4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
(OP)
I am trying to source two items:
- 250 HP, 4160V, 3 ph, Ex-prf motor (D1Cl2, F&G), and
- Soft starter for above (does not have to be Ex-prf).
For motors, I have found US Motors, Reliance, GE and Continental.
For Soft Starters, GE, A-B, ABB and Saftronics.
Anyone know of any others out there?
BK
- 250 HP, 4160V, 3 ph, Ex-prf motor (D1Cl2, F&G), and
- Soft starter for above (does not have to be Ex-prf).
For motors, I have found US Motors, Reliance, GE and Continental.
For Soft Starters, GE, A-B, ABB and Saftronics.
Anyone know of any others out there?
BK





RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
(how economical and why) one more new engineer or pretend to be one.
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
Indeed, for the application involved (a conveyor) we see every reason to make it a frequency converter, and have tried to communicate that point.
As you likely know, eng-types are too often outnumbered by bureaucrats, and there are indeed consequences. (We are neither the customer or the project engineer.) We are including a letter with our bid that states that a freq drive might be a better choice, from both a control eng / functional and economic viewpoint. I just hope someone both reads it, and can analyze and act upon it. They might just award it to whomever is lowest bidder, or offers brand names that they are comfortable with. C'est la vie.
BK
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
All of which is a moot point if the analysis is done from a short-term budgetary standpoint.
BK
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
As to VFD vs RVSS, the main reasons are economic to be sure, but not just in the initial 10:1 capital cost ratio (yes it is that much different). If you will NOT be varying the speed, the VFD will cost more to operate as well. Losses on the VFD often offset energy savings when running at speeds over 90%, especially on constant torque loads such as conveyors. If it does not need to vary, gear reduction and soft starting is much more economical and reliable.
The only times a VFD should be considered are when constantly varying speeds will improve the production or efficiency rate of a system, or where starting power is so severely limited that it must be kept at 200% FLA or lower (depending upon loading).
"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
BK
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
http://www.oilfieldelectricmarine.com/laserv.html
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
Generally for conveyor applications tach feedback is recommended. However soft-starting a conveyor has greater risk as it is harder to ensure consistent starting condition. You may request a motor starting study from a MV soft-starter or motor vendor to determine the worst case situation of trying to reduce voltage start a motor with a fully loaded belt (which affects the inertia and load torque profile).
The benefit of using a VFD is that becomes a none issue and you have inherent speed control during production.
Check out www.ab.com/mvb for MV soft-starters and VFD.
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
Coneveyors are high inertia loads and VFDs are not particularly suited for the application.
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
"Just a small correction, AB/Rockwell soft-starters do not have motortronic "guts", we have our own."
Read the post more carefully, I never said they did. I do however appologize for leaving you off the list.
Short education on MV soft starters for everyne else.
There are really only 5 true "manufacturers" of MV soft starters available in North America. Motortronics, Allen-Bradley, Cutler Hammer, Benshaw and Solcon (from Israel). All others (including the one from OEM in Texas who uses Benshaw), are using the electronics from one of those 4, mostly Motortronics. Cutler Hammer used to brand label the Benshaw, but has since switched to their own design, leaving TECO as the only other supplier branding their design. Nobody that I know of brand labels the A-B unit, Solcon is brand labeled by Magnetek and several european names. Aucom in New Zealand supposedly has a design, but has yet to sell one.
Many of the brand label arrrangements offer good value to the end users because they can be easilly incorporated into lineups of new or existing MV switchgear and/or sold as part of a motor/controller/switchgear package where system responsibility can be beneficial. I only brought this up to point out to the OP that there is more to the picture than a single source.
"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
Small correction about OEM in Texas - checking with OEM, was told that electronics from from Altrom - not Benshaw.
Agree with all you other comments
RE: 4160 softstarters and motors (ex-prf)
They used to use the Benshaw starter inside of the GE Limitamp structure. looks like they went their own way too.
I assume you meant Alstom?
"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"