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3 Point Starter

The three point starter is used to limit the high starting current in DC motors by gradually cutting off the starting resistance in series with the armature as the motor gathers speed. It works by connecting points on a variable resistance to studs on the starter handle, which connects the field winding through a no voltage coil and limits the armature current by adding resistance. As the handle is moved, more resistance is cut out until the motor runs at normal speed with all resistance eliminated in the run position. The no voltage coil holds the handle in run unless power fails. However, three point starters have a drawback for motors with variable speed as the weak field could cause the handle to release during operation.

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Akash A
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369 views

3 Point Starter

The three point starter is used to limit the high starting current in DC motors by gradually cutting off the starting resistance in series with the armature as the motor gathers speed. It works by connecting points on a variable resistance to studs on the starter handle, which connects the field winding through a no voltage coil and limits the armature current by adding resistance. As the handle is moved, more resistance is cut out until the motor runs at normal speed with all resistance eliminated in the run position. The no voltage coil holds the handle in run unless power fails. However, three point starters have a drawback for motors with variable speed as the weak field could cause the handle to release during operation.

Uploaded by

Akash A
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Three Point Starter: Diagram and Working Principle

DC motors require the starter due to the presence of back emf (E b). The back emf at the starting of the
motor is zero, but it develops gradually as the motor gathers speed.

The general motor emf equation is: V = Eb+ IaRa


Where V=Supply Voltage; Eb=Back EMF; Ia=Armature Current; and Ra=Armature Resistance. Since at
starting Eb = 0, then E = Ia.Ra. Hence we can rearrange for the armature current Ia:

V
I a=
Ra
We can see from the above equation that the current will be dangerously high at starting (as the armature
resistance Ra is small). The 3 point starter is used to limit the starting current.

Construction of 3 Point Starter


Construction wise a starter is a variable resistance divided in sections as shown in the figure. The contact
points of these sections are called studs and are shown separately as OFF, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, RUN. Other than that
there are three main points, referred to as
1. ‘L’ Line terminal (Connected to positive of supply)
2. ‘A’ Armature terminal (Connected to the armature winding)
3. ‘F’ Field terminal (Connected to the field winding)
The point ‘L’ is connected to an electromagnet called overload release (OLR) as shown in the figure. The
other end of OLR is connected to the lower end of conducting lever of starter handle. This handle is free to
move to the other side RUN.
Stud ‘1’ is connected to electromagnet called No Volt Coil (NVC) which is further connected to terminal ‘F.’
The starting resistance at starting is entirely in series with the armature. The OLR and NVC act as the two
protecting devices of the starter.

Working of Three Point Starter


To start with the handle is in the OFF position when the supply to the DC motor is switched on. Then handle
is slowly moved against the spring force to make contact with stud No. 1. At this point, field winding of the
shunt or the compound motor gets supply through the parallel path provided to starting the resistance,
through No Voltage Coil. While entire starting resistance comes in series with the armature. The high
starting armature current thus gets limited as the current equation at this stage becomes:

As the handle is moved further, it goes on making contact with studs 2, 3, 4, etc., thus gradually cutting off
the series resistance from the armature circuit as the motor gathers speed. Finally, when the starter handle is
in ‘RUN’ position, the entire starting resistance is eliminated, and the motor runs with normal speed.
This is because back emf is developed consequently with speed to counter the supply voltage and reduce the
armature current.
Working of No Voltage Coil of 3 Point Starter
When the field curret is present this coil will hild the starter handle to Run positionhence also called hold on
coil.
Now when there is any kind of supply failure, the current flow through NVC is zero and handle comes back
to OFF position.

Drawbacks of a Three Point Starter


The 3 point starter suffers from a serious drawback for motors with a large variation of speed by
adjustment of the field rheostat. To increase the speed of the motor field resistance can be increased.
Therefore current through the shunt field is reduced.
Field current becomes very low which results in holding electromagnet too weak to overcome the force
exerted by the spring. The holding magnet may release the arm of the starter during the normal operation of
the motor and thus disconnect the motor from the line. This is not desirable. A 4 point starter is thus used
instead, which does not have this drawback.

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