How do star delta starters work?

A DOL starter connects the motor terminals directly to the power supply. Hence, the motor is subjected to the full voltage of the power supply. Consequently, high starting current flows through the motor. This type of starting is suitable for small motors below 5 hp (3.75 kW).

In star delta starter then motor is started initially from star and later during running from delta. This is a starting method that reduces the starting current and starting torque. The Motor must be delta connected during a normal run, in order to be able to use this starting method.

The Star/Delta starter is manufactured from three contactors, a timer and a thermal overload. The contactors are smaller than the single contactor used in a Direct on Line starter as they are controlling winding currents only. The currents through the winding are 1√3 = 0.58 (58%) of the current in the line. this connection amounts to approximately 30% of the delta values. The starting current is reduced to one third of the direct starting current.

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How it works?

There are two contactors that are close during run, often referred to as the main contactor and the delta contactor. These are AC3 rated at 58% of the current rating of the motor. The third contactor is the star contactor and that only carries star current while the motor is connected in star. The current in star is one third of the current in delta, so this contactor can be AC3 rated at one third of the motor rating.

In operation, the Main Contactor and the Star Contactor are closed initially, and then after a period of time, the star contactor is opened, and then the delta contactor  is closed. The control of the contactors is by the timer  built into the starter. The Star and Delta are electrically interlocked and preferably mechanically interlocked as well. In effect, there are four states:

1 OFF State. All Contactors are open
2 Star State. The Main and the Star contactors are closed and the delta contactor is open. The motor is connected in star and will produce one third of DOL torque at one third of DOL current.
3 Open State. The Main contactor is closed and the Delta and Star contactors are open. There is voltage on one end of the motor windings, but the other end is open so no current can flow. The motor has a spinning rotor and behaves like a generator.
4 Delta State. The Main and the Delta contactors are closed. The Star contactor is open. The motor is connected to full line voltage and full power and torque are available.
This type of operation is called open transition switching because there is an open state between the star state and the delta state.

This type of operation is called open transition switching because there is an open state between the star state and the delta state.