CHAPTER 18

BASIC CONTROL CIRCUITS

OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, the student will be able to:
Describe the operation of a two-wire control circuit.
Describe the operation of a three-wire control circuit.

Control circuits can be divided into two major types: the single-phase manual starter shown in Figure 3 – 1.
two-wire control circuits and three-wire control cir- Two-wire control circuits also control the operation
cuits. A two-wire control circuit can be a simple switch of three-phase motors by controlling the power applied
that makes or breaks connection to a motor (Fig- to the motor starter coil. A good example of this type
ure 18–1). A good example of this type of control is of control is an air compressor (Figure 18 – 2). The

NEUTRAL CONDUCTOR

HOT
CONDUCTOR

+
SW
ITC
H

Figure 18 – 1 A two-wire control can be a simple switch that controls a motor. (Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.)
 FUSED DISCONNECT

CONTROL TRANSFORMER
MOTOR STARTER

AIR OUTLET

FLEXIBLE CONDUIT

TWO WIRE CONTROL

PRESSURE SWITCH

Figure 18 – 2 The motor starter is controlled by running two wires to a pressure switch. (Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.)
 It is not unusual for two-wire control circuits to use
L1 L2 L3
line voltage controls. Line voltage controls are simply
controls that do not employ the use of a control trans-
former to change the voltage to a lower value. The coils
of motor starters and contactors are available that oper-
ate at different voltages. Common voltage values for
M OLHTR motor starter coils (in volts AC) are: 24, 120, 208, 240,
T1
M OLHTR 277, 480, and 560. A two-wire line voltage control cir-
T2
MOTOR cuit is shown in Figure 18 – 5.
M OLHTR T3

CONTROL TRANSFORMER Three-Wire Control Circuits

Three-wire control circuits are characterized by the use
OL of momentary contact devices such as push buttons.
M
When push buttons control the operation of a motor,
PRESSURE SWITCH
three wires are run from the push-button control station
to the starter (Figure 18 – 6). A simple three-wire push-
Figure 18 – 3 Schematic diagram of the circuit shown in
button control circuit is shown in Figure 18 – 7. Three-
Figure 18 – 2. (Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.) wire control is used to a much greater extent through-
out industry than two-wire control because of its
flexibility. Pilot control devices such as push buttons,
float switches, and limit switches can be mounted in re-
pressure switch is used to control the motor starter. mote locations, whereas while the motor starter can be
A schematic diagram of the circuit in Figure 18 – 2 is located close to the motor it controls or in a control cab-
shown in Figure 18–3. Two-wire control circuits are so inet with other control components. Another advantage
named because only two wires are required to control of three-wire control circuits is that in the event of a
the operation of the circuit. Two-wire circuits may power failure they will not restart automatically when
incorporate several different external sensing devices, power is restored. This can be a major safety issue in
as shown in Figure 18 – 4. This circuit is a basic control many instances. Three-wire controls depend on a set
for a hot water boiler. The thermostat controls the of normally open contacts, generally called holding,
action of the burner. Two float switches are used to maintaining, or sealing contacts, connected in parallel
sense low and high water conditions in the boiler. with the start push button to maintain the circuit once
A high limit temperature switch will stop the burner if the normally open start button is released. These con-
the water temperature should become excessive. tacts are labeled M in Figure 18 – 7.
 L1 L2 L3

M OLHTR
T1
M OLHTR
T2
MOTOR
M OLHTR T3

CONTROL TRANSFORMER

OL
M

THERMOSTAT LOW WATER HIGH WATER HIGH TEMPERATURE

Figure 18 – 4 Two-wire control circuits may contain any number of external sensing devices. (Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.)

480 VAC 3 ϴ
L1 L2 L3
480 VAC COIL

OL
M

M OLHTR
T1

M OLHTR
T2
MOTOR
M OLHTR T3

Figure 18 – 5 A two-wire line voltage control circuit. (Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.)

 THREE WIRES ARE
REQUIRED TO CONTROL
THE STARTER.

Figure 18 – 6 Three wires are required to control a starter with momentary contact devices such as push buttons. (Source:
Delmar/Cengage Learning.)
 L1 L2 L3
M OL

M OL
MOTOR
M OL

CONTROL
TRANSFORMER

START
STOP
OL
M

Figure 18 – 7 A basic three-wire start-stop control circuit. (Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.)

Review Questions
1. What are the two major types of control circuits? 4. Refer to the schematic shown in Figure 18–4.
What type of switch is the low water switch?
2. How is it possible for a two-wire control
a. normally open float switch.
circuit to control the operation of a three-phase
b. normally closed float switch.
motor?
c. normally open held closed float switch.
3. Refer to the schematic shown in Figure 18–4. d. normally closed held open float switch.
What type of switch is the thermostat? 5. What generally characterizes a three-wire control
a. normally open temperature switch. circuit?
b. normally closed temperature switch.
c. normally open held closed temperature switch. 6. Explain the function of a holding contact.
d. normally closed held open temperature switch. 7. How are holding contacts connected?