- Home » News » Product News
Comms system simplifies motor starter installations
Eaton has developed a multi-function electronic motor starter which offers integrated control via its SmartWire-DT communication and connection technology. It says that the combination will make it easier and faster to connect starters to automation environments, as well as minimising wiring.
The development is based on Eaton’s EMS starter which spans ratings up to 3kW in two sizes and integrates all of the important functions of a reversing contactor – DOL motor starting, reverse motor starting, and motor protection to IEC 60947-4-1 – in a single 30mm-wide device. It also provides safety-related stopping to Cat 3 (EN 13849-1).
Adding a SmartWire-DT connection to the starter eliminates the need for the control cables that usually connect a starter to a PLC at the I/O level. The starters can communicate directly with Eaton PLCs.
The starters are said to have a lifespan of 30 million switching operations – ten times longer than purely mechanical devices. The low-wear switching is achieved using a microprocessor-controlled hybrid technology of wear-free semiconductors and robust relays.
The starters offer electronic overload protection with phase failure detection to IEC 60947. The overload protection is implemented using two tripping classes. For motor currents up to 4A, the slower Class 10 characteristic allows the motor to be switched on frequently without tripping. For higher currents, Class 10A tripping is used.
