DRIVES

Soft Starter or AC Variable Frequency Drive?

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SOFT STARTERS

Applications with low or medium starting torque

Lightly or moderately loaded applications

Limiting current is prime reason for starting method

Reduce mechanical wear and damage to system

Power monitoring

Applications with high starting torque

Single-phase applications on certain drives

Speed control during the run mode

Continuous feedback for critical position control

Holding rotor at zero speed

Application, application, application!What does your application require? When choosing between a soft starter and an AC drive, think about:

What are the load torque requirements?

Is speed control needed during the run mode? Is full speed reverse operation needed?

Are there any power distribution considerations or restrictions?

Copyright © Rockwell Automation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Publication 150-SP007A-EN-P –July 2016

M3

Short-Circuit Protection Device

Optional IsolationContactor

Soft Starter

M3

Short-Circuit Protection Device

VariableFrequencyDrive

AC/DC/ACConverter