Eaton Soft Starters

More Information about Eaton Soft Starters

Various Eaton soft starter series meet NEMA standards and are tailored to control motors of diverse sizes and voltages. The combination of performance, durability, and simplicity makes them a cost-effective solution for protecting and controlling motors used in manufacturing, water treatment, HVAC systems, and other delicate applications across a range of industries. Technical support is always just a phone call away, making the soft starter an even more reliable option for performance optimization and problem resolution.

FAQs

Does the price of Eaton soft starters increase with the number of features offered, like current ranges? 

Yes, the price of Eaton soft starters typically increases with the addition of more advanced features, such as wider current ranges and enhanced motor protection capabilities.

Motor Starters, Soft Starters and VFDs

Motor Starters

Motor starters safely start and stop a motor in industrial applications. They are designed with a contactor, overload and circuit protection. They are used when basic motor control is required, where torque on the motor is not a concern and speed control is not needed. The advantages of motor starters include: lower cost, allows for remote operation, allows for monitoring of motor state (with the use of auxiliary contacts) and they are safe and efficient. The disadvantages include: high inrush current that can cause fuses to blow and breakers to trip if the inrush is too high, and the starter will allow a full torque to start the motor which can cause the motor to ramp up to full speed very quickly potentially causing the motor to wear and degrade prematurely.

Soft Starters

Soft starters protect motors from inrush current by gently ramping up the motor to full speed. They provide all of the same functions as a traditional motor starter. The advantages of soft starters include: they are less expensive than a VFD when only startup control is needed, they are a smaller system than a VFD where space is a concern and they prevent unwanted torque upon startup, prolonging the life of the motor. The disadvantages include: they are more expensive than a traditional motor starter and they do not allow for full speed control. 

VFDs

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) allow for the slow ramp up of a motor during startup and the slowing down of the motor during shutdown. They also allow for full speed control during the entire run cycle of the motor. VFDs provide the same functions as both the traditional motor starters and soft starters. The advantages of VFDs include: full speed control (start, stop and in-between), more custom control and monitoring, energy savings due to efficient motor usage and less wear and tear on the motors. The disadvantages include: they are more expensive and larger than other motor control options and they generate heat that may require fans or AC units.