NAE Soft Starters
The NAE soft starter has been designed to provide efficient control of electric motors when they start. It does this by ramping the voltage up and ensuring that it never exceeds the maximum of the normal "run" condition. This means that if the motor experiences any sort of stall condition during startup, it will not have the same mechanical or electrical stress put upon it that it would have if a standard across-the-line starter had been used. This is crucial not just for the motor in question, but also for the connected equipment; mechanical stress on either the motor or the load is bad news.
NAE soft starters guarantee efficient performance for high-torque applications like pumps, conveyors, and fans. They ensure "direct start-free" conditions, which helps in protecting the motor at startup. The net effect of these two advantages is that the soft starters almost pay for themselves through energy savings. They minimize energy lost in the starting process and maximize energy efficiency at the same time.
Products
FAQs
Do NAE soft starters offer tailored solutions for controlling motor speed in specific motors?
Yes, NAE soft starters offer tailored solutions for controlling motor speed in specific motors, ensuring smooth acceleration and optimized performance for various industrial applications.
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.