 the line voltage which is the voltage between two given phases
of the timer to form a monostable like operation. Thus after has a value of 440volts, because each phase voltage which is
transition in time, Pin3 goes low to switch ON transistor the
he voltage between a given phase and neutral has a voltage
BC558, a PNP transistor that switch ON an LED named as value of 220 volts.
delta to indicate the motor running in delta operation and the
relay 4 is switched off enabling the motor to run in delta mode
(Chapman, 2010).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Continuity Test
The continuity test was performed by placing a small voltage
(wired in series with a LED or noise-producing
producing component
such as a piezoelectric speaker) across the chosen path. If
electron flow is inhibited by broken conductors, damaged
components, or excessive
ive resistance, the circuit is "open".
The devices that was used to perform this test include multi-
multi
meters which measure current and specialized continuity testers
which are cheaper, more basic devices, generally with a simple
light bulb that lights up when current flows.
This test was performed just after the hardware soldering and Figure 5 Constructed star
star-delta circuit.
configuration has been completed. This test aims at finding any
electrical open paths in the circuit after the soldering. Often, the
electrical continuity in the circuit is lost st due to improper
soldering, wrong and rough handling of the PCB, improper
usage of the soldering iron, component failures and presence of
39211 | P a g e
 International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 11, Issue, 07 (B), pp. 39207-39212,, July, 2020

Figure 9 Constructed automatic star

star-delta starter

Figure 6 Three phase power supply CONCLUSION

Hence, the six lamps were wired to receive a voltage of 440 The starting current of an induction motor is around eight to ten
volts to glow, with two lamps each representing a winding. times the motor rated current. The high current persists for a
When supply was connected, the star mode was triggered and few cycles. Since the windings of the motor are designed to
the line voltage was reduced by a factor of 0.58, shown below carry maximum of rated current, this high current during
starting off the induction motor can cause damage. Hence, the
440 = 254 authors are motivated to solving this problem.
√3
This paper presents a design and construction of an automatic
This was why the lamps glowed dimly indicating the supply
star-delta
delta starter to limit the starting current of the induction
voltage across the coils are 254 volts.
motor with the use of reduced voltage electromechanical
starter. Automatic star/delta starter using relays and adjustable
electronic timer is used and the starting current and torque is
limited to one-third
third as compared to nine times in open loop.
References
Suvra, G,2014. Fuzzy Logicc Based Soft Starting of Induction
Motor with Current Control, National Institute of
Technology, Rourkela.
Thompson, S P, 2017. Polyphase Electric Currents and
Alternate-Current
Current Motors”, (1st edition.). London: E. &
F.N. Spon. P. 261, 1895.
Ferraris, G. Atti
ti della Reale Academia delle Science di
Torino”. XXIII: 360-375.
375. 1888.
Babbage, C; Herschel, J.F.W. 2017. Account of the
Figure 7 Circuit in star mode operation Repetition of M. Arago’s Experiments on the
Thereafter, the six lamps were seen to glow brighter. This was Magnetism Manifested by Various substances during the
because of the 555-timer
timer operating in monostable mode after a Act of Rotation. Philosophical Trans
Transactions of the Royal
duration of 5 seconds, though this time can be adjusted, it was Society.
able to trigger the delta mode. Terrel C and Wiltord SEd, American Electricians Handbook,
Eleventh Edition, McGraw Hill, NEW York, ISBN 00-
Hence, in the delta operation, the lamps glowed with full 07-013932-6 pp.78-150150 through 77-159.
intensity indicating full supply voltages of 440 volts. Nevelsteen, J and Aragon, H. 1989. Starting of large motors
motors-
vol.25,pp.1012-1018/No
1018/Nov.
Paul, H and Winfried, H. 1989. The Art of Electronics
Second Edition, Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge MA, ISBN 00-521-37095-7, pp.58.
Pansini 1999. Electrical Transformers and Power Equipment,
pp. 89-91.
Andreas F. 2015. Pros and Cons of current starting methods.
Ademir N, Jose de Oliveira, Rafael F. C, Rogerio P. D and
Luiz Carlos S. M,2010. Soft starting of induction motor
with torque control, IEEE Transactions on industry
Applications; vol. 46, No.3, May/June.
Figure 8 Circuit in delta mode operation
Chapman S.J.2005. “Electric Machin
Machinery Fundamentals”,
4thEd., Australia: McGraw Hill, pp.380
pp.380-472.
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