Within the framework of the department’s cooperation agreement with “SV Altera Kyiv” LLC, the stand “Research of the mechanical characteristics of a DC motor with sequential excitation” was modernized. The stand is located in the laboratory of electric drive basics #208-22 and is used by students of groups OA, OE, ON during study discipline “Electric drive”. In operation, the DC motor under study with serial excitation is powered by regulated voltage from the “Generator – motor” system. An asynchronous motor with a capacity of 7.5 kW is used as the drive motor of the generator. Before the modernization, the method of direct starting from the automatic switch was used to start this engine, which led to mechanical shocks in the electric drive system and load on the electrical network. The partner of the department, “SV Altera Kyiv” LLC, provided equipment for the smooth start of an asynchronous motor, namely a new automatic switch, a contactor for switching power circuits, as well as an electronic semiconductor starter of the ADXL series from the Italian company Lovato Electric. Docent A.V. Toropov the switching circuit of the semiconductor starter was assembled, configured for operation and installed in the laboratory. The initial start-up of the installation took place in the presence of auxiliary staff and students of the department.