Optimizing electrical motor control for a wood grinder application using Reduced Voltage Soft Starters

Most common used method of starting large medium voltage induction motors is Reduced Voltage Soft Starts (RVSS). The paper will present an application example and will describe some of the challenges encountered when controlling electrical motor speed for maximum energy savings. For better understanding the challenges that practitioners face on site, a real life application was analyzed. A waste management facility integrated in their recycling flow a wood grinder controlled by a RVSS. Two electrical motors drive the wood grinder. Depending on the flow of material the grinder is driven by one 250 HP electrical motor or by two same size motors working together.