Chapter 40

Part Winding Starters

 Objectives
• Describe the construction of a motor
designed to be used for part winding
starting
• Discuss three-step starting for part winding
motors
• Draw a control circuit for a part winding
starter
• Connect a motor for part winding starting
 Introduction
• Part winding
starting:
– Another method of
reducing starting
current of squirrel-
cage induction
motors
 Introduction (cont’d.)
• When the motor is started, only one
winding is connected to power line
– Only half the motor winding is used during
starting
– Part winding starting
• Time delay of two to three seconds is
common before second winding is
connected in parallel with first
 Part Winding Starting
• Brings out both sets of motor leads so that
external connection is possible
• Reduces normal locked rotor current to
about 66% of value if both windings are
connected during starting
• Reduces torque to about 50%
 Overload Protection
• Each winding is individually protected by
thermal overload heaters
– Heaters for each overload relay should be
sized at one half motor nameplate current
• Contacts of both overload relays are
connected in series
– Overload on either relay will disconnect both
motor windings
 Overload Protection (cont’d.)
• Each starter carries half full load current of
motor
– Starter size can be reduced from what is
required for single starter
• Part winding starters provide closed
transition starting
– Motor is never disconnected from power line
during starting time
 Dual-Voltage Motors
• Some may be used for part winding
starting
• Delta connected, dual-voltage motors are
not acceptable for part winding starting
– Dual-voltage motors must be operated on low
voltage setting
 Motor Applications
• Typically used for motors supplying
moving force for centrifugal pumps, fans,
and blowers
– Often found in air conditioning and
refrigeration applications
• Not generally used to start heavy inertia
loads requiring excessive amount of
starting time
 Three-Step Starting
• Thermal capacity of stator windings limits
length of starting time for a part winding
motor
– Possible to provide a third step in starting
process and further limit starting current
• Connect resistance in series with stator winding
during starting period
 Three-Step Starting (cont’d.)
• Resistors are sized to provide about 50%
of line voltage to stator winding when
motor is first started
– Provides approximately three equal
increments of starting for motor
 Automatic Shut-Down
• Some circuits contain a timer to
disconnect power to motor if second
winding is not energized within a
predetermined time
– Watchdog timer
 Automatic Shut-Down (cont’d.)
• Watchdog timer:
– Function: to watch for proper operation of
circuit each time motor is started
– Often set for twice the amount of time
necessary for second winding to energize
 Automatic Shut-Down (cont’d.)
• When Start button is pushed:
– Watchdog timer begins its count
• If circuit operates properly, normally closed 2M
auxiliary contact will disconnect timer before it
times out and de-energizes control relay CR