Circuits

41 Sequence Control: Off-Delay

Definite sequence control off-delay

The above circuit shows a standard three-wire circuit for a single-motor starter M1. In parallel with M1 is a time-delay relay (TR) who’s normally open, timed to open (NOTO) contacts identify it as an off-delay timer. These timed contacts are in series with motor starter M2.

The above switching arrangement will allow two motors to be controlled from a single pushbutton station. If the start button is pressed both motors M1 and M2 will start instantly. This is because the normally open contacts associated with the off-delay coil will change their state instantly when the coil is energized.

Once both motor starters are engaged, the motors will continue to run until the stop button is pressed. Once pressed, the M1 contactor and the off-delay timer will be de-energized, and their contacts will revert to their original state.

For the motor starter, this will happen instantly, but the timed contacts associated with the timer coil will have a delay of five seconds before they open, during which time motor M2 will continue to run. It is important to note that even though the timer coil has been disconnected from its source of power, it still performs its timing function. It does not need external energy to delay its contacts, that energy is stored in the timer, usually as compressed air or spring tension.

If an overload occurs on motor M2, only that motor will stop, but if motor M1 develops an overload and its OLR contacts open, then the coil will de-energize and its 2-3 holding contact will open, disconnecting the timer coil from the source of supply. Once the off-delay coil is de-energized, its contacts will delay for five seconds, then revert to their original state, so motor M2 will continue to run for five seconds after motor M1 has stopped due to an overload.

If more than two motors are to be sequenced in this fashion, we would simply scale up this switching arrangement by connecting additional timer relays in parallel with each motor starter so that each motor stops one after the other in the prescribed sequence.

definition

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Basic Motor Control Copyright © 2020 by Aaron Lee and Chad Flinn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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