Abstract: In a device for starting an AC load powered by an AC generator and designed so that, prior to starting the load, the magnetic circuit of the generator is saturated to prevent an abrupt large drop of terminal voltage thereof when starting the load, and that in this state the load is started. A starting device comprising a coil for saturating the magnetic circuit of the generator and a starter coil both of which are wound in a same direction around a common closed magnetic path to couple these two coils magnetically, and operative so that, after saturating the magnetic circuit of the generator by the saturating coil, the connections of the two coils are switched over to start the load, and that by the reverse voltage induced in the starter coil by the energized saturating coil, the surge current which is produced, when the load is started, at the time of switching the coil connections is suppressed.