Dictionary of Electrical Engineering

Commonly used terms in the Electrical industry.

electronic motor starter
starter in which solid state devices provide reduced voltage to the motor for starting, thus limiting the starting current.
magnetic motor starter
motor starter that uses electromechanical devices such as contactors and relays.
motor starter
an electric controller, either manual or automatic, for accelerating a motor from rest to normal speed and for stopping the motor.
reduced-voltage motor starter
a device designed to safely connect an electric motor to the power source while limiting the magnitude of its starting current. Various electromechanical configurations may be used: primary resistor, delta-wye, part-winding (requires special motor or dual voltage windings). Power electronic devices may also be utilized to gradually increase the applied voltage to system levels. The complete starter must also include fault and overload protection.
reversing motor starter
a motor controller capable of accelerating a motor from rest to normal speed in either direction of rotation. Some reversing motor starters can go directly from forward to reverse (or vice versa), while others must be stopped before a reversal of direction can take place. Both electromechanical and electronic reversing starters are available.