ECE 441 1

Induction-Motor Starting
Connect directly across full-voltage using
a contactor for each phase.

ECE 441 2
Full-Voltage Starting
Major disadvantage is the high in-rush current.
Large voltage drops occur, dimming lights and
forcing computers off-line.
ECE 441 3
Reduced-Voltage Starting
Autotransformer starting

ECE 441 4
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 5
After coming up to speed, Running
ECE 441 6
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 7
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 8
Example 5.18 Solution
(1141)
125
5252 5252
575.37
rated
Tn T
P
T lb ft
= =
=
Check Table 5.1 for the minimum locked-
rotor torque for a 125-hp, design B, six-
pole motor
,460
,460
125%( )
1.25(575.37) 719.2
lr rated
lr
T T
T lb ft
=
= =
ECE 441 9
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
6.70 /
2
kVA hp
+
=
ECE 441 10
Example 5.18 Solution continued
The expected average in-rush current to
the stator is

,460
/ 1000 3
6.7 1000 125 3 460
1051
line line
line
line
kVA hp hp V I
I
I A
=
=
=
ECE 441 11
Example 5.18 Solution continued
With the 65% tap, the voltage across the
stator at locked-rotor is

2
0.65 460 299 V V = =
ECE 441 12
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.

1051 0.65 683 I A = =
ECE 441 13
Example 5.18 Solution continued
The locked-rotor torque is proportional to
the square of the voltage.

2
2
2
2 1
1
0.65 460
719.2 303.9
460
V
T T lb ft
V
| |

| |
= = =
|
|
\ .
\ .
ECE 441 14
Current Curves
Transition from low to rated
voltage is at slip = 0.125.
shaft speed = n
s
(1-s)
shaft speed = 1200(1-0.125)
shaft speed = 1050 r/min
ECE 441 15
Locked-Rotor Torque Curves
Transition from low to rated
voltage is at slip = 0.125.
shaft speed = n
s
(1-s)
shaft speed = 1200(1-0.125)
shaft speed = 1050 r/min
ECE 441 16
The in-rush line current
, ,
, ,
1
0.65 0.65
68.3 0.65 444
HS line HS line
LS line HS line
LS
HS
V V
a
V V
I
I A
a
= = =

= = =