( addressing USA readers, but similar references exist for IEC Stds.)
There has been some confusion in the past years concerning the application of motor controllers. UL508A addresses this issue as to what devices make up a motor controller and what kind of options are available.
The combination motor controller is a device or combination of devices designed to start and stop a motor by making and breaking the motor current.
The controller is capable of interrupting the locked-rotor current of the motor. In the United States, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70, National Electrical Code (NEC), Article 430 addresses motors, branch-circuit protection, motor overload protection, control circuits, motor controllers, conductors, the combination of these devices and how they relate to one another in regards to protection and sizing.
The combination motor controller generally consists of a circuit disconnecting means; motor branch-circuit, short-circuit and ground-fault protection device; a magnetic or solid state motor controller; and overload relay. The circuit disconnecting means, motor branch-circuit, short-circuit and ground-fault protection device, usually consists of a fusible disconnect or a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker can be either an instantaneous trip or inverse time breaker.
- The instantaneous trip breaker provides short circuit protection where the inverse
time breaker provides both short circuit protection and overload protection.
- The magnetic motor controller is generally referred to as a contactor.
- The motor controller makes or breaks the motor current.
- The overload relay provides protection from overload conditions.
- Auxiliary pilot devices such as push-buttons and selector switches, whether mounted on the unit or mounted remotely, are used to energize or de-energize the motor controller.
- Pilot lights are used to show equipment status. A typical combination motor controller using a contactor and overload relay
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In recent years, UL added the Type E combination motor controller to its list of combination motor controllers in section 508, Industrial Control Equipment. The Type E controller is a manual self-protected combination motor controller that provides both overload and short-circuit protection in a compact device. This design DOES NOT require an upstream circuit breaker or fuses. The Type E controllers are designed to have a disconnect means, branch circuit protection, motor control and motor overload is a single device, the same features required on a combination motor controller