The electric motor control products are famously known as motor controllers in the electric industry, a group of devices.
Motor control products are coordinating the performance of the electric motors in a predetermined manner. According to Wikipedia, the prime roles of motor controllers are:
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They offer manual or automatic means of starting and stopping the electric motors of different kinds.
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Motor control products are capable of selecting forward or reverse rotation of motors.
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Motor controllers can determine and regulate the speed of the motor according to the requirements.
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Motor control products can limit or regulate the torque of a motor.
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Finally, & most importantly, motor controllers are empowered to protect the motor devices against electrical faults and power overloads.
Of course, a simple mechanical switch also accomplishing motor starting and stopping like primitive functions. However, they are not for high-voltage motors (Above 30AMP) and similar products. Moreover, we have seen other intricate yet essential functions we anticipate from an advanced electric motor working in a contemporary environment.
It means we have to look for a group of devices in motor control systems. At present, the following types of motor control products are used and available in the Canadian market.
Standard or Basic Motor Starter Equipment for Motor Control
We know small motors running at low voltage current/power need a simple on/off switch with a built-in fuse to operate the motor. We can say such switches DOL (Direct-on-Line) starters, which are manually operated and connects motor terminals directly to the power supply line.
Simple Motor Starters:
Single/one phase motors with below 50HP or 30 AMP are using such DOL starter/switches. They are safe to run on lower load applications, such as water pumps, fans, compressors, and conveyor belts.
Complex Motor Starters:
However, 3-phase squirrel-cage motors and submersible motors used to draw starting power six to seven times greater than the full load current in the main supply. It is only possible with the presence of capacitors and electromechanical connectors in the starter switch.
Reduced Voltage Starters (RVS) Equipment for Motor Control
The aim behind the RVS concept is to start the motor at a slower speed than its full capacity and gradually pull the rate to the maximum power of the motor. It is possible only the start of the motor with a lower voltage at the beginning stage, and a gradual increment in voltage can accomplish it. You can fraction the increments in defined steps. Once the motor reaches its full-load speed, the RVS starter switches to full power at motor terminals.
Two or more connectors help in the reduction and gradual increase of power/voltage in the starter of a motor—the autotransformer or series reactor functions to draw a heavy starting current only for a few seconds. So, the RVS device remains smaller in size than continuous rated RVS equipment.
Adjustable Speed Drives (ASD) & Variable Speed Drives (VSD) Equipment for Motor Control
You might be familiar with switches on your table or ceiling fans. You can run your fans at low, medium, & full speed or increase/decrease the speed in numerical steps. It is possible with a fan regulator using pole pair mechanisms.
In sum, adjustable speed motor drives are working on a fixed-speed-operation concept. A user has room to select the motor speed from pre-set ranges.
Contrary, some motors running conveyor belts or other devices where speed requirements remain variable and based on feedback or workload on the motor and its allied mechanisms. In such cases, we need a variable speed drive to operate the motor in safe modes. The variable speed drive increases the speed of the motor during a massive load requirement. So, it cuts the speed of the motor in lighter load requirements.
Intelligent Controllers (Smart) Equipment for Motor Control
Today, the operations of many electric motors are for complex needs, and such motors also demand two things upfront – Safety & Energy Efficiency.
Fortunately, we have advanced microprocessors to create an intelligent motor controller (IMC) to meet the advanced requirements of the modern industries. So, IMCs are capable of monitoring load on an electric motor and adjust motor torque accordingly using voltage, current, and KVARs.
Such a mechanism offers us auto-control on motors. It provides cost-effective solutions for energy, heat, and safety like critical aspects at a time.
Advanced and Additional Motor Controllers
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Overload Relays are protective devices attached to motor controllers.
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Servo Controllers are performance-boosting devices attached to motor controllers. They are using position feedback to close the motor control loop. Servo motors use brushes.
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Stepper Controllers are for brushless, synchronous, high pole count, and polyphase motors.
Motor Control Products at Surplus Electrical
Surplus Electrical is a hub of B2B customers to get the best bargaining in buying. It is a heaven for auctions of your surplus electrical products in usable conditions. So, you can find a range of motor control products is accessible in new and used states. Let’s see some of the precious Gems here.
Electric Motors
Electric Manual Motor Starters
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SQUARE D 2510FG1 MANUAL MOTOR STARTER 3/4 HP 1 POLE 120 VOLT |
609baw manual starting switch and enclosure size 1 non reversing 3 phase push-button operated |
Variable Speed & Frequency Drives for Motors
Motor Relays & Timers
Smart Motor Controllers
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Motor Safety Controllers
