A comparative study of energy saving benefits in softstarters for three-phase induction motors

Author

Blaabjerg, Frede ; Pedersen, John K. ; Rise, Sraren ; Hansen, Hans-Henrik

Author_Institution

Aalborg Univ., Denmark

Volume

1

fYear

1995

fDate

8-12 Oct 1995

Firstpage

367

Abstract

Modern soft-starters have both soft-starter capability and energy saving functions which are special useful when the motor runs at low load. This paper investigates modern soft-starters for induction motors at three different power levels (3 kW, 7.5 kW and 22 kW). The investigation includes efficiency measurements, start-up measurements and measurement of the grid current harmonics at different loads to investigate the soft-starters performance against new regulations. The measurements are compared with an induction motor without soft-starters. It is concluded soft-starters have energy saving capabilities at low load up to 4% of rated power for small motors, but it is also concluded the payback time will be long. Finally, it is concluded soft-starters have problems with new grid disturbance regulations at low load operation

Keywords

energy conservation; induction motors; load (electric); machine testing; machine theory; power consumption; power system harmonics; starting; 22 kW; 3 kW; 7.5 kW; efficiency measurements; energy saving benefits; grid current harmonics; grid disturbance; low load operation; payback time; performance; regulations; soft-starters; start-up measurements; three-phase induction motors; Current measurement; Electric motors; Energy management; Frequency conversion; Induction motors; Modems; Rotors; Testing; Topology; Voltage control;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Industry Applications Conference, 1995. Thirtieth IAS Annual Meeting, IAS '95., Conference Record of the 1995 IEEE

Conference_Location

Orlando, FL

ISSN

0197-2618

Print_ISBN

0-7803-3008-0

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IAS.1995.530323

Filename

530323