College of Engineering

Electrical Engineering Department

ACM 03-DC and AC Machinery

Chapter 8: Starting Methods of

DC Motors

Dometita, Angelika C.
Echon, Divine Grace M.
Edrada, Judy Ann N.
Mallari, Aldrin
Manuel, Eula Amor E.

BSME 3A
First Semester AY 2023-2024
 Chapter 8: Starting Methods of DC Motors

A. Description

An electric motor is an electrical machine which converts

electrical energy into mechanical energy. Theoretically, the same DC

machine can be used as a motor or generator. Therefore, the

construction of a DC motor is the same as that of a DC generator.

The basic working principle of a DC motor is: "whenever a

current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences

a mechanical force". On the other hand, the main task of a motor

starter is to start as well as stop the motor to which it is allied.

Starters are particularly designed electromechanical switches

like relays that are used to provide an overload protection for the

motor. The starter gives the supply to the motor manually or

automatically as well as protects the motor from the faults or overload.

Based on the type of motor, the motor starters are available in different

sizes with different ratings in the market.

B. Starting Methods of a DC Motor

Basic operational voltage equation of a DC motor is given as:

E = Eb + IaRa and hence, Ia = (E - Eb) / Ra

 Now, when the motor is at rest, obviously, the back emf E b = 0.

Hence, armature current at the moment of starting can be given as I a =

E / Ra. In practical DC machines, armature resistance is basically very

low, generally about 0.5 Ω. Therefore, a large current flows through the

armature during starting. This large current has the following effect:

(i). It will blow out the fuses and prior to that it may damage the

insulation of armature winding due to excessive heating effect if

starting period is more.

(ii). Excessive voltage drop will occur in the lines to which the

motor is connected. Thus, the operation of the appliances connected to

the same line may be impaired and in some cases they may refuse to

work.

To avoid the dangers while starting a DC motor, it is necessary

to limit the starting current. So, a DC motor is started by using a

starting resistance or starter. This can be calculated using equation:

E
I a=
Ra + R

Where:

R = starting resistance

E = terminal voltage

I a = desired armature starting current

Ra = armature resistance
 The maximum amount of resistance will always be inserted

when the motor is first started. As the speed of the motor increases,

counter EMF will begin to increase, decreasing armature current.

E−E b 1
I a=
Ra + R

After that, the starting resistance is gradually reduced.

Ultimately, all of the resistance is taken out of circuit when the motor

attains normal speed.

C. DC Motor Starters

There are various types of DC motor starters:

a. 2-point starter

b. 3-point starter

c. 4-point starter

The basic concept behind every DC motor starter is adding

external resistance to the armature winding during the starting. From

the following, 3-point starters and 4-point starters are used for starting

shunt wound motors and compound wound motors.

D. Operating Principle of DC Motor Starters

a. 2 Point Starter

A two-point starter is used for starting a DC motor which has the

problem of over-speeding due to loss of load from its shaft. They are

manually operated face plate type starters used for starting DC series

motors.

Figure 1. Two-point starter for a DC series motor

A two-point starter consists of a starting resistance R subdivided

between the number of contact studs (1 to 5). The starting handle H is

pivoted on one side and its other side is free to move against a strong

spring S and make contact with each stud during the starting operation.

The starter is provided with a protective device called no-load

release. This no-load release consists of an electromagnet M and a

hinged soft iron piece P carried by the starting handle. The coil of this
 electromagnet has a few turns wound on a U-shaped iron core and it is

connected in series with the motor as shown in Fig. 1.

To initiate motor operation, the direct current (DC) supply is first

activated. The starting handle is then slowly moved in the clockwise

direction from its OFF position against the spring tension.

When the handle makes contact with the first stud, the motor

gets connected across the line through the entire starting resistor and

the coil of no-load release. As the handle is moved further, the starting

resistor is gradually cut off from the motor circuit.

In the running position, the starting resistor is completely cut off

and the motor achieves its full speed. Handle is held in this position

against the spring tension by the electromagnet M of the no-load

release.

b. 3 Point Starter

A three-point starter is an electrical device, used for starting as

well as maintaining the DC shunt motor speed. The connection of

resistance in this circuit is in series which decreases the initial high

current and guards the equipment against any electrical failures.

Here, the occurrence of back e.m.f plays an essential role in

operating the motor. This emf extends when the armature of the motor
starts rotating in the magnetic field by making the action as well as

opposes the voltage supply.

Figure 2. Internal wiring of a 3 point DC motor starter

Mainly there are three main points or terminals in the 3 point starter of

the DC motor. They are as follows:

● L is known as the Line terminal, which is connected to the

positive supply.

● A is known as the armature terminal and is connected to the

armature windings.

● F is known as the field terminal and is connected to the field

terminal windings.

It consists of a graded resistance R to limit the starting current.

The handle H is kept in the OFF position by a spring S. The handle H is

manually moved, for starting the motor and when it makes contact with

resistance stud one, the motor is said to be in the START position. In

this initial start position, the field winding of the motor receives the full

supply voltage, and the armature current is limited to a certain safe

value by the resistance (R = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4).

When the connected dc motor is to be started, the lever is

turned gradually to the right. When the lever touches point 1, the field

winding gets directly connected across the supply, and the armature

winding gets connected with resistances R1 to R5 in series.

During starting, full resistance is added in series with the

armature winding. Then, as the lever is moved further, the resistance is

gradually cut out from the armature circuit. Now, as the lever reaches

to position 6, all the resistance is cut out from the armature circuit and

the armature gets directly connected across the supply. The

electromagnet 'E' (no voltage coil) holds the lever at this position. This

electromagnet releases the lever when there is no (or low) supply

voltage.

Drawbacks of 3 point starter

1. The main drawback of the 3 point starter is, it experiences a

major drawback of motors by a huge difference of speed with a

modification of the field rheostat.

 2. To amplify the motor speed, the field resistance must be

amplified. So the flow of current throughout the shunt field is

decreased.

3. Whenever adding high resistance to get a high speed will make

the field current very low.

4. When NVC (no volt trip coil) is associated in series by shunt

field, then the minute current will decrease the power of the

electromagnet.

5. This magnet may liberate the arm of the H-handle through the

usual motor operation as well as detach it from the power

supply.

6. Therefore, the 4 Point Starter can be used, where no volt trip

coil is allied in the parallel field.

c. 4 point starter

The main difference between the 3 point starter and 4 point

starter is that in 4 point starter the field coil is not connected in series

with the no voltage coil that means the holding coil is removed from the

shunt field circuit and is connected directly across the line with a

current limiting resistance R in series.

Four point starters are identical to three-point devices, but they

add an additional terminal (N) that links the supply to the no voltage

coil.

● ‘L’ line terminal connected to the positive supply.

 ● ‘A’ armature terminal connected to the armature windings.

● Field winding connected to NVC (‘F’ terminal).

● Resistance(R) connected to NVC (‘N’ terminal).

Figure 3. Internal wiring of a 4 point DC motor starter

The arrangement above forms three parallel circuits. They are as

follows:

● Armature, starting the resistance and the shunt field winding.

● Variable resistance and the shunt field winding.

● Holding coil and the current limiting resistance.

Initially, the DC supply is switched on with a handle in the OFF

position. The handle is now moved to the first stud. When it comes in

contact with the first stud, the whole starting resistance is inserted in
series with the armature winding and the shunt field winding is directly

connected across the DC supply

As the handle is gradually moved over to the final stud, the

starting resistance is cut out from the armature circuit in steps. After

reaching to the final stud, the handle is held magnetically by the NVC

which is directly energized by the DC supply.

If the supply voltage is interrupted, the NVC is de-energized and

the handle goes back to the OFF position under the pull of the control

spring. If the NVC were not used, then in case of failure of supply, the

handle would remain in contact with the final stud. When the supply is

restored, the motor will be directly connected across the full supply

voltage, resulting in an excessive armature current and may damage

the motor.

If the motor is overloaded or if a short circuit occurs, it will draw

a large current from the supply. This excessive current will increase the

MMF of the OLC and pull the plunger P, which short-circuits the NVC.

Hence, the NVC is de-energized and the handle is pulled to the OFF

position by the control spring. Therefore, the motor is automatically

disconnected from the supply.

Drawback of 4 point starter

The only drawback or limitation of the four-point starter is that it

cannot control the speed of the high current in the motor. When the

motor winding is opened under the working condition then the field
current usually decreases to zero. Although a few of the remaining flux

is still there in the DC motor, as well as we know that this flux is

correlative to the motor’s speed. Thus, the motor’s speed enhances

thoroughly, which is unsafe and therefore safety is not feasible. This

unexpected rise in the motor’s speed is known as the “high-speed act

of the motor”.

Calculation of Step Resistances Used in Shunt Motor Starter

For starting a motor from stand still to its rated speed, it is

normally desirable to increase the speed gradually to maintain the

angular acceleration constant during the starting period. The angular

acceleration is proportional to the net torque, which is in turn nearly

proportional to the product of flux (Φ) and armature current I a i.e.,T ∝

Φ I a. The flux Φ will remain constant provided line voltage remains

constant. Hence it follows that substantially constant angular

acceleration calls for constant armature current during the starting

period.

Eb E−I a R
We know, Speed, N ∝ ∝
Φ Φ

Where R = resistance of armature plus the resistance of starter.

Since I a and Φ are to be kept constant, therefore, for increasing

the speed (N) gradually, R should be varied (reduced) in such a way

that the above relation must be satisfied. For different values of

armature current, the value of R is given by the expression,

 E−KN
R= , where K is a constant.
Ia

Just at the time of starting when the starting arm is brought in

contact with stud-1, the motor is stationary and there is no back emf,

the maximum value of current drawn by the motor (eq 8.7). The motor

starts rotating and picks up speed N 1 which develops a back emf Eb 1

(where Eb 1 ∝ N 1) and the current drops to I 2 (the starting arm is still at

stud-1) (eq 8.8).

Now the starting arm is shifted to stud-2, the speed of the motor

is still N 1 and the back emf is also Eb 1 but the circuit resistance is

reduced to R2 due to this the current again attains its maximum value I 1

, i.e., (eq 8.9). The motor picks-up speed further and its value reaches

to N 2 which develops a back emf Eb 2 ( Eb 2 v N 2) and the current drops to

I 2(the starting arm is still at stud-2) (eq 8.10).

Further, starting arm is shifted to stud-3, the speed is still N 2 and

back emf is Eb 2 but the circuit resistance is reduced to R3, thus the

current again attains its maximum value I 1 , i.e., (eq 8.11).

E E−E b 1
I 1= Eq. 8.7 I 2= Eq. 8.8
R1 R1

E−E b1 E−E b 2
I 1= Eq. 8.9 I 2= Eq. 8.10
R2 R2
 E−E b 2
I 1= Eq. 8.11
R3

Dividing eqn. (5.13) by (5.12) and eqn. (5.15) by (5.14), we get

I 1 R1 R2
= = =K
I 2 R 2 R3

R 1 R2 R1 2
× = K 2; =K
R 2 R3 R3

Similarly, the starting arm is shifted to next studs in sequence and

ultimately reaches to stud number (n + 1), then we get

R 1 R2 R n−1 Rn
= =...= = = K, and
R 2 R3 Rn Ra

R 1 R2 Rn−1 R n n
× ×... × × =K
R 2 R3 Rn Ra

1
R1 n R1 n
= K ; K=( )
Ra Ra

Example 1: Shunt Motor Starter

A 152 V DC shunt motor has an armature resistance of 0.3Ω, a brush

voltage drop of 2 V, the rated full load current is 70 A. Calculate (i) the

current at the instant of starting as a percentage of full load current (ii)

the value of starting resistance to limit the motor current at the instant

of starting to 150 percent of the rated load current.

Solution:

Here, E = 152 V; Ra = 0.3Ω; I fl= 70 A

(i). Starting current with no-additional resistance in the armature circuit,

E−Eb 152V −2V

I s= = = 500 A
Ra 0.3 Ω

Is 500 A
I s as a % age of full-load; × 100= =714.2857143
I fl 70 A

(ii). Additional resistance required for starting

Let the total resistance required in the armature circuit to limit the

starting current to 150 per cent of the rated load current be R1, then

E−Eb 152V −2V

R 1= = =1.428571429
1 70 A ×1.5 Ω
I fl ×(150 % × )
100 %

R = R1 - Ra = 1.428571429Ω - 0.3Ω = 1.128571429Ω

Example 2: Series Motor Starter

A 240 V series motor takes 40 A when giving its rated output at 1500

rpm. Its armature and series field resistance is 0.18 Ω and 0.12 Ω

respectively. Find the external resistance which must be added to

obtain rated torque (i) at starting and (ii) at 1000 rpm.

Solution:

(i). At starting:

Since torque remains the same in both the cases, the current drawn by

the motor remains constant at 40 A, because T ∝ Φ I .

E−E b
We know, current drawn by the motor, I =
R a + Rse + R

where R is external resistance connected in series with motor at start

240 V −0
∴ 40 A=
0.18 Ω+0.12 Ω+ R

R=5.7 Ω (ans)

(ii). At 1000 rpm:

Back emf, Eb 1= E−I ¿) = 240V - 40A(0.18 Ω+0.12 Ω) Eb 1 = 228V

N2 1000
Eb 2 = Eb 1 × = 228V × =152V
N1 1500

E−E b
∴ I=
R a + Rse + R

240 V −152 V
40 A=
0.18 Ω+0.12 Ω+ R

R=1.9Ω (ans)
References:

electricaleasy.com: Starting methods of a DC motor. (n.d.).

https://www.electricaleasy.com/2014/01/starting-methods-of-dc-motor.html?m=1

3 point starter

Agarwal, T. (2018, November 9). Three point starter - construction, working principle &

drawbacks. ElProCus - Electronic Projects for Engineering Students.

https://www.elprocus.com/what-is-a-3-point-starter-construction-and-working-

principle/

Introduction for DC motor:

electricaleasy.com: How a DC motor works? (n.d.).

https://www.electricaleasy.com/2014/01/basic-working-of-dc-motor.html

Starting of DC motors:
DC motor starting Methods. (2023, June 2). Electrical A2Z. https://electricala2z.com/dc-

machines/dc-motor-starting-methods/

https://sites.ntc.doe.gov/partners/tr/Training%20Textbooks/11-Electrical

%20Science/06-DC%20Motors.pdf

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Bhakti. (2020, November 16). 3 point starter. Circuit Globe. https://circuitglobe.com/3-point-

starter.html#:~:text=3%20Point%20Starter%20is%20a,protects%20the%20machines

%20from%20damage.

4 point starter:

Bhakti. (2020b, November 16). 4 point starter. Circuit Globe. https://circuitglobe.com/4-

point-starter.html#:~:text=What%20is%20a%204%20Point%20Starter%3F%20-

%20its,Point%20Starter%20also%20acts%20as%20a%20protecting%20device.

Working principle of Four-Point starter. (n.d.). https://www.tutorialspoint.com/working-

principle-of-four-point-starter#:~:text=It%20consists%20of%20a%20graded

%20starting%20resistance%20to,4%20terminals%20viz.%20L%2C%20N%2C%20F

%20and%20A

ElectricalMachinesbyS.K.Sahdev-1.pdf. (n.d.). Google Docs.

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UI70yNmBrCGQq4rdw