in case of small capacity motor having rating less than 5 h.p., the starting current is not very high and such motors can withstand such starting current without any starter. Thus these is no need to reduce applied voltage, to control the starting current. Such motors use a type of starter which is used to connect stator directly to the supply lines without any reduction in voltage. Hence the starter is known as direct on line starter.
Though this starter does not reduce the applied voltage, it is used because it protects the motor from various severe abnormal conditions like over loading, low voltage, single phasing etc.
The Fig. 1 shows the arrangement of various components on direct on line starter.
The NO contact is normally open and NC is normally closed. At start, NO is pushed for fraction of second due to which coil gets energized and attracts the contactor. So starter directly gets supply. The additional contact provided, ensures that as long as supply is ON, the coil gets supply and keeps contactor in ON position. When NC is pressed, the coil circuit gets opened due to which coil gets de-energised and motor gets switched OFF from the supply.
Under over load condition, current drawn by the motor increases due to which there is an excessive heat produced, which increases temperature beyond limit. Thermal relays get opened due to high temperature, protecting the motor from overload condition.
Fig.2 and Fig.3 shows practical circuits power and control.
