Energy storage water pump soft start control

Why are soft starters becoming the control of choice for centrifugal pumping systems?

Electronic starting and stopping of the pump motor is cost-effective and reduces surges or hammering problems. Here, Stuart Greenwood, product marketing manager for industrial control and automation at Eaton, explains why soft starters are becoming the control of choice for centrifugal pumping systems.

What is a soft starter controller?

The soft starter controllers continue to reduce the torque of the pump motor to ensure there are no sudden changes in flow that can cause hammering. Soft starter controllers with a pump control option produce the most desirable flow characteristics when starting and stopping centrifugal pump motors.

What is a soft starter?

SAF’s reduced voltage starters are designed for the unique challenges of pump applications of today’s clean water and wastewater pump applications. Soft starters play a key role in powering motors in various applications ranging from deep well pumps, vertical lift stations, aerators, grinders and clarifiers.

How to start and stop a pump?

There are three methods of starting and stopping a pump – direct on-line (DOL), solid-state reduced voltage (SSRV) starting and soft starter controllers with pump control option. The main concern with DOL starting is that the motor torque output more than exceeds the requirement of the pump during the start cycle.

What are soft start and Soft Stop features?

SAF’s soft start and soft stop features reduce hydraulic and mechanical effects of inertial loading and water hammer on pumps, piping and mechanical components including shafts, impeller keyways, bearings, heat exchangers and check valves.

What is a SAF soft starter?

SAF soft starters offer accurate overload protection, current monitoring and high torque surge protection for electrical and mechanical equipment. Reduced torque starting helps lower maintenance costs of motors and their driven equipment while lowering costly peak power draw on startup and reducing voltage drops.