Asian Research Consortium

Asian Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities

Vol. 6, No. 7, July 2016, pp. 797-806.

Asian Journal
of Research in
Social Sciences
and
Humanities

ISSN 2249-7315
A Journal Indexed in Indian Citation Index

www.aijsh.com

DOI NUMBER: 10.5958/2249-7315.2016.00464.0

Category:Science and Technology

Efficiency Improvement with Solid State Starter for

Three Phase Induction Motor Applications
S. Durairaj*, Dr. Y. Robinson**
*Assistant Professor,
Tamilnadu College of Engineering,
Karumathampatti, Coimbatore, India.
**Director,
RVS Technical Campus,
Coimbatore, India.

Abstract
Three phase induction motor is a versatile machine for energy conversion. All three phase machine
will operate with a starter. The Starter is a mechanical or electromechanical device. Starters are
facilitating for easy on and off the motor, protect from excess load current, and safe from low or
high supply voltage. Some of the starters have mechanism of reduce the starting input current to the
motor. These are activated through mechanical or electromechanical components. The solid state
starter eliminates the mechanical components action and working as static device. The a) moveable
touch contactor, b) Thermal or magnetic overload relay, which through the load current flow, c) No
volt coil, which is to be energized for plunger contactor are major components of the starter. The
above components are consuming the power during the whole operational time of the motor. The
solid state starter is minimizing the above power loss at great extent. The solid state starter
activation speed also very high since the capture the voltage value, current value, temperature value
and to and fro of control signals for operating the motor is based digital system. The applied
voltage, load current, temperature of the motor are captured by sensors and fed to the PIC
controller, and the star to delta conversion and power feed to the motor by activating GTO also
implement by same PIC controller. This method of starting the motor has many advantageous such
as reduce more loss and increase the efficiency, more reliability, effective sensitivity, compact size
of the starter. The method of starting is executing with MATLAB simulation and physically
verified as well confirmed.

Keywords: Gate Turn Off thyrister, Peripheral Interface Controller, Current sensor, Electric
Motor Drive System, OEM.

1. Introduction
The motor is a versatile machine in the industry or household and everywhere. The motor has many
different technologies and design types, but alternating current (AC) asynchronous induction
motors are mostly used and consume the most of the electrical energy. These motors are either
made by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with integrated into prepackaged
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Vol. 6, No.7, pp. 797-806.

electro-mechanical products (such as pumps, fans, compressors, etc.) or made as stand alone
motors where the final customers then integrate into a specific application on site. Such stand
alone motors are produced in large volumes, according to standardized input power and size
specifications, with varying channels to market and integration into electromechanical systems.
These have a significant impact on the type of starters to adoption of energy-efficient solutions for
EMDS and, hence, on the most appropriate design for starters are very important. Therefore, 3phase induction motors employ a starting method because of the following reasons;
1) Reduce heavy starting currents and prevent motor from overheating.
2) Provide overload and no-voltage protection.
The Starter is a mechanical or electromechanical device. All starters facilitate for easy on
and off the motor, protect from excess load current, and low or high supply voltage. Some of the
starter has mechanism to reduce the starting input current to the motor. These are activated through
mechanical or electromechanical components. The solid state starter eliminates the mechanical
components and working as static device. The a) moveable touch contactor, b) Thermal or magnetic
overload relay which through the load current flow, c) No volt coil which is to be energized for
plunger contactor are major components of the starter. The above components are causes for the
power loss during the whole operational time of the motor. To reduce the power loss in the starter
simultaneously increase the efficiency of the motor is an optimum proposal of this paper. This
paper explains a solid state starter which eliminates all mechanical and electromechanical parts and
related activation.
The PIC micro controller is act as a brain of the whole system. The applied voltage level,
Load current level, Temperature of the motor and required power for the PIC function are the input
to the PIC. LED display, activating signal to the thyristors are the output from the PIC. The input
signals are captured from appropriate sensors and fed to the PIC. The instructions based on our
requirement operation of the motor are uploaded on the PIC. The PIC is executing the process with
default data programmed by user and the data received from sensor. The PIC initiates the output
signal to the appropriate operation. The out signal is fed the thyristors for controlling the electric
power. The required lower and upper voltage level for the motor, minimum and maximum current
intensity for the motor, upper limit of the temperature for the motor, observe time duration for the
consequent operation are the data fed as default to the PIC. The PIC has provisions to modify the
above data according to our usage motor specification. So this PIC can be used various capacity of
motors and different type of electric power system. The input data from various sensors are
compared with our default data on each fraction of seconds in the PIC. The input data are in the
digital form so the speed of transfer data from sensor is very high and the compare process also in
digital system, then the output signal also in the digital form. So the speed of operation is a flash.
This is very significant of the PIC starting system.
The output control is the form of triggering pulse for the thyristors. The pulse used to
trigger the thyristors for ON state, and pulse is used to trigger the thyristors to OFF state. The
output pulse is generated as per our default program concurrent with the input data from the
sensors.

2. Voltage Sensor
It is a combination of Voltage divider, comparator and ADC. The Voltage divider has resistance
arrangements which works with the principle Kirchhoff law and deliver the lower output
corresponding to the higher supply input voltage. This resistance has higher value, since current flow
is very minimum and less power loss in the voltage divider. The lower input voltage fed to
comparator for to initiate the corresponding ratio of voltage. This lower voltage converted as digital
signal with the help of ADC and the complete functional diagram shown in Figure 1.
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Vol. 6, No.7, pp. 797-806.

Figure1: Functional Block Diagram

3. Current Sensor
The Allegro ACS756 family of current sensor ICs provides economical and precise solutions for AC
or DC current sensing in industrial, automotive, commercial, and communications systems. The
device package allows for easy implementation by the customer. Typical applications include motor
control, load detection and management, power supplies, and over current fault protection. The
device consists of a precision, low-offset linear Hall circuit with a copper conduction path located
near the die. Applied current flowing through this copper conduction path generates a magnetic field
which the Hall IC converts into a proportional voltage. Device accuracy is optimized through the
close proximity of the magnetic signal to the Hall transducer. A precise, proportional voltage is
provided by the low-offset, chopper-stabilized BiCMOS Hall IC, which is programmed for accuracy
at the factory. The output of the device has a positive slope (>VCC / 2) when an increasing current
flows through the primary copper conduction path (from terminal 4 to terminal 5), which is the path
used for current sampling. The internal resistance of this conductive path is 100 typical, providing
low power loss. The thickness of the copper conductor allows survival of the device at up to 5 over
current conditions. The terminals of the conductive path are electrically isolated from the signal leads
(pins 1 through 3). This allows the ACS756 family of sensor ICs to be used in applications requiring
electrical isolation without the use of opto-isolators or other costly isolation techniques. The device is
fully calibrated prior to shipment from the factory. The ACS75x family is lead (Pb) free. All leads are
plated with 100% matte tin, and there is no Pb inside the package. The heavy gauge lead frame is
made of oxygen-free copper.

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4. Temperature Sensor
It is an auxiliary censor for protection. It is working as principle of Thermister. The dissimilar
materials are influence in Electro motive force which they are placed in hotspot. Temperature is
initiates an electro motive force in dissimilar materials. This phenomena is used here as working
principle to monitor the temperature of a motor. In general any electrical deviation in the operation of
a motor will lead to temperature variation in the motor. This temperature is monitored by this censor
and this data is used to control the motor operation. The following working conditions, the sensor data
is very useful for protect the motor. a. Excess current due to over load, b. Excess current due to under
voltage, c. Excess current due to insulation weakening of winding coil d. Mechanical friction in the
rotating parts, e. Temperature rise in the atmosphere (surrounding) of the motor. The above five
factors are lead to the increase in temperature in the motor. Temperatures monitor is an additional and
added influence of safety for the motor. The temperature sensor is mounted on a motor in appropriate
place and the connecting leads are connected to the relevant port on the PIC controller.

5. Gate Turn Off Thyristor

The thyristor has reigned supreme for well over two decades in the power electronics industry and
continues to do so at the very highest level of power. It, however, has always suffered from the
disadvantage of being a semi-controlled device. Although it could be turned on by applying a gate
pulse but to turn it off the main current had to be interrupted. This proved to be particularly
inconvenient in power circuits, where the main current does not naturally becomes zero. A bulky and
expensive commutation circuit had to be used to ensure proper turning off of the thyristor. The
switching speed of the device was also comparatively slow even with fast inverter grade thyristor. The
development of the Gate Turn off thyristor (GTO) has addressed these disadvantages of a thyristor to
a large extent. Although it has made a rather late entry into the thyristor family the technology has
matured quickly to produce device comparable in rating (5000V, 4000Amp) with the largest available
thyristor. Consequently it has replaced the forced commutated inverter grade thyristor in all circuits.
Based on the capacity of the motor, 3 or 6 thyristors are used in the motor starter circuit. For higher
capacity motor 6 Thyristors are used for operating as star delta mode. For lower capacity 3 thyristors
are used for Direct on Line method of starting. The PIC controller generates signal pulses for
thyristors operation. The ON or OFF pulses are generated by the initiation of PIC according to the
programme.

6. Micro Controller
It is heart of the system, three major and required inputs from sensors are fed to this controller. The
controller is pre-defined by programme with specific data of motor parameters. The sensor outputs
are fed to the controller. The Current censor, Voltage censor and temperature sensor are continuously
fed the virtual data to the controller. The under or over voltage, excess current, and excess
temperature are immediately verified among the predefined data with input data received from
sensor. The data transfer from the sensors is very fast. So the decision is arrived very short duration.
The waiting period is also predefined with the programme. So the activation is takes place is very
fast. In general, the existing type of the conventional method of sensing time for above voltage,
current and temperature are more. The response time of activation is too large. But in this system the
monitoring and response activation takes with in fraction of seconds. So the PIC activations also very
fast to send the pulse signal to the GTO for ON and OFF. Mostly our system is designed for safety
and protection, since the Signal to the GTO for OFF the motor. The PIC programmed with pre test of
the voltage level, for before starting of the motor. If the voltage is less than the prescribed voltage,
the PIC automatically withheld the staring of the motor. The starting of the motor is based on the
pretest (self test) of the voltage level of the supply input.
The PIC controller plays an important role in this system. The intervention of the human
being is mostly eliminated. The PIC is programmed such a way that, it will monitor and control the

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Vol. 6, No.7, pp. 797-806.

motor operation. Pic is fed with 5 volt DC power from transformer and rectifier circuit. i) It Check
the preconditions of the power supply like voltage level, frequency. The decision is taken by PIC,
based on voltage censor input and programmed default input voltage level ii) The Green light
(LED) glows if the precondition of power supply is satisfied for next operation. iii) The control unit
is activating based on the programmed software and available data. The programme is developed
according to our motor description, operating condition and our specific requirements of our drive
usage. The data is continuously fed by the sensors. So the every incident the data are fed to the

system for monitoring.

a) Timer circuit, b) Trigger circuit is accomplished with default programme by user. iv)
Temperature sensor input data, v) Current sensor data.

7.Variable Frequency Drives

Although much has been published on variable-frequency drives (VFDs), people continue
to be confused by them. The intent of this article is to provide a basic overview of these devices by
evaluating key features as well as their impact on a buildings electrical system. A VFD is used
extensively in modern facilities to save energy on mechanical systems, such as motors, pumps, etc.
Selected to match motor curves to ensure speed and loads are matched, VFDs can help save motor
energy by allowing for variable flow of air, water, etc., based on the demands and needs of a
particular site. This is accomplished by converting the fixed frequency of incoming alternating
current (AC) voltage to direct current (DC) and then reconverting it back to AC voltage by
varying the frequency at which the insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) are gated on and off.
This paper deals a soft start control technique for the three phase a.c. induction motor. It presents a
design of a low-cost; high-efficiency drive capable of supplying a three phase a.c. induction motor with
a PWM modulated sinusoidal voltage during start. The circuit operation is controlled PIC
microcontroller.
The device is aimed at substituting the commonly used IGBT phase angle control drives. The circuit is
capable of supplying a three-phase a.c. induction motor (or general a.c. inductive/resistive load) with
varying a.c. voltage at the start. Same as in IGBT control, the voltage applied to the load is varied from
zero to maximum value in a small span of time during start. On the other hand, it uses a pulse width
modulation technique (PWM), and when compared with the phase angle control used for IGBT , it
produces much lower high order harmonics. Thus, it suits EMC/EMI regulations much better. Because
the circuit is aimed at low-cost, low/medium-power applications, it does not use a conventional converter
topology to produce the output voltage waveform. It directly modulates the mains a.c. voltage. Compared
with costly converter, it requires a lower number of active and passive power components. In summary,
the device attempted here takes advantage of both the low price of the phase angle control and the low
harmonic content and high efficiency that we can get with standard converter topology and the results are
shown in figure 2.

The drive uses a PWM controlled MOSFET and the load in series with a bridge rectifier. This drive
based on this new control technique is targeted for use in consumer and industrial products, and wherever
the system cost is a consideration.

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Vol. 6, No.7, pp. 797-806.

Figure 2. Phase Angle Control and PWM Control

The input terminals of the rectifying bridge are connected in series to the load. The output
terminals (rectified side) has a power transistor (IGBT, MOSFET or bipolar) connected across
them. When the power transistor is off, current cannot flow through the rectifying bridge and the
load which is in series remains in an off-state. When the power transistor is on, the bridge output
terminals are short-circuited, then current can flow through the rectifying bridge and thus through
the load. Thus by changing the duty cycle of the PWM pulses the power to the load is controlled as
shown in Figure 2. Special care is taken in the circuit such that the PWM pulses are synchronized
with the supply phase by zero voltage sensing points.

8. Conclusion
Star or Delta starters are probably the most common reduced voltage starters in the 50 Hz
industrial motor world (known as Wye / Delta starters) in the 60Hz, in USA. They are used in an
attempt to reduce the starting current applied to the motor during start as a means of reducing the
disturbances and interference on the electrical supply besides limiting the starting current.
The Star/Delta starter is generally manufactured using three contactors, an
electromechanical timer and a thermal overload for operating a 3-phase motor at 440 volt at AC
mains supply of 50 Hz. The interlocking arrangement of all the contactor coils is traditionally wired
in 440 volt AC. However, in our project we have taken up the same to Operate a 3-phase motor at
440 volt AC mains supply 50 Hz with PIC microcontroller with programmed and digitally
adjustable timing for operate the set of IGBT .

. The project would be less expensive uses a 3-phase induction motor. Therefore, the project shall
be tested with a motor. During star operation, and delta conversion the PIC feed the firing single
to the IGBT. During the conversion instant the impulse, transients, harmonics are verified with
MATLAB simulation. The project also has the provision of single phasing protection since the 3phase motors may get burnt if any one phase goes missing during operation. The all other expected
deviation in motor operation like over voltage, under voltage, over load excess current also
eliminated with this soft starter. Furthermore, the project can be enhanced by using IGBT in a firing
angle control principle for soft start of the induction motor that would overcome all the drawbacks
caused from electromechanical relay, thermal overload relay of the star delta starter.
The industrial study also shows that, the efficiency is improves when using this soft starter for
starting a motor.

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