Inverter Drive - Soft Starter
Voltages up to 13.8kV
Start Power up to 20MW
Starting Motors:
up to 50000kW & larger
Taking Variable Frequency Drives to a new level of applications
The DriveStart is the first of its kind IGBT based Medium Voltage Soft Starter, optimized for applications that require low starting current and/or a high starting torque. The cutting-edge design results in significant savings in costs, energy and space while meeting high demand application requirements.
When compared to a Medium Voltage Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), Solcon's new DriveStart provides Soft Start and Soft Stop features at a significantly lower price, with at least a 50% reduction in space requirements and a considerable decrease in energy waste and operational costs. Traditionally, a VFD (variable frequency drive) is used even if its full functionality of motor speed and/or torque control during steady state operation is unnecessary. The DriveStart was developed specifically for these types of applications; thus, being able to supply our customers with a product that alleviates the need to spend more than necessary on solutions that exceed their needs.
New Generation IGBT based - DriveStart
Consistent with our existing DriveStart, the second generation - DriveStart2 is also built to save operational costs with its Keep it safe and simple design leading to record-low maintenance requirements, boosted by the Blue Box logic system and its user-friendly touch screen display that is an enormous time saver during commissioning.
Click here to see some DriveStart project examples.
The IGBT based – Variable frequency drive (designed and manufactured by Solcon) starts (unlike direct online soft starters) at a low frequency and low voltage, then it increases both voltage and frequency, to start with a very low motor current, typically significantly less than the rated motor current.
The DriveStart works just like an inverter. It starts at a low frequency and low voltage, then it increases both the voltage and the frequency, to start with a very low motor current, typically significantly less than the rated motor current.
Industries worldwide have been benefitting from, our vast experience of designing and manufacturing systems that optimize the start of large electric motors under even the most severe conditions, the value that we create for our customers is unsurpassed, and with DriveStart, Solcon presents a unique and innovative standard product that provides a superior alternative to Reduced Voltage starting.
Designed for use with standard medium voltage, three-phase, squirrel cage induction motors, this high-performance digital Soft Starter ensures smooth acceleration and deceleration.
DriveStart is designed and manufactured at the highest quality level, and meet international standards including: • IEC • EN • DIN VDE • NEMA • UL/CUL • IEEE
Both the DriveStart and the DriveStart2 are optimised for all applications that require a low starting current while maintaining highest possible torque:
For a Low Starting Current and a High Torque
DriveStart provides the following benefits:
- Dramatically Reduce mains starting current.
- Mains Current, for starting of unloaded motor can be as low as 10% of rated current.
- Starting of loaded motor can be typically done with lower than rated current.
- Eliminates voltage drops and dips of the supply network
- Smoother acceleration of loads, eliminates process or product damage
- Starts motors at their nominal current or lower
- Heavy duty starting of high torque mill applications
- Standard motor windings possible, no special insulation needed - ideal for retrofit!
Saving Costs, Energy and Space
This DriveStart range of products is designed specifically with cost reduction in mind:
Invest:
- Direct investment is largely reduced compared to the full power VFD
- Using a multi-start system design when there is more than one motor expands Capex saving further
- Less generating capacity needed due to lower starting current
- Smaller upstream transformers due to lower current
- Easy set-up saves commissioning costs
Operational Costs:
- low maintenance efforts
- Lower energy consumption when compared with a VFD run operation at high power demand
- Competitive compact footprint leads to savings in building costs
- No more peak network demand during starting helps to stay in lower tariff zones with your electrical energy utility
- Using a multi-start system design when there is more than one motor expands Capex saving further
- Less generating capacity needed due to lower starting current
- Smaller upstream transformers due to lower current
- Easy set-up saves commissioning costs