CONTROL CIRCUITS

Direct on Line Starter

A Direct on Line Starter (DOL) normally consists of a contactor (C), an overload relay
(O/L) and push buttons (STOP) and (START).

L1 N
PE L1 L2 L3
O/L STOP START

C
C
O/L C

U1 V1 W1

M1
CONTROL DIAGRAM

POWER DIAGRAM

Direct onLineStarter (DOL)

From the Power Diagram we see that when contactor C closes, that 3-phase supply is
applied to the motor. An overload relay is connected after the contactor C, to monitor the
current taken by the motor. Should the current exceed a specified value, the contacts 95-
96 of the overload relay will open.
The opening of contacts 95-96 of the overload relay will stop the motor, preventing it
from burning out. Contacts 95-96 can be re-closed by resetting the overload relay.

DOL starters are used for small motors which have low starting currents.

From the Control Diagram we can see that closing the START push-button will energise
the contactor C, provided O/L and STOP buttons are closed.
When C is energised the main contacts 1,3,5-2,4,6 will close and the motor will start
running.

1
At the same moment auxiliary contact 13-14 will close. On releasing the start push button
(START), the current will continue to flow through the auxiliary contacts 13-14.
Contacts 13-14 are called maintaining contacts.

PE L1 L2 L3 N
L1 N
2
5

1 2 3 4 5

CB2
CB1 6A
10A
6

START
O/L STOP

1 3 5
95 96 7 1 2 8 3 4 9 A1 C A2

C
2 4 6

C
O/L 13 14

12 13 14

U1 V1 W1
M1
(STAR)

POWER DIAGRAM CONTROL DIAGRAM

Direct onLineStarter

Stopping of the motor is possible by pressing the push-button (STOP). The motor will
also stop in case of overload.

When there is a power failure, the contactor C opens and when the supply is restored the
push-button (START) must be pressed in order to re-start the motor. Therefore, we say
that the coil has a no-volt-release (NVR) purpose.

DOL starters are sometimes enclosed in a single unit comprising of START and STOP
button, contactors and overload. The STOP function is made by pressing the RESET
button on the overload relay.

2
An overload relay, showing the NO and NC contacts.

3
A typical contactor showing main and auxiliary contacts