PTC Thermistor Motor Starter

What Is PTC Thermistor Motor Starter ?

PTC Thermistor Motor Starter

PTC Thermistor Motor Starter

PTC Thermistor Motor Starter is PTC Thermistor used for delaying the switch-off of the motor starter auxiliary winding (after the motor has accelerated) to protect the winding from damage.

PTC Thermistor Motor Starter packages can be economical solid state torque assist for heat pumps, room air, commercial and residential air conditioning and refrigeration systems. PTC thermistor can be used to protect the auxiliary starter winding of induction motors or single phase motors.

When the circuit is turned on, the PTC has a low resistance and most of the line voltage is applied to the starter winding. After motor starting, the PTC heats up and switches to a high resistance state. The time for this to occur is determined by the size and resistance of the PTC, as well as the amount of current flowing through the starter winding.

When the PTC has reached a high resistance state, the current flowing through it, as well as the starter winding, falls substantially.  Once the motor winding temperature reaches the trip temperature of the PTC thermistor, its resistance increases several orders of magnitude for a small increase in temperature.

Compared to the alternative start capacitor and relay, PTCR Motor start devices save several wires, occupy less panel space, mount more easily, and cost less.

PTC Thermistor Motor Starter Pellet Application:

Single-phase motor start assist in refrigerator systems, air-conditioning systems, heat-pumps, small compressors.
Inrush current generation.

PTC Thermistor Motor Starter Features:

  • Complete range of size resistance combination for 120V, 240V compressor motors.
  • Rugged silver electrodes well suited for long life pressure contact mounting.
  • Various pellet sizes for optimum inrush current and switching time.
  • Typical resistance @25C 4.7 ohm, 6.8 ohm,15 ohm, 22 ohm, 33 ohm.

How PTC Thermistor Motor Starter Work? Operating Principles

Simple PTC thermistor starter circuit diagram for single-phase AC motors

Simple PTC thermistor starter circuit diagram for single-phase AC motors

Single phase induction motors (e.g in compressors for refrigerators and air conditioners) can effectively be started when an auxiliary coil is used in the starting phase. The auxiliary coil is cut off from the circuit after the starting phase. For this purpose, PTC thermistor is employed.

When high voltage is applied to the PTC thermistor, the high current causes PTC thermistor to heat up and eventually the resistance to increase. A high current flows initially (starting phase ) and then decreases in relation to the increase in resistance. After the starting phase, a low residual current flows the auxiliary coil.

The PTC thermistor is used for delaying the switch-off of the starter auxiliary winding (after the motor has accelerated) to protect the winding from damage.

PTC Current vs. Time Showing Definition Rdyn and Switch Time Graph

PTC Current vs. Time Showing Definition Rdyn and Switch Time Graph

PTC Thermistor Motor Starter Pellet

PTC Thermistor Motor Starter Pellet

PTC Motor Starter Pellet Construction

PTC Motor Starter Pellet Construction

AMWEI PTC Thermistor Motor Starter Pellets (Disk) Data Sheet

Resistance @25C
R25
(ohm)
Max. Voltage
(V)
Max. Current
(A)
Starting Time
(Seconds)
Power Consumption
(W)
Recovery Time
(Seconds)
Coil Resistance
(ohm)
Switching Temperature
Centigrade
Diameter
(mm)
Thickness
(mm)
4.7 ohm 180V 12A 0.5-2.5S 3.5W 100S 10 ohm

120C

19.5
+/-1.0
mm
2.5
+/-0.2
mm
6.8 ohm 200V 10A 0.2-1.5S 3.5W 100S 25 ohm
15 ohm 350V 8A 0.2-1.5S 3.0W 100S 30 ohm
22 ohm 350V 7A 0.2-1.5S 3.0W 85S 30 ohm
33 ohm 350V 6A 0.2-1.5S 3.0W 85S 55 ohm
47 ohm 400V 5A 0.2-1.5S 3.0W 75S 55 ohm
4.7 ohm 180V 12A 0.2-1.3S 3.3W 85S 10 ohm

120C

16
+/-0.5
mm
2.5
+/-0.2
mm
6.8 ohm 180V 10A 0.2-1.2S 3.3W 90S 10 ohm
15 ohm 350V 8A 0.2-1.2S 2.8W 100S 30 ohm
22 ohm 350V 7A 0.2-1.0S 2.8W 85S 30 ohm
33 ohm 350V 6A 0.2-1.0S 2.8W 85S 30 ohm
47 ohm 350V 5A 0.2-1.0S 2.8W 80S 30 ohm

PTC Thermistor Motor Starter Reliability Data

Test Item Standard Test conditions ΔR25/R25
Switching test at room temperature IEC60738-1 Imax Vmax Number of cycles: 10000 cycles <25%
Rapid change of temperature in air IEC600628-2-14, Test Na T=TLCT, T=TUCT Number of cycles: 5 cycles T:30min <20%
Endurance at max. operating temperature and max. operating voltage IEC60738-1 Ambient temperature: +60C Maximum Operating Voltage Current limited to Imax. Time: 24 hours <25%
Storage in damp heat IEC 600628-2-3 Temperature of air: 40C Relative humidity of air: 93% Duration: 56 days <20%

PTC Thermistor Motor Starter Application Circuit Diagram Examples

PTC thermistor motor starter for RSI CSIR CRS PSC motors

PTC thermistor motor starter for RSI CSIR CRS PSC motors

Motor Starting Circuit Diagram

Motor Starting Circuit Diagram

Starting Circuit Diagram with PTC Thermistor Motor Starter

Starting Circuit Diagram with PTC Thermistor Motor Starter

Other AMWEI PTC Thermistors Products for Motor Application

Linear Silicon PTC Thermistor Sensor, KTY84 83 81 replace, Motor Temperature Measurement

Linear Silicon PTC Thermistor Sensor, KTY84 83 81 replace, Motor Temperature Measurement

PTC Thermistors Resettable Fuse, for Motor Transformer Current Overload Short Circuit Protection

PTC Thermistors Resettable Fuse, for Motor Transformer Current Overload Short Circuit Protection

PTC Thermistors Limit Temperature Sensors for Motor Protection 1 PTC Single Sensor 3 PTCs Triple Sensors

PTC Thermistors Limit Temperature Sensors for Motor Protection 1 PTC Single Sensor 3 PTCs Triple Sensors