Motor Control devices

Three phase induction motors are the workhorse of industry. It has been estimated that 70% to 80% of all electricity in the world is consumed by these motors. They are truly elegant machines in that there are no moving parts except the rotor, and there are no brushes, commutators, or slip rings to wear out

Motor Control

In industry we need to protect equipment and cabling from short circuit current and overcurrent. For a 3 phase motor, a 3 phase MCB is used. The motor could be directly connected to the mcb but the user would have no control over when the motor is energised.

Motor Control

To control when the motor is turned ON a 3 phase contactor is used. A contactor is a device containing switches that can handle large currents. The motor contactor becomes active when current passes through the electromagnet on the contactor. This causes an electromagnetic field to be produced, which draws the moving and fixed contacts together.

Motor Control (Power circuit)

To protect the motor overload protection is installed in the main power line of motor to protect from damage due to mechanical malfunction overload conditions when it is running. The effect of an overload is an excessive rise in temperature in the motor windings due to current higher than load current.

Motor Control (Control circuit)

A motor control circuit is used to turn ON the motor. A start push button is pressed and the contactor is energised. The contacts of the contactor close and power is delivered to the motor. When the push button is released the motor will stop. How would the motor be kept ON?

Motor Control (Control circuit)

When the push button is released the motor will stop. How would the motor be kept ON? A normally open contact(NO) of the contactor is used. When the Start button is pressed the contactor energises. The NO contact closes and holds ON the contactor. Question: The motor is now running but how is it turned OFF?

Motor Control (Control circuit)

To turn OFF the contactor and thus the motor, a normally closed stop push button switch is inserted in series with the control circuit. When the stop button is pressed the contactor is deenergised and the motor turns OFF.