How to Calculate Motor Starting Time

Filed in [Buildings Technology] By Steven on November 15th, 2011

Requests to
look at [induction] motor starting time have come up a few times on the site. Hopefully in this post, I give
you guys some idea on how to calculate this. Failing that, hopefully at least some understanding that it is
feasible.

Starting Time - it's a little complicated

Later in the article I'll give a formulae which you can apply to get an approximate starting time. Prior to that
it is worth while looking at a few of the influences which make accurate calculation more difficult.
The first thing to look at is the motor characteristic. The image shows a typical motor torque curve (CM)
and a hypothetical load torque curve superimposed (CL). The torque (Ca) available to accelerate the motor
up to speed is given by the difference between motor torque and load torque (CM - CL).
As can be seen, as the speed increases both the motor and load torque vary. The motor torque
characteristic is also a function of the design and construction of the motor and can vary significantly for
motors of the same rating. Starting methods (see Motor Starting - Introduction) also affect the available
motor torque and can even affect the shape of the curve.
Any torque used for acceleration needs to overcome both the inertia of the motor (JM) and the load (JL).
By using this and knowing and a bit of mechanical engineering (see the reference below), it is possible to
derive an equation for the time (ta) to accelerate from zero to the running speed (n0):

From the above, if you know the motor and load inertias and both the motor and load torque as a function
of speed (CM(n), CL(n)) you can calculate the starting time. While it is possible you could do this by solving
the equation for an exact solution, in practice you would generally use some numerical solution or
piecewise approximation.
With any complexity on the torque curves or starting arrangement, it is obvious that it is not a trivial matter
to calculated the time. For larger or particularly important motors the effort of dealing with this complexity
would be justifiable. If required, there are are software tools available to assist in the calculation.

Starting Time - an easier [rough] approximation

 By introducing some simplifications, it is possible to have an easier to use formulae to
give an approximation for the starting time.
The first simplification is to use an average value of motor torque, CM = 0.45 x (CS + +Cmax), where CS is the
inrush torque and Cmax the maximum torque. Both these figures are available from the manufacturer. For
reduced voltages, torque is reduced by the square of the reduction, so It should be possible to adjust the
average torque for reduced voltage starting (i.e. star-delta).
The second simplification is to use an adjustment factor (KL) to take care of varying load torque (CL) due to
speed changes:
Type of Load
Piston
Lift Fans Flywheel
Pumps
Load Factor, KL
1 0.33 0.5 0

Using the simplifications, the approximate starting time is given by:

Where Cacc is the effective acceleration torque and is given by:

An example will show how this works:

A 90 kW motor is used to drive a fan. From the motor manufacturer and mechanical
engineer we have:
Motor Rated Speed (no) - 1500 rpm
Motor Full Load Speed - 1486 rpm
Motor Inertial (JM) - 1.4 kg.m2
Motor Rated Torque - 549 Nm
Motor Inrush Torque (CS) - 1563 Nm
Motor Maximum Torque (Cmax) - 1679 Nm
Load Inertia (JL) - 30 kg.m2
Load Torque (CL) - 620 Nm
Load Factor (KL) - 0.33

In summary, while the calculation of motor starting time accurately is not trivial, it is possible make realistic
estimates for the most common starting scenarios by using a few simplifications. I have also put together
a Motor Starting Time Calculator, which you can find under 'Tool's on the menu or use the link here.
If anyone has anything to add please do so below. It would be particularly interesting if anyone has
measured starting times and is able to compare them to those calculated by the above.
References
I have used an ABB Application Paper, "Three-phase asynchronous motors - generalities and ABB
proposals for the coordination of protective devices" to put together much of this post. If your interested in
further information, you can Goggle the tile and download the document