Correct application of soft start and variable speed technology is often poorly understood. Both technologies fulfill their own important yet distinct roles in the field of motor control, and correct selection and application of each is vital in order to realise the full benefit of each and avoid unnecessary expense.

Fixed Speed: Four to One

Sources suggest that nearly 80% of all AC induction motor applications worldwide are in fact fixed speed applications. If an application truly requires speed control, then a variable speed drive is the only choice, however for fixed speed applications, soft starters are typically the ideal selection. Here's three reasons to consider:

The 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar have just drawn to a close after 10 days of intense competition. The Khalifa International Stadium, the main venue for the event, is home to the world's first stadium air conditioning system, as well as 86 AuCom medium voltage panels. Following this successful event, the stadium is set to host a number of matches during the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Learn more about the challenges and options when it comes to starting electric motors to ensure you select the right solution.

The Motor Starting Challenge

Occupying the unique space between electrical and mechanical, a motor both affects and is affected by the electrical supply and the mechanical process it powers.

A poor motor start can cause any number of the following problems, which can be very costly in terms of both time and money, including excessive voltage drop, high starting current, high mechanical stress, high thermal stress and overload of local generation.

Samsung Heavy Industries, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders – is currently undertaking construction of eight ‘Neo-Panamax’ container shipping vessels that will utilise Samsung’s revolutionary SAVER Air lubrication system.

About IPD

IPD has a rich history and a wealth of experience in the Australian market, having served the electrical industry across Australia for more than 60 years. A privately owned company, IPD proudly employs over 160 expert personnel, including an extensive technical sales network and national customer service centre.

IPD have a proven track record and an innovative and extensive range of products ranging from power distribution and protection to control, energy management and renewables. The team at IPD provide added value to customers in Australia with in-house design, estimating and local manufacturing. In addition, they offer a flexible in-house and on-site training program to customers to ensure they get the most out of the products they purchase.

Around the globe, Toyota are well known for being at the forefront of process innovation; setting high standards with a high level of attention to detail. Their newest production facility in the township of Caleras de Amexhe in Guanajuato, México is no exception to this rule. We're proud to say that the AuCom CSXi has passed the Toyota test, with multiple CSXi units already installed at the new facility that is expected to begin full-time production by the end of 2019.

Each vehicle manufactured by Toyota must go through multiple tests before going to the market. One of the most common tests consists of a water shower applied to the outside of the vehicle to verify that there is no ingress of water into the vehicle.

To perform this test, the vehicle is placed in a shower test room which sprays water at constant pressure through a hydraulic spray system divided into three sections: lateral (both sides), upper and lower (as shown in figure 1). Each section has an independent water distribution system, so it is necessary to implement a pumping system for each section.

All our AuCom MVE panels are built to last. For our North American customers, we offer the MVE in a range of NEMA configurations, including NEMA 1, 2, 3R and outdoor rated enclosures.

The MVE medium voltage soft starter has what it takes to handle the demands of your application. But don't just take our word for it; take a look at a few examples of how it's being used in the field:

Eagle #1 Mine, Bolt Mountain, WV.

So confident that this AuCom MVE can withstand whatever harsh conditions the climate of West Virginia can throw at it, the customer has positioned the starter outdoors on nothing more than a solid concrete slab.

The 4.16 kV MVE starter supplied as part of a complete fan package by Pauls Fan Company controls a 500HP fan to circulate air through the mine at Bolt Mountain, West Virginia.

Application: Fans for air supply to mine.
Motor: 500HP, 4160V, 1800 RPM
Customer: Pauls Fan Company
End User: Rockwell, Eagle #1 Mine
Location: Bolt Mountain, WV
Starter Package: MVE-0360-V04-C12-N3R-SPL

As global experts in fixed speed motor control we're committed to providing our customers with world class support. For our team in the UAE, this means offering a maintenance service and 24/7 on-call emergency support to end users to keep their critical systems running smoothly and reliably.