A motor soft starter is a device used with AC electric motors to temporarily reduce the load and

torque in the powertrain of the motor during startup. This reduces the mechanical stress on the
motor and shaft, as well as the electrodynamic stresses on the attached power cables and
electrical distribution network, extending the lifespan of the system.

Motor soft starters can consist of mechanical or electrical devices, or a combination of both.
Mechanical soft starters include clutches and several types of couplings using a fluid, magnetic
forces, or steel shot to transmit torque, similar to other forms of torque limiter. Electrical soft
starters can be any control system that reduces the torque by temporarily reducing the voltage or
current input, or a device that temporarily alters how the motor is connected in the electric
circuit.

Electrical soft starters can utilize solid state devices to control the current flow and therefore the
voltage applied to the motor. They can be connected in series with the line voltage applied to the
motor, or can be connected inside the delta (Δ) loop of a delta-connected motor, controlling the
voltage applied to each winding. Solid state soft starters can control one or more phases of the
voltage applied to the induction motor with the best results achieved by three-phase control.
Typically, the voltage is controlled by reverse-parallel-connected silicon-controlled rectifiers
(thyristors), but in some circumstances with three-phase control, the control elements can be a
reverse-parallel-connected SCR and diode.

Another traditional and the most reliable way to soft start the motor with reduced current is with
the help of series reactor. This method is called as series reactor soft starter, which refers to the
IEC standard 60289. If an air core is used for designing the series reactor then a very efficient
and reliable soft starter can be designed which is suitable for all type of 3 phase induction motor
[ synchronous / asynchronous ] ranging from 25 KW 415 V to 30 MW 11 KV. Using an air core
series reactor soft starter is very common practice for applications like pump, compressor, fan
etc. Usually high starting torque applications do not use this technology for the starting device. A
very famous type of such starters are Harmonics free (due to air core) series reactor soft starter

The robust M200D AS-i Basic motor starter can be

installed outside the control cabinet and close to the
motor thanks to its compact design and high degree of
protection (IP65). This is particularly advantageous for
material handling and conveying where extensive
distributed drive applications are the norm.

The M200D AS-i Basic is available as a direct or

reversing starter for motors and can start them
electronically and mechanically. The wide setting range
up to 5.5 kilowatts permits flexible use of the starter.
The motor starter's electronic overload relay and circuit
breaker protect the motor against overload and short-
circuit.

Moreover, the motor starter offers optional full motor

protection through the evaluation of signals from
temperature sensors mounted on the motor. With the
repair switch, the user can open the circuit breaker and
thus interrupt the current in order to repair the motor.
Diagnostic data such as the equipment status,
asymmetry or overload are passed on to higher-level
systems via the AS-i.

Connecting cables as well as the AS-i are connected to

the motor starter by means of M12 plug-in connectors.
This reduces the amount of wiring during
Simplified diagram of typical starting system
commissioning and facilitates rapid replacement of
equipment. As the interfaces of the M200D AS-i Basic
have been harmonized with the ET 200 pro distributed
I/O system, it can be linked up to ET 200pro motor
starters and frequency converters by means of uniform
plug-in connectors and cabling. The device can be
parameterized locally with the help of four DIP
switches, with which important motor starter functions
can be specified such as activation of the connector-
monitoring function or the evaluation function for
temperature-sensor signals.

As an option, an integrated operator terminal with jog

switch and maintained-contact switches for
deactivating the Quick Stop function or for changing
the operating mode (direct starter versus reversing
starter) are available. The Quick Stop function enables
rapid shutdown of the motor irrespective of bus
runtimes, thus ensuring locally precise, reproducible
stopping of the material being conveyed. Integrated
brake controllers with voltages of 230 V/400 V AC or
180 V DC are also available.

A starter is an electric motor needed to turn over

the engine to start it.
A starter consists of the very powerful DC
electric motor and starter solenoid that is attached
to the motor (see the picture).
A starter motor requires very high current to
crank the engine, that's why it's connected to the
battery with large cables (see lower diagram).
The negative (ground) cable connects "-" battery
terminal to the engine block close to the starter.
The positive cable connects "+" battery terminal
to the starter solenoid.
The starter solenoid works as an electric switch -
when actuated, it closes the circuit and connects
the starter motor to the battery. At the same time,
it pushes the starter gear forward to mesh with
the engine's flywheel.

How the starting system works:

Car starting problems

If when you turn the key to the "Start" position, you hear the starter cranking as usually, but the
car doesn't start, then the problem is most likely not with the starting system - check Car no-start
troubleshooting guide.
If when you turn the ignition key to the "Start" position and nothing happens, or all you hear is
just a click, or the starter cranks very slow then you probably have a problem with one of the
component of the starting system. Most often, it's the battery or the starter motor itself.
If you're looking for detailed repair information for your car, there are couple of websites where
for a fee you can get an access to an online repair manual for your car or truck. Follow these
links:

• Alldata DIY - online automotive diagnostic and repair information

• eAutoRepair - professional service and repair information to automotive enthusiasts.