Examples of Control Circuits
2- and 3-Wire Control
Elementary Diagrams
Low Voltage Release and Low Voltage Protection are the basic control circuits encountered in motor control applications. The simplest schemes
are shown below. Other variations shown in this section may appear more complicated, but can always be resolved into these two basic
schemes.
Note: The control circuits shown in this section may not include overcurrent protective devices required by applicable electrical codes. See page
11 for examples of control circuit overcurrent protective devices and their use.
Low Voltage Release: Low Voltage Protection:
2-Wire Control 3-Wire Control
FIG. 1 L1 L2 FIG. 2
L1 L2
M OL START M
STOP 2 3 OL
1 3 1
M
PILOT DEVICE SUCH AS
LIMIT SWITCH,
PRESSURE SWITCH, ETC.
Low voltage release is a 2-wire control scheme using a Low voltage protection is a 3-wire control scheme using
maintained contact pilot device in series with the starter coil. momentary contact push buttons or similar pilot devices to
energize the starter coil.
This scheme is used when a starter is required to function
automatically without the attention of an operator. If a power This scheme is designed to prevent the unexpected starting of
failure occurs while the contacts of the pilot device are closed, motors, which could result in injury to machine operators or
the starter will drop out. When power is restored, the starter damage to the driven machinery. The starter is energized by
will automatically pickup through the closed contacts of the pressing the Start button. An auxiliary holding circuit contact on
pilot device. the starter forms a parallel circuit around the Start button
contacts, holding the starter in after the button is released. If a
The term “2-wire” control is derived from the fact that in the
power failure occurs, the starter will drop out and will open the
basic circuit, only two wires are required to connect the pilot
holding circuit contact. When power is restored, the Start button
device to the starter.
must be operated again before the motor will restart.
The term “3-wire” control is derived from the fact that in the
basic circuit, at least three wires are required to connect the
pilot devices to the starter.
2-Wire Control: 3-Wire Control:
Maintained Contact Hand-OFF-Auto Selector Switch Momentary Contact Multiple Push Button Station
FIG. 3 FIG. 4 L1 L2
L1 L2 START
A1 I
A2 I
HAND OFF AUTO START M OL
M OL 1 STOP STOP STOP 2 3
A1 3A
START
1A 2A A2
M
2-WIRE CONTROL DEVICE
A Hand-Off-Auto selector switch is used on 2-wire control When a motor must be started and stopped from more than one
applications where it is desirable to operate the starter manually location, any number of Start and Stop push buttons may be
as well as automatically. The starter coil is manually energized wired together. It is also possible to use only one Start-Stop
when the switch is turned to the Hand position and is station and have several Stop buttons at different locations to
automatically energized by the pilot device when the switch is serve as an emergency stop.
in the Auto position.
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