Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching

of Three-phase Induction Motors

Transient Current Peak Reduction
using a Preferred Circuitry
Configuration for Clockwise and
Counterclockwise Motor Rotation
Siemens
Industrial Controls / SIRIUS Controls Industry
Online
https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/24499345 Support
 Legal information

Legal information
Use of application examples
Application examples illustrate the solution of automation tasks through an interaction of several
components in the form of text, graphics and/or software modules. The application examples are
a free service by Siemens AG and/or a subsidiary of Siemens AG ("Siemens"). They are
non-binding and make no claim to completeness or functionality regarding configuration and
equipment. The application examples merely offer help with typical tasks; they do not constitute
customer-specific solutions. You yourself are responsible for the proper and safe operation of the
products in accordance with applicable regulations and must also check the function of the
respective application example and customize it for your system.
Siemens grants you the non-exclusive, non-sublicensable and non-transferable right to have the
application examples used by technically trained personnel. Any change to the application
examples is your responsibility. Sharing the application examples with third parties or copying the
application examples or excerpts thereof is permitted only in combination with your own products.
The application examples are not required to undergo the customary tests and quality inspections
of a chargeable product; they may have functional and performance defects as well as errors. It is
your responsibility to use them in such a manner that any malfunctions that may occur do not
result in property damage or injury to persons.

Disclaimer of liability
Siemens shall not assume any liability, for any legal reason whatsoever, including, without
limitation, liability for the usability, availability, completeness and freedom from defects of the
application examples as well as for related information, configuration and performance data and
any damage caused thereby. This shall not apply in cases of mandatory liability, for example
under the German Product Liability Act, or in cases of intent, gross negligence, or culpable loss of
life, bodily injury or damage to health, non-compliance with a guarantee, fraudulent
non-disclosure of a defect, or culpable breach of material contractual obligations. Claims for
damages arising from a breach of material contractual obligations shall however be limited to the
 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

foreseeable damage typical of the type of agreement, unless liability arises from intent or gross
negligence or is based on loss of life, bodily injury or damage to health. The foregoing provisions
do not imply any change in the burden of proof to your detriment. You shall indemnify Siemens
against existing or future claims of third parties in this connection except where Siemens is
mandatorily liable.
By using the application examples you acknowledge that Siemens cannot be held liable for any
damage beyond the liability provisions described.

Other information
Siemens reserves the right to make changes to the application examples at any time without
notice. In case of discrepancies between the suggestions in the application examples and other
Siemens publications such as catalogs, the content of the other documentation shall have
precedence.
The Siemens terms of use (https://support.industry.siemens.com) shall also apply.

Security information
Siemens provides products and solutions with Industrial Security functions that support the secure
operation of plants, systems, machines and networks.
In order to protect plants, systems, machines and networks against cyber threats, it is necessary
to implement – and continuously maintain – a holistic, state-of-the-art industrial security concept.
Siemens’ products and solutions constitute one element of such a concept.
Customers are responsible for preventing unauthorized access to their plants, systems, machines
and networks. Such systems, machines and components should only be connected to an
enterprise network or the Internet if and to the extent such a connection is necessary and only
when appropriate security measures (e.g. firewalls and/or network segmentation) are in place.
For additional information on industrial security measures that may be implemented, please visit
https://www.siemens.com/industrialsecurity.
Siemens’ products and solutions undergo continuous development to make them more secure.
Siemens strongly recommends that product updates are applied as soon as they are available
and that the latest product versions are used. Use of product versions that are no longer
supported, and failure to apply the latest updates may increase customer’s exposure to cyber
threats.
To stay informed about product updates, subscribe to the Siemens Industrial Security RSS Feed
at: https://www.siemens.com/industrialsecurity.

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 2
 Table of contents

Table of contents
Legal information ......................................................................................................... 2
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 4
2 Function .............................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Description of the Functionality for Clockwise Motor Rotation ............. 5
2.1.1 The Preferred Circuitry Configuration is Implemented ......................... 5
2.1.2 The Preferred Circuitry Configuration is not Implemented ................... 6
2.2 Changing the Direction of Rotation from Clockwise to
Counterclockwise ................................................................................. 7
2.3 Device Rating for Standard Start-up .................................................... 7
2.4 Favorable and Unfavorable Circuitry Configurations ........................... 8
3 Assembly and Wiring ...................................................................................... 10
3.1 Main Circuit Overview ........................................................................ 10
1.1 Control Circuit Overview..................................................................... 10
4 Siemens – The Solution for Complete Contactor Assemblies for
Star-delta Starting (Wye-delta Starting) up to 90 kW for one Direction
of Rotation ........................................................................................................ 11
5 Annex ................................................................................................................ 13
5.1 Contact Partner .................................................................................. 13
5.2 Bibliography ........................................................................................ 13
 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 3
 1 Introduction

1 Introduction
Star-delta (wye-delta) starting continues to be used for switching on 3-phase
induction motors. When this type of connection method is used, the starting current
is reduced to 1/3 of the current required for direct switching.

When switching from a star (wye) circuit to a delta circuit, transients can occur in
the motor, which, further intensified by an unfavorable constellation of line
frequency and inductor field, lead to the development of larger current peaks than
is the case if the stopped motor is directly switched into a delta connection. In an
unfavorable case, the following problems could occur:
• Short-circuit devices could trip,
• The delta contactor could become welded or be subject to high contact erosion,
• The motor could be subject to extreme dynamic overloading.

A preferred circuitry configuration for star-delta (wye-delta) starters is described in

this Functional Example. When the main circuit is connected in a favorable
manner, it is possible to reduce the transient currents and current peaks that
develop when the motor is switched over from a star (wye) connection to a delta
connection.
 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 4
 2 Function

2 Function
Two different types of motor connections are often listed in star-delta (wye-delta)
starter circuit diagrams: One for clockwise and one for counterclockwise motor
rotation. When installing the motor, care should be taken to ensure that the
transient current peaks are as small as possible. Correct wiring of the motor
terminal board is essential.

2.1 Description of the Functionality for Clockwise Motor

Rotation
2.1.1 The Preferred Circuitry Configuration is Implemented

The vector diagram illustrated below shows the voltages that develop in a motor
with clockwise rotation when the motor is switched from a star (wye) to a delta
connection. In this case, the motor terminals are correctly connected according to
the preferred circuitry configuration, meaning that phase L1 is connected to the
motor terminals U1 and V2, L2 is connected to V1 and W2, and L3 is connected to
W1 and U2:
L1 L2 L3
L1 L2 L3
 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

U1 V1 W1
U1 V1 W1

U2 V2 W2 U2 V2 W2

Fig. 1: Correct connection of the motor phases for clockwise rotation

The rotor lags during the idle

pause
Phase sequence

L1

U L1´− N

L3‘ L1‘

∆U U L1− L 3
U L1´− N
U L1− L 3 N

L3 L2

L2‘
Fig. 2: Vector diagram for switching from a star (wye) connection to a delta connection for
clockwise motor rotation when the motor phases are correctly connected

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 5
 2 Function

During the idle changeover delay, the rotor lags behind the phase sequence. The
magnetic field induces a damped residual voltage, which is listed here in the
voltage vector diagram for phase L1: U L1' − N . When switching over to a delta
connection (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), the stator winding carrying this residual voltage is
supplied with the line voltage U L1− L 3 . Thanks to the favorable vector position of the
residual voltage U L1' − N and the line voltage U L1− L 3 , which have approximately the
same values, the differential voltage ∆U is relatively small. Thus, the current peaks
resulting from this voltage also remain small.

2.1.2 The Preferred Circuitry Configuration is not Implemented

The motor also rotates clockwise when the motor terminals are connected as
follows: Phase L1 is connected to motor terminals U1 and W2, L2 is connected to
V1 and U2, and L3 is connected to W1 and V2.
L1 L2 L3

U1 V1 W1

U2 V2 W2
 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

Fig. 3: Incorrect connection of the motor phases also resulting in clockwise motor rotation

Both the lagging residual voltage and the damped residual voltage are active in the
stator. When the motor is switched to a delta connection, the phase winding with
the vector U L1' − N is supplied with the line phase U L1− L 2 . However, each of these
voltages has a different vectorial direction. The differential voltage ∆U is high, thus
causing a correspondingly high transient current peak. Switching from a star (wye)
connection to a delta connection therefore results in the following vector diagram:
The rotor lags during the
idle pause
Phase sequence

L1
U L1´− N

L1‘
L3‘
U L1− L 2

U L1´− N U L1− L 2
N ∆U

L3 L2

L2‘
Fig. 4: Vector diagram for connecting the motor phases according to Fig. 3,
resulting in a large transient current peak

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 6
 2 Function

2.2 Changing the Direction of Rotation from Clockwise to

Counterclockwise
When the motor rotates counterclockwise it is sufficient to exchange two
phases in any position. Then the same conditions would prevail as
described above for clockwise rotation. In order to also keep the transient
current peak as small as possible in this case when switching from a star
(wye) connection to a delta connection, the wiring must be carried out as
illustrated below:

L1 L2 L3 L1 L2 L3

U1 V1 W1 U1 V1 W1

U2 V2 W2 U2 V2 W2

Fig. 5: Correct connection of the motor phases for counterclockwise rotation of the motor
 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

Refer to Section 3 for information regarding the wiring of the main current and the
control current. The circuit diagrams for contact assemblies for star-delta (wye-
delta) starting with clockwise and counterclockwise motor rotation are illustrated in
the preferred circuitry configuration.

2.3 Device Rating for Standard Start-up

Star (wye) contactor: Ie Motor x 0.33
Line/delta contactor: Ie Motor x 0.58
Overload relay: Ie Motor x 0.58

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 7
 2 Function

2.4 Favorable and Unfavorable Circuitry Configurations

The different types of connection combinations are summarized here together with
the delta connection wiring.
.
Rewiring

Unfavorable versions Favorable versions

Circuitry configuration, clockwise, Circuitry configuration, clockwise,

unfavorable favorable
U1: L1 U2: L2 U1: L1 U2: L3
V1: L2 V2: L3 V1: L2 V2: L1
W1: L3 W2: L1 W1: L3 W2: L2

Circuitry configuration, clockwise, Circuitry configuration, clockwise,

unfavorable favorable
U1: L2 U2: L3 U1: L2 U2: L1
V1: L3 V2: L1 V1: L3 V2: L2
W1: L1 W2: L2 W1: L1 W2: L3

Circuitry configuration, clockwise, Circuitry configuration, clockwise,

 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

unfavorable favorable
U1: L3 U2: L1 U1: L3 U2: L2
V1: L1 V2: L2 V1: L1 V2: L3
W1: L2 W2: L3 W1: L2 W2: L1

Circuitry configuration, Circuitry configuration,

counterclockwise, unfavorable counterclockwise, favorable
U1: L1 U2: L2 U1: L1 U2: L3
V1: L3 V2: L1 V1: L3 V2: L2
W1: L2 W2: L3 W1: L2 W2: L1

Circuitry configuration, Circuitry configuration,

counterclockwise, unfavorable counterclockwise, favorable
U1: L3 U2: L1 U1: L3 U2: L2
V1: L2 V2: L3 V1: L2 V2: L1
W1: L1 W2: L2 W1: L1 W2: L3

Circuitry configuration, Circuitry configuration,

counterclockwise, unfavorable counterclockwise, favorable
U1: L2 U2: L3 U1: L2 U2: L1
V1: L1 V2: L2 V1: L1 V2: L3
W1: L3 W2: L1 W1: L3 W2: L2

Comment: When two phases in the circuit are exchanged to change the direction of rotation,
the connection is automatically switched from the more favorable connection to the less
favorable one and vice versa.

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 8
 2 Function

℘ = Transient current factor = transient current peak/starting current peak

In theory, the transient current factor has a maximum value of 2.

For example, measured: Favorable connection: ℘ = 0.8

Unfavorable connection: ℘ = 1.37
 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 9
 3 Assembly and Wiring

3 Assembly and Wiring

3.1 Main Circuit Overview
In the following graphic, the preferred circuitry configuration for the main circuit is
illustrated for a star-delta (wye-delta) connection for clockwise and
counterclockwise motor rotation.

L1 L2 L3

Line
CCW
Line
CW
Delta
CCW
Delta
CW Y

CCW rotation W1 W2 CW rotation

L1-V1 / V2-L3 L1-U1 / U2-L3
 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

V1
L2-U1 / U2-L1 M V2 L2-V1 / V2-L1
L3-W1 / W2-L2 L3-W1 / W2-L2
U1
3~ U2

Fig. 6: Main circuit of the contactor assembly for star-delta (wye-delta) starting

1.1 Control Circuit Overview

The control circuit for the main circuit shown above is illustrated below.

L1/L+

Line CCW Y Line CW

Delta CCW Y

Delta CW

N/L- Timing Star (wye) Delta Delta Line Line

relay contactor CCW CCW CCW CW

Fig. 7: Control circuit of the contactor assembly for star-delta (wye-delta) starting

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 10
 4 Siemens – The Solution for Complete Contactor Assemblies for Star-delta Starting (Wye-
delta Starting) up to 90 kW for one Direction of Rotation

4 Siemens – The Solution for Complete

Contactor Assemblies for Star-delta
Starting (Wye-delta Starting) up to 90 kW
for one Direction of Rotation

Contactor assemblies

3-phase motor Completely wired and

 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

Size
AC-3/400 V tested

[kW] [A] Screw terminals

5,5 12 S00-S00-S00 3RA2415-8XF31-1…

7,5 16 S00-S00-S00 3RA2416-8XF31-1…

11 25 S00-S00-S00 3RA2417-8XF31-1…

11 25 S0-S0-S0 3RA2423-8XF32-1…

15/18,5 32/40 S0-S0-S0 3RA2425-8XF32-1…

22 50 S0-S0-S0 3RA2426-8XF32-1…

22/30 50 S2-S2-S0 3RA2434-8XF32-1…

37 80 S2-S2-S0 3RA2435-8XF32-1…

45 86 S2-S2-S0 3RA2436-8XF32-1…

55 115 S2-S2-S2 3RA2437-8XF32-1…

55 115 S3-S3-S2 3RA2444-8XF32-1…

75 150 S3-S3-S2 3RA2445-8XF32-1…

90 160 S3-S3-S2 3RA2446-8XF32-1…

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 11
 4 Siemens – The Solution for Complete Contactor Assemblies for Star-delta Starting (Wye-
delta Starting) up to 90 kW for one Direction of Rotation

Contactor assemblies

3-phase motor Completely wired and

Size
AC-3/400 V tested
Spring-loaded
[kW] [A]
terminals
5,5 12 S00-S00-S00 3RA2415-8XF31-2…

7,5 16 S00-S00-S00 3RA2416-8XF31-2…

11 25 S00-S00-S00 3RA2417-8XF31-2…

11 25 S0-S0-S0 3RA2423-8XF32-2…

15/18,5 32/40 S0-S0-S0 3RA2425-8XF32-2…

22 50 S0-S0-S0 3RA2426-8XF32-2…

For further information, for example, regarding other voltages and/or accessories,
please refer to the IC 10 catalog.
 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 12
 5 Annex

5 Annex
5.1 Contact Partner
Technical Support for Electrical Products
Support requests: www.siemens.com/support-request
Telephone: +49 (911)-895-7222

5.2 Bibliography
[1] “Schalten, Schützen, Verteilen in Niederspannungsnetzen”, Fachbuch
Siemens [Switching, Protection and Distribution in Low-Voltage
Networks” (Siemens reference book)]

[2] L.Vercelli, Sprecher&Schuh AG, CH-5000 Aarau: “Rechts- und

Linkslauf der Motoren bei Y-D-Anlauf” in ELEKTRONIK (CH) 2/1978,
Seite 53 [“Clockwise and Counterclockwise Rotation in Motors For
Star-delta Starting (Wye-delta Starting)” in ELEKTRONIK (CH)
2/1978, p. 53]
 Siemens AG 2006 All rights reserved

Star-delta (Wye-delta) Switching of 3-Phase Motors

Entry-ID: 24499345, V2.0, 11/2020 13