Experimental Comparison of Preferential vs. Common Delta Connections for the Star-Delta Starting of Induction Motors

Although this is a fact that is not very explored in the literature, there are two possible forms to connect the stator winding of an induction motor in the delta. The choice for one of these forms defines the amplitude of the stator transient current during the switching from star to delta connection when the motor is driven by a star-delta starting system, which is the most widely used and diffused method for starting an induction motor. One of the possible forms of the delta connection gives rise to a switching current with a relatively small amplitude, which gives it the denomination of preferential. The other form has a relatively higher amplitude of switching current, but it is the most recommended and indicated in diagrams of catalogues and motor plates. Therefore, it is here called “common”. With the aim of evidencing how the differences between these two forms of delta connection are manifested, this paper approaches the issue experimentally, through a methodology with statistical support, for a better characterization of the performance of each of these forms of delta connection, in the case of the widely popular star-delta starting method.