explanation for this is easier to understand if you draw a sketch of the wirings and their connections, but unfortunately

we cannot use diagrams when giving an answer here! Anyway, if you draw the circuit diagram for the windings connected in a "star" or "Y" configuration, it should look like a three-pointed star, with a phase input power line attached to each point of the star. Thus, when a 3-phase motor's three windings are connected in a star configuration, the current from each individual phase power input line goes directly into one winding and is then series-connected to both of the other two windings via the star's "center-point". If you draw the circuit diagram for a delta configuration, it should look like a triangle with a phase power input line attached to each point of the triangle. Thus, when a 3-phase motor's three windings are connected in a delta configuration, each winding is effectively connected directly to two phase supply lines. The third phase supply line is also connected to that winding, but indirectly via the other two windings. They are connected in series to one another, and that series pair is connected in parallel across the first winding, to form the "delta". The much lower starting current is the main reason why a three-phase motor was usually started in star mode and then - after gaining a steady speed - was switched over to run in delta mode to achieve its maximum power output. Update: Electronic motor-control systems, which offer soft-starts in DELTA configuration, are now replacing the use of manual or semi-automatic star-delta starters. Technical explanation When voltage applied to each winding is reduced to only (1 /.'/'3) [1 divided by root three] of the voltage applied to the winding when it is connected directly across two incoming power service lines in DELTA. the current per winding is reduced to only (1 /.'/'3) [1 divided by root three] of the normal running current taken when it is connected in DELTA. so, because of the Power Law V [in volts] x I [in amps] = P [in watts], the total output power when the motor is connected in STAR is: PS = [VL x (1/.'/'3)] x [ID x (1/.'/'3 )] = PD x (1/3) [one third of the power in DELTA] where: VL is the line-to-line voltage of the incoming 3-phase power service ID is the line current drawn in DELTA PS is the total power the motor can produce when running in STAR PD is the total power it can produce when running in DELTA. a further disadvantage when the motor is connected in STAR is that its total output torque is only 1/3 of the total torque it can produce when running in DELTA. For more information please see produce when running in DELTA. For more information please see the answers to the Related Questions shown below.

it is connected directly across two incoming power service lines windings of a 3-phase motor are connected in STAR: the