Induction-Motor Starting

• Connect directly across full-voltage using

a contactor for each phase.

ECE 441 1
 Full-Voltage Starting

• Major disadvantage is the high in-rush current.

Large voltage drops occur, dimming lights and
forcing computers off-line.

ECE 441 2
 Reduced-Voltage Starting

• Autotransformer starting

ECE 441 3
“S”, or “start” contactor – close to start the motor at a
reduced voltage – the autotransformers are set to 50, 60,
or 80 percent of full-voltage.
At rated speed, open the S contactors and close the “R”,
or run contactors – apply full voltage.
ECE 441 4
After coming up to speed, “Running”

ECE 441 5
 Example 5.18

• A three-phase, 15-hp, 460-V, 150-A, 60-

Hz, six-pole, 1141 r/min, design B motor
with a code letter H is to be started at
reduced voltage using an autotransformer
with a 65-% tap. Determine
• a) locked-rotor torque and expected
average in-rush current to the stator if the
motor is started at rated voltage

ECE 441 6
 Example 5.18 continued

• b) repeat part (a) assuming the motor is

started at reduced voltage using an
autotransformer with a 65% tap
• c) the in-rush current when starting at
reduced voltage.

ECE 441 7
 Example 5.18 Solution
Tn T (1141)
P  125 
5252 5252
Trated  575.37lb  ft
Check Table 5.1 for the minimum locked-
rotor torque for a 125-hp, design B, six-
pole motor
Tlr ,460  125%(Trated )
Tlr ,460  1.25(575.37)  719.2lb  ft

ECE 441 8
 Example 5.18 Solution continued

• From Table 5.9, the average locked-rotor

kVA/hp for a code H motor is

6.3  7.1
 6.70kVA / hp
2

ECE 441 9
 Example 5.18 Solution continued

• The expected average in-rush current to

the stator is

kVA / hp 1000  hp  3Vline I line

6.7 1000 125  3  460  I line
I line ,460  1051A

ECE 441 10
 Example 5.18 Solution continued

• With the 65% tap, the voltage across the

stator at locked-rotor is

V2  0.65  460  299V

ECE 441 11
 Example 5.18 Solution continued

The average in-rush current to the stator will

be proportional to the voltage applied to
the stator since the locked-rotor input
impedance is constant.

I  1051 0.65  683 A

ECE 441 12
 Example 5.18 Solution continued

• The locked-rotor torque is proportional to

the square of the voltage.

2 2
 V2   0.65  460 
T2  T1    719.2     303.9lb  ft
 V1   460 

ECE 441 13
 Current Curves

Transition from low to rated

voltage is at slip = 0.125.
shaft speed = ns(1-s)
shaft speed = 1200(1-0.125)
shaft speed = 1050 r/min

ECE 441 14
 Locked-Rotor Torque Curves

Transition from low to rated

voltage is at slip = 0.125.
shaft speed = ns(1-s)
shaft speed = 1200(1-0.125)
shaft speed = 1050 r/min

ECE 441 15
The in-rush line current

VHS ,line VHS ,line 1

a  
VLS ,line 0.65 VHS ,line 0.65
I LS
I HS   68.3  0.65  444 A
a

ECE 441 16