Direct-on-Line or DOL Starting of Induction Motor

Direct-on-Line or DOL Starting is the simplest mode of starting of Induction Motor where the stator is directly connected to the mains supply as shown in figure below.

The motor starts with its own characteristics. When it is switched on, the motor behaves like a transformer with its secondary, formed by the very low resistance rotor cage, in short circuit. There is a high induced current in the rotor which results in a current peak in the mains supply:

Such a large current of short duration do not harm rugged squirrel cage induction motor, but the high current may cause objectionable voltage drop in the power supply line feeding to the Induction Motor. This large voltage drop causes undesirable dip in the supply line voltage which will affect the operation of other equipment connected to the same source of supply. If the supply system is of sufficient power capacity and high starting current of squirrel cage induction motor do not cause objectionable voltage drop in the supply line voltage then DOL starting should be preferred.

Now have better understanding of DOL starting of Squirrel Cage Induction Motor, we will calculate the ratio of Starting Torque T_est and Full Load Torque T_fl.

As we know that torque in Induction Motor is given as,

T_e = I₂²r₂/ w_ss

Where I₂ is rotor current, r₂ is rotor resistance, ws is synchronous speed and s is slip.

Therefore ratio of starting torque and full load torque,

T_est / T_fl= (I_2st² / I_2fl²) s_fl ……..[As slip during starting, s =1] ……….(1)

Here I_2st and I_2flare per phase rotor current during starting and at full load respectively.

From the basic concept of Induction Motor, we know that Induction motor behaves as a Transformer and therefore the concept of transformer action can be applied here. Neglecting no load current we can write as,

Stator mmf = Rotor mmf

I_stx Effective Stator Turns = I_2stx Effective Rotor Turns

⇒ I_st= (Effective rotor to stator turn ratio)xI_2st

Hence for starting and full load current we can write as,

I_st / I_fl= [(Effective rotor to stator turn ratio)xI_2st] / [(Effective rotor to stator turn ratio)xI_2fl]

⇒ I_st/ I_fl = I_2st / I_2fl  ………………………..(2)

From equation (1) and (2),

T_est / T_fl= (I_st²r₂ / I_fl²r₂) s_fl

⇒ T_est/ T_fl = (I_st / I_fl)² s_fl

But during starting an induction motor behaves as a Transformer having secondary shorted, hence starting current will be short circuit current I_sc. Therefore,

T_est / T_fl= (I_sc / I_fl)² s_fl

From the above equation we observe that starting torque in DOL or Direct-on-Line Starting is high. The average starting torque is in DOL starting,

Torque on starting = 0.5 to 1.5 rated Torque.

In spite of advantages of DOL or Direct-on-Line Starting (being simple equipment, high starting torque, fast start, low cost), direct on-line starting is only suitable when for the following cases:

1)    The power of the motor is low compared to that of the mains, which limits interference from inrush current.

2)    The machine to drive does not need to speed up gradually or has a damping device to limit the shock of starting.

3)    The starting torque can be high without affecting machine operation or the load that is driven.