The start-hold-stop circuit is the most fundamental self-locking control circuit in industrial electrical control. Its core function is to trigger equipment operation via a start button, cut off operation via a stop button, and enable the equipment to keep running even after the start button is released. It is widely used in the standalone control of devices such as motors, pumps, and fans. Combined with the previously mentioned Schneider LC1E180M5N contactor, this document provides a complete circuit design, wiring, and commissioning solution.
- Composition of Core Components
Taking three-phase motor control as an example, the start-hold-stop circuit needs to be equipped with the following components:
| Nome del componente | Model/Specification | Function |
| Air Circuit Breaker | Three-phase, corrente nominale > 1.2 times the motor’s rated current | Short-circuit and overload protection for the main circuit; main power switch |
| Contattore CA | Schneider LC1E180M5N (coil voltage: 220V e) | Controls the on-off of the main circuit; realizes low-voltage control of high-voltage |
| Relè di sovraccarico termico | Schneider LR-E series (matched with the contactor) | Motor overload protection; prevents winding burnout |
| Start Button | LA series normally open (NO) button | Triggers contactor pull-in; starts the motor |
| Stop Button | LA series normally closed (NC) button | Cuts off the contactor coil circuit; stops the motor |
| Three-Phase Motor | Squirrel-cage asynchronous motor | Controlled load |
- Working Principle
- Logica fondamentale
Start and Self-Locking: Press the start button → the contactor coil is energized → the main contacts close and the motor runs; at the same time, the contactor auxiliary normally open contacts close, replacing the start button to keep the coil energized (self-locking), so the motor continues to run after the start button is released.
Stop and Unlocking: Press the stop button → the coil circuit is disconnected → the main contacts and auxiliary normally open contacts open simultaneously, il motore si ferma, and the self-locking is released; the motor can only restart by pressing the start button again.
- Protection Logic
Short-Circuit Protection: When the current in the main circuit is excessively high, the air circuit breaker trips instantaneously.
Overload Protection: When the motor is overloaded, the normally closed contacts of the thermal overload relay open, cutting off the coil circuit, the contactor releases, and the motor shuts down.
III. Wiring Steps (Taking LC1E180M5N Contactor as an Example)
- Cablaggio del circuito principale (Three-Phase High-Voltage Circuit)
The main circuit is responsible for supplying power to the motor. Wiring sequence: Power Supply → Circuit Breaker → Contactor Main Contacts → Thermal Overload Relay → Motor
| Component Terminal | Connection Relationship | Operation Points |
| Circuit Breaker Outlet Terminals | L1, L2, L3 | Connect three-phase power supply; ensure correct phase sequence |
| Contactor Main Contact Inlets | L1, L2, L3 (upper end of the contactor) | Connect one-to-one with the circuit breaker outlet terminals |
| Contactor Main Contact Outlets | T1, T2, T3 (lower end of the contactor) | Connect to the inlet terminals of the thermal overload relay |
| Thermal Overload Relay Outlet Terminals | Corresponding terminals | Connect to the three-phase wiring terminals (U, V, W) of the motor |
| Motor Housing | PE grounding wire | Must be reliably grounded to prevent leakage |
- Cablaggio del circuito di controllo (220V AC Low-Voltage Circuit)
The control circuit is responsible for controlling the on-off of the contactor coil. The coil voltage is 220V AC (coil parameter of LC1E180M5N). Wiring sequence: Control Power Supply → Stop Button → Start Button → Thermal Overload Relay Normally Closed Contacts → Contactor Coil → Self-Locking Contacts → Power Supply Neutral Line
Specific Wiring Steps
- Take one phase of live wire (per esempio., L1) and neutral line N from the three-phase power supply as the control circuit power supply (220V e).
- Connect the live wire end to one end of the stop button’s normally closed contact (NC), and connect the other end of the stop button to one end of the start button’s normally open contact (NO).
- Connect the other end of the start button to one end of the thermal overload relay’s normally closed contact, and connect the other end of the thermal overload relay’s normally closed contact to the contactor coil terminal A1.
- Connect the contactor auxiliary normally open contacts (per esempio., 13-14) in parallel across the start button terminals (to achieve self-locking): connect auxiliary normally open contact 13 to the common terminal of the stop button and start button, and connect contact 14 to the common terminal of the thermal overload relay normally closed contact and A1.
- Connect the contactor coil terminal A2 to the power supply neutral line N.
- Precauzioni di sicurezza
- Power-Off Operation: Prima del cablaggio, must disconnect the power supply of the main circuit and control circuit, and use a test pencil to confirm no voltage exists.
- Button Selection: The stop button must adopt normally closed contacts, and priority should be given to red mushroom-head buttons (emergency stop), which should be installed in an easily accessible position.
- Self-Locking Contacts: Must use the contactor’s own auxiliary normally open contacts; it is prohibited to use other components as substitutes, otherwise self-locking cannot be achieved.
- Wire Diameter Selection: The cross-sectional area of the control circuit wire should be ≥1.0mm²; the main circuit wire should be selected according to the motor current (per esempio., select 4mm² copper core wire for an 18A motor).
- Grounding Protection: The motor housing and contactor metal frame must be reliably grounded to prevent leakage and electric shock.
- Commissioning Steps
- Wiring Inspection
Check whether the phase sequence of the main circuit is correct, and whether the control circuit wiring conforms to the sequence of “Stop → Start → Thermal Overload Relay → Coil → Self-Locking”.
Use a multimeter to measure the control circuit: when the start button is pressed, there should be continuity between A1 and A2 (220V e); continuity should remain after releasing the button (self-locking is effective); the circuit should disconnect when the stop button is pressed.
- No-Load Test (Disconnect Motor Wiring)
Close the circuit breaker; the power indicator light turns on.
Press the start button → the contactor pulls in (con a “clic” sound), the auxiliary contacts realize self-locking, and the contactor remains pulled in.
Press the stop button → the contactor releases, and the motor stops.
Simulate overload test: manually press the test button of the thermal overload relay → the contactor should release immediately.
- Load Test
Connect the motor wiring properly and close the circuit breaker.
Press the start button; the motor starts smoothly without abnormal noise; it continues to run after releasing the button.
Press the stop button; il motore si ferma; it can start normally again.
- Common Fault Troubleshooting
| Fenomeno di guasto | Possibili cause | Soluzioni |
| Contactor does not pull in when the start button is pressed | 1. No power supply in the control circuit | 1. Check whether the live wire and neutral line are connected |
| 2. Poor contact of the stop button/thermal overload relay contacts | 2. Short-circuit the stop button/thermal overload relay contacts for testing | |
| 3. Coil damage | 3. Use a multimeter to measure the coil resistance (normally about several hundred ohms) | |
| Contactor releases immediately after releasing the start button | 1. Poor connection of auxiliary normally open contacts | 1. Check whether the wiring of self-locking contacts is loose |
| 2. Damage to auxiliary contacts | 2. Replace the contactor auxiliary contact module | |
| Motor cannot stop when the stop button is pressed | 1. Short circuit of the stop button | 1. Replace the stop button |
| 2. Welding of self-locking contacts | 2. Overhaul or replace the contactor main contacts/auxiliary contacts | |
| Thermal overload relay trips frequently after the motor starts | 1. Motor overload | 1. Check whether the motor load is too heavy |
| 2. Excessively low setting current of the thermal overload relay | 2. Adjust the setting current of the thermal overload relay to 1.1 times the motor’s rated current |
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