Which components are typically found in a motor starter assembly?

• A. Transformer, fuse block, and timer
• B. A contactor, overload protection, and control wiring
• C. A relay coil, pushbutton, and capacitor
• D. Contactor, transformer, and EMI filter

Answer: (B)

A motor starter is built to safely start and protect a motor by providing both a switching device and a protection/ control path. The essential trio is a contactor to actually switch the motor on and off, overload protection to sense overcurrent or overheating and trip the circuit to protect the windings, and control wiring to carry the control signals from start/stop devices to energize the contactor coil. This combination covers the power path and the control path in a typical starter. Other items like a transformer, timers, or capacitors may appear in specific systems, but they’re not the standard core components of a motor starter assembly.