AUTOTRANSFO

RMER MOTOR
STARTER

Transformer vs
Autotransformer

Transformer

Auto Transformer

Introduction
An autotransformer is an electrical transformer with
only have one winding. It is different from traditional
transformers because autotransformers share a
common winding. On each end of the transformer
core is an end terminal for the winding, but there is
also a second winding that connects at intermediate
point, forming a third terminal.

The first and second terminals conduct the

primary voltage, while the third terminal
works alongside either the first or second
terminal to provide a secondary form of
voltage.

 Suppose you have a single coil of 200 turns wound

over an iron core as shown in figure 1. If we apply an
AC voltage of 400 V, 50 Hz to the coil (between points
B and C), voltage per turn will be 400/200 = 2 V. If we
take out a wire from one end of the coil say C and
take out another wire tapped from any arbitrary point
E, we would expect some voltage available between
points E and C. The magnitude of the voltage will
obviously be 2 NEC where NEC is the number of
turnswe
between
points
E and C. If tapping has been
Thus
have been
able
taken
in such
that NEC = 100, voltage between
to
change
400aVway
input
E and C would
be V
200 V.
voltage
to a 200
output voltage by using
a single coil only. Such
transformers having a
single coil with suitable
Figure 1. Autotransformer
tapings are called

Three similar single units of autotransformers

could connected as shown in the Figure 2 to get
variable balanced three phase output voltage from
a fixed three phase voltage.

Figure 2. Three phase Autotransformer

Autotransformer for Motor Starter

An autotransformer starter reduces
inrush current by using a transformer in
the line of the motor to step down the
voltage applied to the motor terminals. By
reducing the voltage, the current drawn
from the line is reduced during start-up.
The autotransformer starter can be used
for any squirrel-cage motor.

Advantages of Auto-transformer
It effects a saving in winding material
(copper or aluminum), since the secondary
winding is part of the primary current.
Lower copper loss, therefore efficiency is
higher than in the two winding
transformer.
Lower leakage reactance, lower exciting
current.
Variable output voltage can be obtained.

Disadvantages of AutoTransformer
There is a direct connection between
the primary and secondary sides.
The short-circuit current is much
larger than for normal two-winding
transformer

Summary of the characteristics

between two types of reduced voltage
starter
Autotransformer
50%

65%

80%

Wye(St
ar) Delta

Starting current
drawn from line in
%

25%

42%

64%

33%

2.

Starting current
drawn by the motor

50%

65%

80%

58%

3.

Starting torque
developed in %

25%

42%

64%

33%

4.

Smoothness of
acceleration

No
Characteristic
.
1.

First

Second

Source: Reduced voltage controller, SIEMENS SFIM-14000-0402, April 2002

5.

Starting current and

torque and
adjustments

Adjustable within
limits of various
taps

Fixed

AUTOTRANSFO
RMER CIRCUIT

Autotransformer power circuit

Reduced voltage from Autotransforme

Autotransformer power circuit

Voltage directly main supply

Autotransformer control circuit

Autotransformer control circuit

Autotransformer control circuit

Complete Autotransformer control circuit