Lovato Soft Starters

More Information about Lovato Soft Starters

The Lovato soft starters are designed and constructed to do one thing: manage the operation of electric motors simply and reliably. They take care of the starting, stopping, and running processes of motors, just as you would want a device to do if it were managing a critical component of your system. Among some of the many features Lovato soft starters offer are: NFC connectivity via smart devices with Lovato NFC App, integrated motor thermal protection, with configurable separate thermal classes for starting and running, two phase control and rated operational voltage of 208-600 VAC.

FAQs

What are the basic functions, auxiliary supply and starting ramp control of Lovato soft starters?

The basic functions of Lovato soft starters include motor protection and smooth starting, with auxiliary supply for control circuits, and starting ramp control that gradually increases voltage to reduce inrush current and mechanical stress on the motor during startup.

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.