Information Sheet

Basic Motor Control

Introduction
A motor controller is a device or set of devices that help in regulating the manner in which a motor
works. There are two modes through which motor control components can start or stop the motor, either manual
or automatic. The controller is also able to engage the motor into forward or reverse rotation as well as
regulating and limiting the rotary speed, torque, and protecting against electrical fails and overloads.
A motor control circuit, for the most part, is simply a switch (or group of switches) and a motor. If you
keep the word “switch” in mind, it helps keep the intimidating subject of “motor control” in its proper context.

Ladder Diagram Construction

Construction of simple ladder diagram.
 Push button switch
 Motor Starter (Contactor and Thermal Overload Relay)
Contactor Coil
Main Contact A1 and A2
Line Side
L1(R/1), L2(S/3), L3(T/5)

Auxiliary NO Contact
43 and 44
Auxiliary NC Contact
30 and 31

Main Contact
Load Side
T1(U/2), T2(V/4), T3(W/6)

Coil Contact Main Contact Normally Open (NO) Normally Close (NC)
A1 L1(R/1) with T1(U/2) 43 with 44 30 and 31
A2 L2(S/3) with T2(V/4) Note: NO and NC contact number is not standard, it
L3(T/5) with T3(W/6) might change depend on brand and model.

Line Side
Ampere Setting
L1(R/1), L2(S/3), L3(T/5)
NO Contact
98 and 97

NC Contact
95 and 96

Load Side
T1(U/2), T2(V/4), T3(W/6)

Coil Contact Main Contact Normally Open (NO) Normally Close (NC)
L1(R/1) with T1(U/2) 98 with 97 95 and 96
L2(S/3) with T2(V/4) Note: NO and NC contact number is not standard, it
L3(T/5) with T3(W/6) might change depend on brand and model.
Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001
July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II
Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez
Ladder Diagram Construction

1. Construction of simple ladder diagram.

 Push button switch
 Contactor
A. Construct a ladder diagram that will energize the Contactors Holding Coil when we press the start push
button and turn off when we release the start push button.

HC1 =
Holding

A1 A2
 For this ladder diagram the Contactors Holding Coil will only energize when you press or hold the
start push button.
 When you release start button the Contactors Holding Coil will immediately de-energize.
Note:
 Always label your components and contact to prevent confusion in actual wiring.
 This symbol means relay contact number where the wire is going to be connected.
 This is the symbol for Contactors Holding Coil but we need to write label inside it because in future
we will use many relay which has individual coil to prevent confusion.

B. Construct a ladder diagram that will keep the Relay Coil energize when we press the start push button even
we release the start push button and will stop when We press the stop push button.

A2
A1

43 44

 Now that we have holding contact (Jumper) on our ladder diagram, our Contactors Holding Coil will
be energize if we press the start push button.
 Once the Contactor is energize, the normally open contact will close, because of that the current
will flow in the holding contact.
 Even we release start push button our Contactors Holding Coil will stay energize.
 The only way to turn off the Contactors Holding Coil is to press the stop push button.
Note:
 Kindly notice the HC1 label on the contactor NO contact, we need to practice writing label on ladder
diagram to prevent confusion when we are going to use many relay or contactor in one ladder diagram

2. Construction of simple ladder diagram with Pilot Lamp (Light Indicator)

 Push button switch
 Contactor
 Eight Pin Relay
 Pilot Lamp (Light Indicator)

Coil Contact Common Normally Normally

Contact Open (NO) Close (NC)
2 1 1 with 3 1 with 4
7 8 8 with 6 8 with 5

Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001

July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II
Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez
A. Construct a ladder diagram that has a green pilot lamp that will indicate that the Contactors Holding Coil
and Relay Coil is energize.

A2
A1

44 7
43 2

1 3

 When start push button is press, the Contactors Holding Coil and Relay Coil will energize and
the Green pilot lamp will light up.
 The Contactors Holding Coil and Relay Coil will stay energize until we press stop button.
 Letter G inside the symbol of pilot lamp indicates the color. Example G for green, R for red and Y for
yellow.

B. Construct a ladder diagram that has a red pilot lamp that will light up if the circuit is not working and it turn off
when the start push button is being press.

A1 A2

44
43 2 7
5
8

 If the circuit is not working or on standby the red pilot lamp is light up.
 But when we push the start push button, the Contactors Holding Coil and Relay Coil will
energize and the normally close contact (1 and 4) will open that causes the red pilot lamp to turn
off.
 Then if we press stop push button the Contactors Holding Coil and Relay Coil de-energize then
the red pilot lamp will light up again.
 Letter R inside the symbol of pilot lamp indicates the color. Example G for green, R for red and Y for
yellow.

C. Construct a ladder diagram that has red pilot lamp that indicate that the circuit is off and a green pilot lamp
that indicate that the circuit is turned on

A2
A1

44
43 2 7

1 3

5
8

Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001

July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II
Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez
  If the circuit is not working or on standby the red pilot lamp is light up.
 But when we push the start push button, the Contactors Holding Coil and Relay Coil will
energize the red pilot lamp will turn off and the green pilot lamp will turn on.
 Then if we press stop push button the Contactors Holding Coil and Relay Coil de-energize and
the red pilot lamp will light up and the green pilot lamp will turn off.
 This kind of ladder diagram is common in our common house hold appliances and industrial machine, red
pilot lamp indicates that the machine is turned off and Green pilot lamp indicates that the machine
is running or turned on.

3. Construction of simple ladder diagram

 Circuit breaker
 Motor Starter (Contactor and Thermal Overload Relay)
 3 phase motor
 Eight Pin Relay
 Buzzer

A. Construct a diagram of 3phase motor connected to motor starter and circuit breaker

Circuit Breaker

Contactor

Motor Starter

Overload Relay

3 Phase Motor

 This diagram shows the basic connection of motor, motor starter, and circuit breaker.
 The motor will not run even there is supply because the contactor holding coil is not energize.
 If the contactor holding coil is not energize the connection from L1(R/1), L2(S/3), L3(T/5) to T1(U/2,
T2(V/4), T3(W/6 remain open and the electricity will not reach the motor.

Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001

July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II
Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez
B. Construct a diagram of 3phase motor connected to motor starter and circuit breaker with switches and pilot
lamp.

A2
A1 95 96
O.L.

44
43 2 7

3
1

5
8

  In this ladder diagram, the motor can be control by

switch (on and off).
 It also has a pilot lamp that can indicate if the motor is off
(red) or in running (Green) condition.
 If the Thermal Overload Relay trips (detect over heating in
the motor), the normally close contact (95 and 96) will open.
o It will de-energize the contactor holding coil and it will turn off the whole system to
prevent further damage.
o The red pilot lamp will light up
 The only way to re run the motor is to reset the thermal overload relay.
o But before resetting the thermal overload relay, we must conduct visual inspection on the
circuit connection and on motor to check if some damage is occur.

Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001

July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II
Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez
C. Construct a diagram of 3phase motor connected to motor starter and circuit breaker with switches, pilot lamp
and buzzer that will activate if thermal overload relay trips.

96
A1 A2 95
O.L.

43 44 2 7

3
1

5
8

97
98
O.L.

 In this ladder diagram, the motor can be control by switch (on and off).
 It also has a pilot lamp that can indicate if the motor is off (red) or in running (Green) condition.
 If the Thermal Overload Relay trips (detect over heating in the motor), the normally close contact
(95 and 96) will open.
o It will de-energize the contactor holding coil and it will turn off the whole system to
prevent further damage.
o The red pilot lamp will light up
o The normally open contact (98 and 97) will close and the buzzer will activate.
 The only way to re run the motor is to reset the thermal overload relay.
o But before resetting the thermal overload relay, we must conduct visual inspection on the
circuit connection and on motor to check if some damage is occur.

Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001

July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II
Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez
 Self-Check
Direction: Construct the required diagram with complete label of contacts on extra bond paper.

1. Construct a diagram of 3phase motor connected to motor starter and circuit breaker with switches (start and
stop), pilot lamp (Red for off and Green for On) and buzzer that will activate if thermal overload relay trips.

Construction of motor control diagram

 Circuit breaker
 Motor Starter (Contactor and Thermal Overload Relay)
 3 phase motor
 Eight Pin Relay
 Buzzer

Contactor Coil
Main Contact A1 and A2
Line Side
L1(R/1), L2(S/3), L3(T/5)

Auxiliary NO Contact
43 and 44
Auxiliary NC Contact
30 and 31

Main Contact
Load Side
T1(U/2), T2(V/4), T3(W/6)

Line Side
Ampere Setting
L1(R/1), L2(S/3), L3(T/5)
NO Contact
98 and 97

NC Contact
95 and 96

Load Side
T1(U/2), T2(V/4), T3(W/6)

Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001

July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II
Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez