DOL Starter (Direct On Line Starter)



DOL Starter (Direct On Line Starter) Diagram & Working Principle


What is DOL Starter?

A DOL starter (or Direct On Line starter or across the line starter) is a method of starting of a 3 phase induction motor. In DOL Starter an induction motor is connected directly across its 3-phase supply, and the DOL starter applies the full line voltage to the motor terminals. Despite this direct connection, no harm is done to the motor. A DOL motor starter contains protection devices, and in some cases, condition monitoring. A wiring diagram of a DOL starter is shown below:

Since the DOL starter connects the motor directly to the main supply line, the motor draws a very high inrush current compared to the full load current of the motor (up to 5-8 times higher). The value of this large current decreases as the motor reaches its rated speed.


A direct  online starter can only be used if the high inrush current of the motor does not cause an excessive voltage drop in the supply circuit. If a high voltage drop needs to be avoided, a star delta starter should be used instead. Direct on line starters are commonly used to start small motors, especially 3 phase squirrel cage induction motors.

As we know, the equation for armature current in the motor.The value of back emf (E) depends upon speed (N), i.e. E is directly proportional to N.

At starting, the value of E is zero. So starting current is very high. In a small rating motor, the rotor has more considerable axial length and small diameter. So it gets accelerated fastly. Hence, speed increases and thus the value of armature current decreases rapidly. Therefore, small rating motors smoothly run when it is connected directly to a 3-phase supply. If we connect a large motor directly across 3-phase line, it would not run smoothly and will be damaged, because it does not get accelerated as fast as a smaller motor since it has short axial length and larger diameter more massive rotor. However, for large rated motors, we can use an oil immersed DOL starter.

DOL Starter Wiring Diagram

The wiring diagram for a DOL stater is shown below. A direct online starter consits of two buttons, a GREEN button for starting and a RED for stopping purpose of the motor. The DOL starter comprises of an MCCB or circuit breaker, contactor and an overload relay for protection. These two buttons, i.e. Green and Red or start and stop buttons control the contacts.

To start the motor, we close the contact by pushing Green Button, and the full line voltage appears to the motor. A contactor can be of 3 poles or 4-poles. Below given contactor is of 4-pole type. It contains three NO (normally open) contacts that connect the motor to supply lines, and the fourth contact is “hold on contact” (auxiliary contact) which energizes the contactor coil after the start button is released. If any fault occurs, the auxiliary coil gets de-energized, and hence the starter disconnects the motor from supply mains.

3 Phase Motor Starter with Overload Protection

When a motor draws excessive current to meet the load requirements such that this load requirement goes beyond the rated limit, this is known as overload. Thermal overload protection is a type of security when the motor draws over current or excessive current and causes overheating of the equipment. Overload is also the type of over current. So overload relays are employed to limit the amount of current drawn.

But that does not mean that protects the short circuit. Fuse or MCB used in the system protects the over current. Overload protection opens a circuit at relatively low currents that are a little higher than the rating of the motor.Overload currents are likely to damage if they persist for a long time, i.e. it will not trip if a high value of current flows for a short period such as starting of the motor.We often provide overload protection via an overload relay. Overload relays may be solid-state devices with adjustable trip setting also called as the electronic relay or by interacting with related temperature sensors called as a thermal relay or if only operates for excess current flow then called as a magnetic relay. For most motors, the maximum rating of the overload protection device is 125% of the full load ampere rating.

DOL Starter Working Principle

The working principle of a DOL starter begins with the connection to the 3-phase main with the motor. The control circuit is connected to any two phases and energized from them only. When we press the start button, the current flows through contactor coil (magnetizing coil) and control circuit also. The current energises the contactor coil and leads to close the contacts, and hence 3-phase supply becomes available to the motor. The control circuit for a DOL Starter is shown below.

If we press the stop button, the current through the contact becomes discontinued, hence supply to the motor will not be available, and the similar thing will happen when the overload relay operates. Since the supply of motor breaks, the machine will come to rest. The contactor coil (Magnetizing Coil) gets supply even though we release start button because when we release start button, it will get supply from the primary contacts as illustrated in the diagram of the Direct Online Starter.

Advantages of DOL Starter

The advantages of a DOL starter include:

  1. Simple and most economical starter.
  2. More comfortable to design, operate and control.
  3. Provides nearly full starting torque at starting.
  4. Easy to understand and troubleshoot.
  5. DOL starter connects the supply to the delta winding of the motor.

Disadvantages of DOL Starter

The disadvantages of a DOL starter include:

  1. High starting current (5-8 times of full load current).
  2. DOL Starter causes a significant dip in voltage, hence suitable only for small motors.
  3. DOL Starter reduces the lifespan of the machine.
  4. Mechanically tough.
  5. Unnecessary high starting torque

DOL Starter Applications

The applications of DOL starters are primarily motors where a high inrush current does not cause excessive voltage drop in the supply circuit (or where this high voltage drop is acceptable).

Direct on line starters are commonly used to start small water pumps, conveyor belts, fans, and compressors. In the case of an asynchronous motor (such as the 3-phase squirrel-cage motor) the motor will draw a high starting current until it has run up to full speed.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Working principle of Generator- completely explained

Image
How Does a Generator Create Electricity? How Generators Work Generators are usefull appliances that supply electrical power during a power outage and prevent discontinuity of daily activities or disruption of business operations. Generators are available in different electrical and physical configurations for use in different applications. In the following sections, we will look at how a generator functions, the main components of a generator, and how a generator operates as a secondary source of electrical power in residential and industrial applications. How does a generator work? An electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy obtained from an external source into electrical energy as the output. It is important to understand that a generator does not actually ‘create’ electrical energy. Instead, it uses the mechanical energy supplied to it to force the movement of electric charges present in the wire of its windings through an external electric circuit. This flow
Read more

Surge arrester- Defination,working and types

Image
SURGE ARRESTER On the flow of current in a power line increases at some point, then electrical surges will occur. The most popular surge can be occurred due to lightning because sometimes lightning can cause an electrical surge. Throughout a lightning storm, lightning may hit somewhere close to a power source and affect the voltage supply during a  power  line. Sometimes, an electrical device can be protected from the lightning surge effects by detaching it from the source of power. A surge arrester cannot work perfectly due to very high voltage which is generated from lighting. What is Surge Arrester? Definition :  A protective device that is used to protect the electrical  power system  from surges caused by lightning is known as surge arrester. It includes two terminals like high voltage and ground. Once an electric surge travels through the surge arrester from the power system, then a huge voltage current can travel to the insulation directly otherwise to the ground terminal to pro
Read more

Automatic Transfer system (ATS)

Image
Automatic Transfer System Explained in details. Using the basic building blocks of utility power, system topology, on-site generation, and uninterruptible power supplies, the basic role of the automatic transfer system may now be defined. Operational Requirments of Automatic Transfer System In this role, the Automatic Transfer System must display the following characteristics: Robustness  – it must operate as intended, even under abnormal power system conditions, without human intervention. Just as importantly, it must be able to distinguish when a system condition does not warrant transfer to the alternate power source. It must be able to control the switchgear   as required and, additionally, must be able to pass the proper signals to the alternate power source if necessary (for example, to signal a generator when to start. Simply stated, the role of the automatic transfer system is  to provide  the automatic transfer of power  for its associated load group from a normal power source
Read more