As automation engineers, we write logic programs for PLC and DCS systems that monitor process variables, open and close valves, set control loop modes, and start and stop motors for pumps, compressors, and conveyor systems. Most digital outputs on control systems operate on 24 volt DC or 120 volt AC. So how do I start and stop three-phase, 480 volt AC industrial motors? The simple answer is by using a motor controller. Many types of motor controllers are available, and the various types and styles all have specific uses in industrial control. All motor controllers are designed to keep the motor from being energized until the controller is told to activate. Once activated, current can pass to the motor, which energizes the motor windings and starts motor rotation. Activation of the motor controller is typically accomplished with an electromechanical device built into the controller, also known as a contactor. Other methods can also be used. Motor controllers are also referred to as motor starters. These devices are most often offered in a single unit with circuit disconnecting means, a contactor or other type of motor actuator, circuit overload protection and motor overload protection. Motor Controllers can be grouped by starting method and by starter type. Motor controllers can be classified by starting method. The first starting type is the Full Voltage, Non-Reversing motor controller. As the name implies, when the controller’s single contactor actuates, this motor controller type, also known as FVNR, allows the full line voltage to pass to the motor. With an FVNR motor controller, the position of the line phases is fixed, and the motor can only be operated in one rotational direction. An FVNR can be thought of as an “across the line” controller. In a Full Voltage Reversing motor controller, the controller has two separate actuating states: one to operate the motor in the forward direction, and one state to allow the motor to operate in the reverse direction. This is accomplished by adding a second contactor. The forward contactor acts the same as in the FVNR, and the reverse contactor swaps the position of two of the phases. This reversal of two phases causes the magnetic field in the motor windings to be reversed, causing the motor to spin in the opposite direction. Special physical safeguards are in place to prevent the actuation of both contactors at the same time, which would be very damaging. The third type of motor starting method is called reduced voltage starting. Large motors can have a very high starting current that may be harmful to the motor or the motor controller itself. To limit the amount of starting current to these motors, this type of motor controller applies a reduced voltage to the motor when it first starts. There are several ways to accomplish this, such as auto-transformer, star-delta, and soft starter. These will be described later. The last type of motor starting method is multi-speed. Multi-speed motor controllers use solid state or transforming means to allow motors to be controlled at different speeds. Two of these methods, Variable Speed Drive and 2-speed control will be described later. Now that I have described the four major categories of motor controller by starting method, I will now describe the six major motor starter types. The first is manual motor actuation, which requires an operator to switch the motor on and off. Due to safety considerations, manual motor starting is limited to motor of 10 horsepower or less, but they can be used on single or with three-phase applications. Magnetic motor starters, or direct online starters, are the most common single-speed starter type. For magnetic starters, a PLC digital output, a pushbutton, or a selector switch is used to pull-in a coil which magnetically holds the starter contacts closed, allowing current to pass to the motor. Magnetic motor starters are used with FVNR and full voltage reversible motor controllers. Auto-transformer motor starters are commonly used in reduced voltage starting applications, especially with large motors. When the motor starts, two contactors pull in. One of these contactors energizes a transformer circuit and the other forces the transformer into a star configuration. The tapped output from the transformer is connected to the motor leads at the start. Once the motor reaches 85 to 90 percent of full voltage, the star contactor opens, and the transformer then acts as a choke to limit the voltage and the current to the motor. The main contactor then closes, and the motor controller acts as an FVNR with full voltage to the motor. Star-delta reduced voltage motor starting is related to auto-transformer starting in that three separate contactors are used in the motor control scheme. In star-delta, the motor is started in the “star” configuration, which starts the motor at about one-third of the rated full motor current. After the motor spins up to near full speed, the motor is switched to the “delta” configuration for continuous running. Make sure to check out our previous video series on this topic. We’ll add the link to the playlist in the description below this video. Soft-starters are another method used for limiting starting current. Soft starters use solid state electronics to limit the startup voltage and current. With a soft starter, the voltage is gradually increased during motor startup. This allows the motor to slowly accelerate & gain speed in a controlled fashion. A variable frequency drive, or VFD, is similar to a soft-starter, but allows the speed of the motor to be varied by varying the frequency of the output to the motor. Because the voltage is also regulated in the process, the startup current is also reduced with the use of a VFD. This video has provided a brief overview of four types of motor controller starting techniques and six types of motor starting devices. Whether a full voltage across the line motor controller is required or a motor controller to provide a reduced voltage at startup, there is a motor controller that allows safe, efficient, and controlled starting for every application type. Want to learn PLC programming in an easy to understand format and take your career to the next level? Head on over to realpars.com