Pradeep P Star - Delta Starter

The most common method for starting a three-phase induction motor is with a star-
delta starter. During the starting period of star-delta starting, an induction motor is connected
through a star connection. Then, once the motor has reached the desired speed, it is
connected through a delta connection.

A motor with a star-connected stator winding can be started with a star-delta starter.
The motor will begin to operate in a delta-connected stator winding when it reaches around
80% of its full load speed.
VL = Supply Line Voltage,
ILS = Supply Line Current,
IPS = Winding Current per Phase, and
Z = Impedance per phase winding at standstill condition.
The winding current per phase (IPS) equals supply line current since the winding is star
connected (ILS). Therefore, the phase current and line current are the same.
𝐼𝑃𝑆 = 𝐼𝐿𝑆

Figure 1: Star connection

The winding is connected in a star configuration, and the voltage across each phase is
𝑉𝐿 𝑉𝐿
.As a result, the winding current per phase is 𝐼𝑃𝑆 = .Since here, the winding current per
√3 √3 𝑍
𝑉𝐿 𝑉𝐿
phase (IPS) equals the supply line current (ILS), we can write, 𝐼𝑃𝑆 = → 𝐼𝐿𝑆 = .
√3 𝑍 √3 𝑍
Pradeep P Star - Delta Starter

Consider the following scenario: The motor is started with a delta-connected stator
winding from the same three-phase supply points.

Figure 2: Delta connection

ILD is for Supply Line Current, IPD refers to Winding Current per Phase, and Z stands for
Impedance per phase winding in a standstill condition. The supply line current (ILD) is root
three times the winding current per phase since the winding is delta connected.

(IPD) →𝐼𝐿𝐷 = √3 𝐼𝑃𝐷

Because the winding is delta connected, the voltage across each phase is VL. Hence, the
𝑉𝐿
winding current per phase is 𝐼𝑃𝐷 = .
𝑍

Now, we can write,

√3 𝑉𝐿
𝐼𝐿𝐷 = √3 𝐼𝑃𝐷 =
𝑍
The supply line currents drawn by an induction motor with a star and delta-connected
winding are now compared, and the results are as follows:

√3 𝑉𝐿
𝐼𝐿𝐷 𝑍 = 3 → 𝐼 = 1𝐼
= 𝐿𝑆
𝐼𝐿𝑆 𝑉𝐿 3 𝐿𝐷
√3𝑍

As a result, we may conclude that in the case of a star-delta, the initial current from
the mains is equal to one-third of direct switching in the delta. Once again, we know that an
induction motor's starting torque is inversely proportional to the square of the voltage given
per phase of the winding.
Pradeep P Star - Delta Starter

𝑉𝐿 2
) (
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 √3 1
= 2 =
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑉𝐿 3

According to the equation, the star delta starter reduces the starting torque to one-
third of what the DOL starter provides. The star-delta starter is similar to an autotransformer
with a 57.7 % tapping.

In this scenario, figure 3 above depicts an induction motor (1) modelled using a star-
delta starter.

Figure 3: Simple Network

Figure 4: Motor starting – Star-Delta

Figure 4 shows the starter was set at 5 seconds for switching from the star to the delta
position.
Pradeep P Star - Delta Starter

Figure 5: Simulation results

As the simulation results, the motor initially produces less electrical torque, but after
five seconds, the torque increases due to the change from star to delta position.

Figure 6: Electrical and Mechanical torques of the induction motor.

Pradeep P Star - Delta Starter

Now, using the manual calculation, we determine the electrical torque produced:

Figure 7: Parameters of the induction motor.

Motor starting or standstill torque is 0.7 p.u or 70 %. So, from this 0.7 p.u,
0.7
We get = 0.233 𝑝. 𝑢, but figure 6 shows the result is 0.226 p.u, so now consider the voltage
3

in the graph. It is 1 p.u, shown in figure 8.

Figure 8: Voltage results of the induction motor(1).

However, the initial value of the voltage is 0.976 p.u rather than 1 p.u shown in figure 8.

T is directly proportional to the square of the voltage.

Pradeep P Star - Delta Starter

𝑉𝐿𝐿
When it is the star, we applied .
√3

(𝑉𝐿𝐿 )2 (𝑉𝐿𝐿 )2
So the starting torque is 2 = .
(√3) 3

As a result, the starting torque and current will be reduced by one-third.

Initially, we have concluded,

As torque, we get around 0.222 p.u in the graph's result shown in figure 6.

Now, in our scenario, the VLL is 0.976 p.u and using the phase voltage, we should square this,
(0.976)2
So 0.7 ∗ = 0.2222 𝑝. 𝑢.The starting torque to get the result of 0.222 p.u.
3

Figure 9: Current results of the induction motor(1).

6.2
Similarly, the rated current is = 2.066 𝑝. 𝑢, but it is 2.014 p.u shown in figure 9
3

because of the voltage. So we just multiplied by voltage 0.976 p.u, and now we get 2.0164
p.u.For the peak current, calculate 6.2 ∗ 0.931 = 0.57722 𝑝. 𝑢. Around the values are
matching with peak current.
Pradeep P Star - Delta Starter

Figure 10: Speed curve results of the induction motor(1).

The speed curve variations at the moment it switched are shown in the above figure
10. The slope of the curve is initially less after changes to the delta position increase due to
the high voltage. For example, if you apply 110 % Voltage, the motor starts quickly. However,
the motor's acceleration time will be increased if the voltage is less than 80 or 90 %.

Note: If you apply a higher voltage, the motor starts quickly.

Pradeep P Star - Delta Starter

Conclusion:
The current is reduced when using a star-delta starter, but starting the motor before
it reaches 70 % is not easy. Assume 100 % voltage at the advantages is that starting current is
reduced 1/3rd only, and the voltage dip is also reduced to 0.976 p.u.It is an expensive method
that is widely used in simple methods.

Disadvantages:

• The torque is reduced by one-third due to the voltage.

• It's also not used when a high starting torque is required. An example, consider large
motors.
• The motor cannot be started if the standstill torque is less than 1 p.u.

Application of Star Delta Starter:

A star-delta starter is suitable for situations where the required starting current is low,
and the line current draw must be kept to a minimum value. The star-delta starter is
unsuitable when a high starting torque supply is required. Instead, a DOL starter needs to be
used for these situations. The motor won't have enough torque to get to speed before
changing to the delta position if it is overloaded. It is mainly used for fan-type loads: pumps,
and irrigation purposes.

References:

IEEE 3002.7-2018 Recommended Practice for Conducting Motor-Starting Studies and

Analysis of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems.
https://www.electrical4u.com/star-delta-starter/
IPSA Digsilent Powerfactory training at Power Projects.