Benshaw Motor Starters
For applications that require dependable motor control, Benshaw motor starters provide reliable motor control solutions. They thrive in severe-duty applications and offer expanded opportunities for use in both low- and medium-voltage environments. Where a standard across-the-line starter may suffice, Benshaw’s full-voltage starters offer increased protection against overloads, shorts, and phase loss. Should a reduction of startup torque or current be required, Benshaw’s reduced-voltage starters can do that job quite nicely, providing the same level of operational protection on the motors they control.
Benshaw motor starters are reliable enough to use in even the most high-stakes industries—like mining and manufacturing—that require almost 100 percent uptime. And if you need a soft start, Benshaw has that covered, too. Its soft starters gradually ramp up voltage, which conserves energy and prevents the kinds of mechanical stresses that can lead to midlife failures in your motors. Overall, Benshaw motor starters are built better and tougher than the competition, ensuring they last in whatever kind of heavy duty environment you've got them in and across a wide range of motor application uses.
More Information about Benshaw Motor Starters
Benshaw manufactures an extensive range of applied motor controls and motor protection products used for motor driven equipment. They are an industry leader in soft starter technology. Their motor starters have a rugged, reliable design. They are likewise ISO-certified and and provide CCC-compliance which means they meet the industry's high standards for safety and quality. They are simple to incorporate into just about any motor control scheme, making them a go-to choice for many of our industrial customers who want to maximize not just the energy efficiency of their motors but also the protection of those motors in both low- and medium-voltage 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.