A Quick Guide to Soft Starters!

Soft starters are well-used in industries and commercial applications, especially for large motors. They provide a means to start and stop electric motors gently by cutting on physical strain that affects machines. The following points will be covered in this guide to soft starters: how they work, the use of soft starter, and for what purpose they are used. So, continue reading below to learn about soft starters in detail.

What is Soft Starters?

A soft starter can be defined as an electronic device employed to reduce load and torque during the starting period of electric motors. A soft starter works by regulating the voltage supplied to the motor and assists in controlling acceleration to prevent mechanical strain and electrical spikes during the motor starting process. This not only helps to increase the working life of the motor but also works towards standardising general energy usage.

What is a Soft Starter for a Motor?

Motor soft starters are used to regulate the effects of high inrush currents and torque, which may have negative effects on the motor in the long run. They increase the frequency of the motor’s rotations as opposed to suddenly kicking the motor into high gear. This gives it a soft start, hence avoiding sudden juts, high electrical spikes, and mechanical strains, and thus makes the soft starters suitable in applications where the motor is frequently started and stopped.

Use of Soft Starter

The primary use of a soft starter is to regulate the amount of voltage provided to an electric motor for an improved starting process. This technology is especially useful for motors heavily utilised in manufacturing facilities, HVAC systems, water treatment plants, and conveyor systems. When it comes to the function of soft starters, they help cut mechanical stress and peak current, which in turn enhances the performance of the motor and hence cuts costs incurred in maintenance and power consumption.

Soft Starter Working Principle

The working process of the soft starter mainly focuses on step-by-step control of voltage delivered to the motor. In a thyristor-based converter, AC supply is fed to the motor through a series of thyristors, which are semiconductors. When starting the motor, the voltage is gradually raised by the soft starter, thus giving the motor the opportunity to pick up speed gradually. When the motor is at its full speed, the soft starter blocks the thyristors and permits full voltage to be supplied to the motor. Here’s a step-by-step look at the soft starter working principle:

• Initial Low Voltage: When the motor is started, the soft starter first applies a small voltage to the motor.
• Gradual Voltage Increase: Slowly, the voltage is increased, and since there is an opposition to the current, the motor gets time to come to full speed and then requires the current.
• Full Voltage Supply: Once the motor gets to the set speed of operations, full voltage is provided by the soft starter, which enhances its performance.

How a Soft Start Works?

The functioning of soft starters is based on the modulation of the electricity supply during the starting process. It is provided instead of a direct burst of electrical current as regulation of that current, where the device steadily increases the power. This minimises the inrush current and torque.

Applications of Soft Starters

The given device is suitable for a wide range of applications in different industries because of its capability to minimise electrical and mechanical stresses in motors. Some common applications of soft starters include:

• Pumps: It is common to find soft starters used within a water treatment plant and irrigation facilities to minimise the effects of ‘Water hammering’ on the pipes and the pumps.

• Fans and Blowers: In HVAC systems, the soft starters enable the management of the airflow in a much more efficient way than it would when it is not used, and this also ensures that the motor is equally protected against sharp changes in load.
• Conveyors: They help in the soft starting of conveyor belts, and hence, there are minimum chances of spilling or straining of the mechanical parts.
• Compressors: Soft starters assist in controlling the start of the compressor to avoid pressure surges, which are dangerous to the system.
• Centrifugal Machines: Due to their large power requirement, these machines are highly sensitive and receive significant value from soft starters as they protect the machines from shock loads which may lead to problems.

Benefits of Soft Starters

• Reduced Mechanical Stress: Through acceleration control, soft starters minimise mechanical pressure, thereby increasing the durability of the equipment in use.
• Lower Energy Consumption: Soft starters are also important as they enable the control of the high peak current levels, which are characteristic of direct motor starting methods, increasing the overall efficiency.
• Enhanced Operational Safety: Some of the inherent benefits of soft starters include current overload, short circuit and phase failure detection, resulting in safer motor operation.
• Cost Savings: The amount of work that has to be done to motors and other related equipment is reduced, and hence, fewer maintenance expenses and time are used, which would otherwise be used in repairing breakdowns. So, the overall soft starter price is quite efficient.

Also Read: What is a Motor Starter and How Does a Motor Starter Work?

Conclusion

Soft starters are an important part of motor control systems in the present-day world and come with the following advantages: reduced mechanical stress on a motor, higher safety, and less energy consumed. Depending on the level of operation and control required, starting from the most fundamental requirements to the most complex ones, soft starters available are versatile with a wide functionality in controlling various applications, coming in handy in industries and commercial establishments.

When looking for the best soft starters, Lauritz Knudsen Electrical and Automation Smartshop is your ultimate destination. A significant reason is the competitive L&T soft starter price list. We supply different types of soft starter products which are reliable and efficient in controlling motor controls. It simply means that investing in the right soft starter to enhance your operations also contributes to increasing the working duration of your equipment while enhancing its usefulness, making it very financially judicious for any organisation. Also, the most reasonable soft starter L&T price makes it much more efficient.