Starters for Motors Can Minimize Power Surges

Industrial motors feature mechanical contacts or contactors that can wear out quickly, thus resulting in motor burnout or malfunction in equipment if not maintained properly.  To help eliminate this problem, contactors are now being replaced by starters for motors.

Motor starters provide a smooth startup for heavy-duty motors with a steady current to help minimize power surges.  Soft starters or reduced voltage starters are used to start a motor at a reduced current and gradually increase the voltage as needed.  Since the voltage is controlled and delivered to the motor externally, wear and tear is reduced for the motor, and the risk of power surges and burnouts is greatly reduced as well. 

So the primary benefits of using starters for motors instead of conventional, mechanical contactors are as follows:

- Less maintenance required
- Optimal start-up for motors to receive floor-to-floor times
- Protection against phase loss and extended motor/equipment shutdowns
- Reduction of noise thanks to the elimination of contactors
- Prolonged motor life due to less severe currents for startups

Typical applications that can benefit by using starters for motors include wood chippers, presses, conveyors, mixers, grinders, pumping stations, rock crushers, irrigation systems, snow making machinery and others.  If you operate a facility with industrial motors, consider installing solid state starters for motors to save time and money for future.  These can help eliminate a number of issues caused by high voltage startups, so don't ignore the potential savings these starters can provide.