NECESSITY OF STARTERS:

We know that armature current $$I_a = \frac { V - E_b} {R_a}$$

At start, speed of the motor, N = 0.

$ E_b = \frac {Φ P N} {60} × \frac{Z}{A}$, so if N = 0,$ E_b = 0 $

Then, $I_a = \frac {V-0}{R_a} = \frac {V}{R_a} $

Resistance of armature is very small.

Hence, armature current $I_a$ will be very large if the armature is directly connected across the rated voltage supply.

For example – Let Ra = 112, V = 200 V and power rating P = 5 kW = 5000 W

Then, rated current of the motor = 5000/200 = 25 A and

Starting current = V /Ra = 200/1 = 200 A, which is eight times greater than the rated current of motor.

Excessive starting current will blow out the fuses and before that it may damage the commutator, brushes etc.

The performance of other loads connected to the same line may also get affected due to the large voltage drop in the line.

To avoid this a variable resistance is introduced in the armature during starting period.

With starting resistance Rs in series with armature, the starting current $ =\frac {V}{R_a+R_s} $

Therefore, the high starting current is limited to a safe value.

Starting period is about 5 to 10 seconds depending on the size of motor.

Once the motor is started the speed of motor N increases. Therefore Ep increases and armature current decreases.

The starting resistance Rs is gradually cut out of the armature circuit as the motor gains speed and finally it is reduced to zero.

However, very small motors may be started directly by connecting them to supply lines because of the following reasons:

1) These motors have a relatively higher resistance, hence their starting current is not so high.

2) They have low moment of inertia, hence their speed increases quickly. 3) The starting current drawn by these motors is not sufficient to produce a large drop in line voltage.

• It has three terminals L, F and A.

• L is connected to +ve line terminal. F is connected to shunt field.

• A rheostat is inserted in the field circuit to control the speed of motor.

• A is connected to armature.

• Other terminals of armature and field are connected to the negative of the line.

• The starter arm or handle (H) is held in the 'OFF' position by a strong spiral spring (S) when the motor is at rest.

• Graded starting resistance in this case graded in five steps) is connected in series with armature.

• NVR coil is connected in series with the field winding and carries field current IshOLR coil carries load current IL.

• To start the motor, the main switch (M) is closed first.

• Then the starter handle is moved on the first stud.

• Thus complete resistance of all the five steps is included in the armature circuit.

• Therefore, the starting current $I_st = \frac {V}{R_a+ R_s} $where, Rs = resistance of all the steps.

• Thus starting current is reduced to a safe limit.

• When the motor gains sufficient speed, the starter arm should be moved slowly on the studs 2, 3, etc. up to the final position.

• As the arm is moved, the starting resistance is gradually cut out and finally it is reduced to zero. In this position, the soft iron piece (S) attached to the handle is attracted and held by NVR magnet.

• It is known as LOW VOLTAGE or NO VOLTAGE release. Its coil is called as - 'HOLD-ON'coil.

Function of NVR:

The normal function of the hold-on coil is to hold on the starting arm in the final running position when the motor is under normal operation.

Whenever the supply fails or disconnected or if the supply voltage becomes low, the handle should return to its OFF position to prevent direct connection of armature when the supply restores again.

If the field current becomes zero due to opening of field circuit or if the field current becomes very low, the motor will run at dangerously high speed because, $N ∝ \frac {1}{ⲫ}$

Whenever the field circuit becomes open, the starting arm immediately springs back to the OFF position. The motor gets disconnected from supply and its operation of motor at dangerously high speed is prevented

Function of OLR:

If the motor becomes overloaded beyond a certain pre-determined value, the electromagnet of overload release gets more magnetized. It attracts the plunger P and the NVR coil gets short circuited.

Due to demagnetization of NVR coil, the starter arm returns to its OFF position and the motor is protected against overload.

If the motor is to be stopped, open only the main switch. If starter arm remains in the final position, full voltage will be applied across the armature when the supply is switched 'ON' again.

The current in holding coil will reduce to zero and results in demagnetization of NVR coil. The starter arm returns to its OFF position and the motor is disconnected from supply.

To run the motor at high speed, the field current must be reduced to a low value by inserting high resistance in the series field winding.

A very low field current will make the holding magnet too weak to overcome the force exerted by the spiral spring. Then the holding magnet may release the starter arm and the motor will stop.

This difficulty can be overcome by using a four point starter.