What is a Soft Starter? (For Absolute Beginners)

▶ Check out the full blog post over at

=============================
In this video, we are going to discuss the “Soft Starter” method amongst all other motor starting methods and we will cover the rest of methods in future videos.

Since Electric Motors often require large amounts of electricity during their accelerating to the nominal speed, a Soft Starter can be used to limit the surge of current known as “inrush current” and torque of the electric motors, resulting in a safer, smoother and gradual start-up.

Soft starters will protect your electric motor from possible damage and at the same time extend the lifespan of your electric motor and the whole system by declining the heating caused by frequent start/stops, reducing the mechanical stress on the motor, its shaft, and reducing the electrodynamic stresses on the power cables.

One example of this is an Air Scrubber or Dust Collector.
These will have large fans inside.

In this application, it will take some time to get the fan moving but once the fan is moving the current and torque load on the motor is reduced.

In the system, the fan will pull air into filters where dust particles are collected. Then the clean air is pushed back to the factory.

Water supply applications are another great use for soft starters.
When using pumps in a process you have to bring them up slowly. If not you will cause pressure surges in the water system that could lead to dangerous conditions.

The soft starter can be controlled either by a direct start/stop wiring or, it can be controlled over ethernet. Both control methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

Direct start/stop signals would not require a PLC. They would be less expensive. Using ethernet control, a PLC is required.

This will allow there to be feedback, which will give adjustable control and monitoring capabilities.

The main component of a soft starter is a Triac which is designed to limit the applied voltage to the motor.

Triac consists of two back-to-back Thyristors or SCRs. When an internal pulse is applied to its gate it allows current to flow which then sends current out to our motor.

The pulses are sent based on ramp time so the current will be slowly applied to the motor. This will allow our motor to start slowly reducing torque and inrush current.

When the motor reaches full speed the soft starter and DOL work the same. The difference is how they act while getting to full speed.

When comparing the voltage between a DOL starter versus a Soft Starter, we can see that there is a direct in rush of voltage on the DOL where the Soft Starter takes more time to get up to full voltage.

The current is more regulated using a soft starter. With a DOL there will be larger spikes in current as the motor starts.

With a soft starter, the time the motor gets us to speed is slower and more controlled.

Our Air Scrubber fan will be driven by a motor using belts and pulleys. Using a DOL can cause the belts to slip and wear.

With our water supply example, the DOL will cause pressure surges on the water lines. This can cause excessive wear which could lead to line breaks.

There are also electrical effects that we want to avoid by using a soft starter. The heavy current surges that a DOL can cause, can burn out contacts and motors.

=============================

Missed our most recent videos? Watch them here:

=============================

To stay up to date with our last videos and more lessons, make sure to subscribe to this YouTube channel:

=============================

=============================

#RealPars #SoftStarter #VFD

[codek]

I'm planning a whole house backup generator which includes running my 3 ton Air Conditioner. The problem WAS my AC was blowing my budget because it would require an 8000 watt minimum generator to handle the initial startup of the unit. I found this soft starter and installed it on my AC (took about 10min.) and now I can run my entire house on a 3500 watt generator. Saved me $$

[ardentdfender]

The love and appreciation for the team that makes and delivers these videos can be difficult to really convey because it’s highly regarded, so as well is the person narrating the videos. I worked for years as a Tech in the Utility Plant Environment around many equipment with Soft-starters as well VFD’s and never quite understanding properly quite how they worked in a properly explained way like explained by RealPars. I feel so much appreciation from the care taken to make these videos in explanation in demystifying industrial automation understanding. I’m so much smarter because I’m here!

[someoneelse]

Congratulations the best industrial chanel in youtube.

[MrFernandoBedoya]

I am learning a lot watchig RealPars videos. No teacher explains the concepts, components and basic theories as this channel. Thanks a million!

[aquibissa]

The graphics and the explanation used to explain this is is i guess the easiest to understand and apply ... Love this platform 👍

[mohamadalikardi]

thanks realpars you're my favorite education channel on YouTube ❤❤❤

[FakeAccount]

Your videos are really high quality, thanks for the upload, you're a very nice person!

[tickmcm]

It is a professional explaining and clearly. Thank you very much for your efforts

[smidi]

First time subscriber, im really impressed by your videos and explanations. Straight to the point. Bravo👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.
Thank you 🙏.

[francoismicheaux]

Thank you very much, I am new at this, I enjoy the explanations and graphics you share.

[namangoku]

This Team makes automation faster and easier than i ever thought possible!

[emmanuelsanusi]

Thank you RealPars !!! You are the best !!!

[techworld]

Always superb, good explanations, examples, explanation methods good. I expect more videos for PLC RELATED.. THANK YOU.

[mostafafaramin]

Thanx Realpars for great videos. This Is Real Pars ...

[winblazes]

This channel is really helpful for me as a graduate electrical engineer. Would love to see more industrial videos. Thank you! Keep it up👍

[javierferrer]

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing.

[thieungonguyen]

That is easy to get more knowledge. Really receptive and visual images. Thank!

[ervinsolano]

Very usefull information, and very easy to understand!!!
Congrats

[nareshdadi]

Very informative..
Thanks for your clear explanation.

[llVIU]

I've used youtube since 2005, I've subscribed to hundreds of channels... but I only clicked the bell button on this one because the animation is great, the voice is great, the way it teaches is great, and most of all, it talks about devices that are actually relevant to the industry, including high-tech modern devices. Can't say the same about my university... learning about analogue meters. Jesus christ, what is this, 1950? Imagine having an interview and you get to teach the interviewer about the most modern up-to-date tech... that's a big deal. Managers don't want to employ guys that they have to teach... but it's great if the manager has someone who can teach HIM.