This document describes exercises for conducting motor starting studies using ETAP software. It provides sample motor and load data as well as instructions for setting up different study cases to analyze motor starting under various conditions. These include: 1) analyzing static and dynamic motor starting, 2) using starting devices like soft starters and capacitor banks to solve low voltage problems, 3) studying MOV starting processes, and 4) analyzing load transitions between different load categories. The goal is to evaluate system performance and identify solutions for any voltage issues during motor starting or load changes.

1. Motor Starting Study Exercise
ETAP Workshop Notes ©1996-2009 Operation Technology, Inc. Page 1 of 5
1. Exercise 1: System Setup – additional data for MS based on SC study files
1.1. Source and Branch Parameters
Same as load flow and short-circuit studies.
1.2. Switching Motor Data for Static Motor Starting
Element Accel T
No Load
Accel T
Full Load
St
Load*
Final
Load
T
Begin
T
Final
Mtr 1 2 4 100 100 0 0
Mtr 2 1 2 100 100 0 0
Syn 1 2 4 25 90 1 5
* Set starting category data for the first category.
* Check data for Mtr4 and Mtr5.
1.3. Switching Motor Data for Dynamic Motor Acceleration
* In Motor Parameter Update Dialog, uncheck all boxes.
Element Mtr Model * Load Model H
Mtr 1 Single 2, HV-HS-LT, MV500HP2P FAN 0.4
Mtr 2 Charac, LV-HS-HT, LV200HP2P a k***3 0.2
Syn 1 Single 2, HV-HS-HT, MV1000HP2P Recip. Comp .5
Set these data on motor editor “ Start Cat ” page:
Element %Start
Load
%Final
Load
T
Begin
T
Final
Mtr 1 100 100 0 0
Mtr 2 100 100 0 0
Syn 1 25 90 1 5
1.4. Starting Category (check the checkboxes in “Start Cat” page)
Starting Group Motor
Normal Mtr 1, Mtr 4
Back Up Mtr 2, Mtr 3

2. Motor Starting Study Exercise
ETAP Workshop Notes ©1996-2009 Operation Technology, Inc. Page 2 of 5
2. Exercise 2: Motor Starting Case 1
2.1. Set up Study Case: MSCase-1
Using Design Load, No load diversity factor.
Run simulation for 15 Seconds.
Include XFMR LTC in Pre-starting Load Flow, not during simulation.
Acceleration motor model based on Mechanical Load.
Use default settings on Adjustment and Alert Pages. Check all alert options with minimum
violation span = 0.2 second.
Use Normal configuration.
Action sequence:
Study Case: MSCase-1
Time Parameter Setting
0.2 second Start Mtr 5, at 60% load and ramp load from 60% to 100 % in 3 seconds.
Switch on static load Load 2, Loading Category: Design
3 second Start all motors in the system belong to Normal Category
2.2. Run Static Motor Starting
Check results from OLV display, plot and report.
Is system voltage ok? Is the problem real or is it related to user entered acceleration time and
sequencing? (Try re-sequencing starting motors to solve low voltage problem. Change the
event time for the second event to 4 second.)
2.3. Run Dynamic Motor Starting
Check results from OLV display, plot and report.
Is system voltage ok?
Can all the motors be started? (Check Mtr4)
Solution to solve problem with motors failing to start. The key is to increase acceleration
torque. Which methods list below can solve the problem?
o Change starting sequence
o Change pre-starting voltage
o Use XFMR LTC
o Use Starting device – What type of starter should be used here? (Capacitor)
o Use larger motor
o Try to change Mtr4 Starting Load from 80% to 60% or 40% -- Can Mtr 4 be started now?
Check for low voltage problem – Is there any voltage problem?
Run study again with configuration “TieOpen”. Check for low voltage problem – Is there a
voltage problem? How to solve it? (Try starting device as to be done in Exercise 3.)

3. Motor Starting Study Exercise
ETAP Workshop Notes ©1996-2009 Operation Technology, Inc. Page 3 of 5
3. Exercise 3: Starting Devices
3.1. Run Dynamic Motor Starting
Configuration: Tie-Open, Study Case: MSCase-1
Check bus voltage for starting motors. (Mtr1 V < 80%)
How can you solve the problem? ( Re-sequencing, start at reduced load, using starter?)
3.2. Try Using Starting Device
What type of starting device to use?
Try current control soft starter and Capacitor bank at motor terminal. Is it a good way of
solving problem?
Starting Device
Current Control Capacitor at Bus/Terminal
Speed Setting Type Speed Setting Type
0 400% Fixed 0 1000 kvar Fixed
2 200 or 250% Ramp 95 Remove
95 400% Fixed
95 Remove
3.3. Try voltage control soft starter.

4. Motor Starting Study Exercise
ETAP Workshop Notes ©1996-2009 Operation Technology, Inc. Page 4 of 5
4. Exercise 4: MOV Starting
4.1. Set up MOV data
Both MOVs have Hammer Blow.
Both MOVs do not have Micro Switch.
Both MOVs have Vlimit = 80.
T = 0.5 second for Start, Full Speed, Seating/unseating, and Stall periods.
5 seconds for Travel period.
4.2. Set up Study Case MSCase-2 and MSCase-3
Using Design Load, No load diversity factor.
Run simulation for 15 Seconds.
Include XFMR LTC in Pre-starting Load Flow, not during simulation.
Acceleration motor model based on Mechanical Load.
Use default settings on Adjustment and Alert Pages. Check all alert options with minimum
violation span = 0.2 second.
Use Normal configuration.
Action sequence:
Study Case: MSCase-2
Time Parameter Setting
0.2 second Start all motors in the system belongs to Backup Category
Switch on static load Load 1, Design category
3 second Start OpenMOV and ClosedMOV
Study Case: MSCase-3
Time Parameter Setting
3 second Start OpenMOV and ClosedMOV
5 second Start all motors in the system belongs to Backup Category
Switch on static load Load 1, Design category
4.3. Run Dynamic Motor Starting with MSCase-2
Check results from OLV display, plot and report.
Check MOV starting process.
4.4. Run Dynamic Motor Starting with MSCase-3
Check results from OLV display, plot and report.
Check MOV starting process.

5. Motor Starting Study Exercise
ETAP Workshop Notes ©1996-2009 Operation Technology, Inc. Page 5 of 5
5. Exercise 5: Load Transition
5.1. Set up Load data
Mtr 1: Design -- 100%, Normal – 80%, Winter – 0%.
Mtr 2 & 3: Design -- 100%, Normal – 0%, Winter – 90%.
All Other Motors: Design -- 100%, Normal – 90%, Winter -- 75.
All Static Load: Design -- 100%, Normal – 80%, Winter -- 90.
5.2. Set up Study Case MSCase-4
Using Design Load, No load diversity factor.
Run simulation for 10 Seconds.
Include XFMR LTC in Pre-starting Load Flow, not during simulation.
Acceleration motor model based on Mechanical Load.
Use default settings on Adjustment and Alert Pages. Check all alert options
Use Normal configuration.
Action sequence:
Study Case: MSCase-4
Time Parameter Setting
0.2 second Switch to Normal Load Category
Exclude MV loads >= 5000 kVA
3 second Switch to Winter Load Category
Exclude MV loads >= 1200 kVA
Exclude MV loads >= 1000 kVA
5.3. Run Dynamic Motor Starting with MSCase-4
Check results from OLV display, plot and report.
Check bus load change.
Check if any motors are started or stopped.