Monday 6 December 2010

Smart soft starters optimise energy use

Carlo Gavazzi is introducing three new ranges of soft-starters designed to optimise energy consumption in industrial applications. The RSQK, RSXK and RSDR series’ provide soft-starting capability for three-phase motors up to 1050kW, with high-end models offering intelligent plug-and-play setup to ensure optimal starting profiles.

Automatic features such as auto end start/stop, soft stop smoothing auto pedestal are built into the RSQK and RSXK soft-starters. They continually adjust their settings to optimise operation, saving time and money in maintenance as well as commissioning.

RSQK series starters are rated for motor currents from 23 to 1800A at operating voltages 230 -460/400-575/500-690 VAC, whilst the RSXK is rated 5-1673A, 230-690VAC. Soft-starting/soft-stopping time is adjustable up to 255s, ensuring that even the toughest applications can be started and stopped in the correct manner.

Both RSQK and RSXK soft starters can control heavy duty loads (Trip Class 30) such as crushers. A user-friendly soft starter selection tool provides a quick and easy selection of the correct configuration for any particular application. In addition, they have pre-set starting and stopping parameters specifically for pump applications, which reduce water hammering by making start and stop actions as smooth as possible.

In addition, the RSQK provides an inductive load feature, which controls voltage across the transformer winding to ensure the transformer stays within current limits throughout the heating cycle.

For smaller motors, the new RSDR series offers power ratings up to 280kW. Maximum current ratings range from 55 to 500A. As well as over current and short-circuit protection, the RSDR has internal bypassing to reduce heat dissipation in tight control panels.

The RSDR soft starters provide ramp- up time setting capabilities starting from 0.5s, making them suitable for applications where start up time needs to be limited. Ramp- up and -down times can be set up to 30s, ensuring reliable soft-starting and stopping to deliver smoother start-up and shutdown of high inertia applications. Front-panel dimensions range from 135 x 140mm 203 x 165mm, providing space-saving solutions with high power capability.

Set up is simple through rotary controls on the RSDR front panel.  Two normally-open auxiliary relay contacts are provided for indication of top-of-ramp status and fault alarms.

As well as new applications where soft-starting is deployed inline to ensure lower inrush current, lower peak-demand energy costs and longer compressor lifetimes, these three new series’ offer easy replacement of star-delta starters. Their six-wire connection option means that there is no need to change the wiring configuration, providing a lower cost alternative with reduced maintenance requirements, lower down-times and less stress on auxiliary components.

All the new devices are IP20 protected against dust and moisture ingress up to 55kW, operate over the 0-40°C temperature range and carry UL certification and CE markings.

No comments:

Post a Comment