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Practice 4. Starting at TR with
Autotransformer
Autor
Jiménez García Marco Antonio
Professor
Dr. Amezquita Sánchez Juan Pablo
I. Objective
The objective of this practice is to report and observe how to properly connect an autotransformer to make a
motor spin around with a lower voltage and then at full power
II. Instruments and Materials
Instruments
- 2 Relay 240V
- Autotransformer 127V
- Timer Relay
Materials
- Banana Connector
- Power Relay 240V
- Push Button
- AC Source 240V
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Thermal Overload Relays
A thermal overload relay is a protective device used in motor circuits to prevent motors from overheating
due to prolonged overload conditions. It operates by sensing the heat generated by excessive current flowing
through the motor and disconnecting the motor when a predefined temperature threshold is reached.
Working Principle:
Bimetallic Strip: A thermal overload relay typically uses a bimetallic strip, composed of two metals with
different thermal expansion rates. When the current exceeds the motor's rated capacity, the strip heats up and
bends, eventually tripping the relay.
Trip Mechanism: When the bimetal strip bends far enough, it triggers a mechanism that opens the contactor,
cutting power to the motor and preventing further damage.
Manual or Automatic Reset: After cooling, thermal overload relays can either automatically reset or require
manual resetting, depending on the application.
Fig. 1 Relay used for the control of the motor
What is an Autotransformer?
An autotransformer (or auto transformer) is a type of electrical transformer with only one winding. The “auto”
prefix refers to the single coil acting alone (Greek for “self”) – not to any automatic mechanism. An auto
transformer is similar to a two winding transformer but varies in the way the primary and secondary winding
of the transformer are interrelated.
Autotransformer Theory
An auto transformer uses a single winding for both the primary and secondary purposes, unlike two-winding
transformers which use separate windings. The diagram below illustrates this concept.
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Fig. 2 Diagram of the autotransfomer
What Is a Time Relay?
Time relay is a type of device that can control power flow in a circuit by using an electromagnet. The device
includes a coil of wire that is wrapped around an iron core. When power flows through the circuit, it creates
a magnetic field in the electromagnet.
This magnetic field can attract or repel another magnet attached to a timer relay switch inside the device. The
time relay will allow you to control when this happens by controlling how long the current flows through its
coils before stopping.
How Does Time Delay Relay Work?
Electromagnetism is the timer relay working principle. One relay coil is always on, while the other can be
turned off and on with an electric signal sent through it from a control device such as a phone or computer
system. The “on” coil receives power all the time, making it ready to activate at a moment’s notice.
The “off” coil only receives power when the device is activated, and then it works to pull in an armature that
activates the other end of the circuit where electricity flows. When the power is turned off, this armature pulls
back to its original position and no longer allows electricity to flow through the circuit.
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Fig. 3 Timer Relay
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III. Methodology
For this circuit it’s necessary to use a timer relay, activating the coil K1 and K3 in short circuit, making the
motor to star with 127V at medium tension and five seconds later when the timer closes the contact the K3
coil is going to stay in short circuit but the K2 coil is going to open, making the power supply to give 220V
to the motor and this one is going to spin at the maximum tension.
Fig. 4 Connection diagram for the timer relay
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Fig. 5 Diagram for the power connections for the motor, the autotransformer is connected to the third relay
in short circuit.
Fig. 6 Diagram electrical connections in SolidWorks electrical
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Fig. 7 Autotransformer connections
Fig. 8 Relays and timer connections for the circuit
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Fig. 9 Oscilloscope graphic, the start is with the autotransformer in 127V, and the second mark is when the
motor is spinning at full tension
With this graphic we can see that the motor changes the consumed current with 127V and 220V, plus the
difference between the 0 value and the maximum is 624mV, the instrument used to check the current says
that this value means the motor in consuming 1.73 ARMS
This calculous is obtained by the following equation
First is necessary to calculate the current that the motor is consuming, the instrument says that every 100mV
is equal to an Ampere
𝟔𝟐𝟒𝒎𝑽
= 𝟔. 𝟐𝟒 𝑨𝒎𝒑
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝒎𝑽
With this value it’s possible to calculate the ARMS value by multiplying the Amp value with the sqrt of 3,
this value is 1.73 ARMS
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IV. Conclusion
Starting a three-phase motor with an autotransformer and time relay at a reduced voltage, such as 127V,
provides a gradual increase in torque and a significant reduction in inrush current. This approach minimizes
mechanical and electrical stresses on the motor, making it ideal for applications where a soft start is necessary.
In this setup, the motor initially receives 127V for the first 5 seconds, providing a smoother and more
controlled start.
After 5 seconds, the time relay switches the connection to the full supply voltage of 220V, allowing the motor
to reach its rated speed and power. This staged approach not only helps protect the motor and connected
machinery from sudden jolts but also reduces the load on the power supply, contributing to overall system
stability. This method is particularly useful in systems where high inrush currents would otherwise cause
voltage drops or disturbances.
Pros: This method reduces inrush current during startup, which lessens electrical stress on the motor and
avoids causing significant voltage drops in the power network. It also provides a smoother start, which
reduces mechanical shock to the motor and connected equipment, potentially extending their lifespan. The
staged increase in voltage is beneficial for systems sensitive to sudden surges, promoting better overall
stability and efficiency in power distribution.
Cons: However, this setup is more complex and costly compared to simpler starting methods, as it requires
an autotransformer, a time relay, and additional wiring. Furthermore, the reduced voltage at startup means
that the initial torque is lower, which may not be sufficient for heavy-load applications that demand high
starting torque. Finally, maintenance and troubleshooting can be more time-intensive due to the added
components in the circuit.
Bibliography:
1] Electrical4U, “Theory of electric current,” Electrical4U. Jun. 26, 2024. [Online]. Available:
https://www.electrical4u.com/what-is-auto-transformer/
2] Chint, “The Ultimate guide to the time relay | CHINT blog,” CHINT, Sep. 05, 2021.
https://chintglobal.com/blog/time-relay/
