Soft Starters are used in conjunction with electrical motors to alleviate the mechanical and electrical stress resulting from sharp rise in torque and sudden inrush current. Shielding the system from the latter in particular can extend the motor’s lifetime while preventing damage to the cables, shaft, and distribution network.

Soft starters are essential pieces of equipment for motor control that are cost-effective and time-savers. Most are used for fan and pump controls, but some applications can be unique to a particular problem.  

Solcon’s DriveStart is an IGBT-based medium voltage soft starter designed for applications that have a higher starting torque requirement and need a low starting current. The soft starter is able to bring down costs related to operations thanks to its robust design. When compared to a medium voltage VFD, the starter is much more economical and provides the same number of features.

It's important to make sure motors can function properly, and electronic brakes are one method that keeps them working smoothly. The Solbrake, a DC Injection Brake by Solcon, is capable of bringing three-phase AC motors to a smooth stop through the controlled transmission of DC current into the motor’s windings. After the AC current has been cut off, the DC current injected into the motor’s windings builds up a stationary magnetic field that provides braking torque.

As cost-effective and time-saving devices, soft starters are essential pieces of equipment for motor control. Most are used in plants with older motors and fan or pump controls, but some applications can be unique to a specific problem.  

Dubbed Solcon’s most advanced soft starter, the iStart is an advanced low voltage soft starter rated at 17–1100 Amps, 208–690 Volts. It is designed to provide optimal performance during motor starts and stops so that top-tier performance can be guaranteed for all connected appliances.

Solcon’s HRVS-DN is a high-end, heavy-duty, microprocessor controlled Medium Voltage Soft Starter designed for asynchronous and synchronous motors. The soft starter is optimal for applications that require fluid acceleration/deceleration and elimination of mechanical shocks.

The HRVS-DN has been designed to meet all relevant IEC standards, as well as regulations falling under ISO 9001:2000. The medium and low voltage compartments are completely isolated from each other, and each starter undergoes a partial discharge test as per EN 50178/625.1. Both starting/stopping characteristics are unique and can be supplemented with power factor contactors upstream to the contactor.

Three-phase AC induction motors have become a norm in almost every industry due to their wide number of applications. However, directly connecting them to the power source is not an option due to their unique starting characteristics. A direct start can cause a huge surge current to flow into the motor—almost 6 times its rated capacity. This can put strain on the supply lines as well as the motor’s internal structure.

In order to eliminate this problem, several methods have been created throughout the years—some involving autotransformers, some reactors, and so on. Modern electrical and electronics components have produced a comprehensive solution to all kinds of motor-starting problems known as soft starters.