Precise Selection and Supporting Solutions for Soft Starters/Variable Frequency Drives for Four Core Scenarios (Water Pumps/Fans/Compressors/Machine Tools)
All solutions below are centered on Schneider’s mainstream models (adapted to the mainstream demands of industrial sites), organized by scenario-based selection logic + core equipment models + main/control circuit supporting components + scenario-specific notes. All specifications are ready-to-implement and can be directly used for equipment procurement and electrical cabinet fabrication.
- Water Pump Scenario (Industrial Water Supply/Water Supply and Drainage/Circulating Pumps)
Core Selection Logic
– For constant-speed water supply/only shock prevention during start-stop (예를 들어, municipal constant-pressure make-up water pumps, cooling tower circulating pumps): Select a soft starter to solve the problems of starting current impact and pipeline water hammer effect at a low cost;
– For constant-pressure water supply/water pressure adjustment on demand (예를 들어, secondary water supply in residential quarters, industrial variable-frequency water supply): Select a variable frequency drive (VFD) to realize closed-loop water pressure regulation, save 20%-50% 에너지, and avoid overpressure/undervoltage of the pipe network.
Recommended Mainstream Models
| 전력 범위 (400다섯) | Soft Starter for Constant Speed (Schneider ATS480) | VFD for Constant Pressure (Schneider ATV) | Adapted Pump Types |
| 7.5-45kW | ATS480D17Y~ATS480D88Y | ATV320U07N4~ATV320U45N4 | Small centrifugal pumps/self-priming pumps |
| 55-250kW | ATS480C11Y~ATS480C48Y | ATV610U55N4~ATV610C25N4 | Medium centrifugal pumps/pipe pumps |
| 315-560kW | ATS480C59Y~ATS480C79Y | ATV930C31N4~ATV930C56N4 | Large industrial centrifugal pumps/deep well pumps |
Complete Supporting Solutions (Taking a 55kW Water Pump as an Example)
Constant Speed (Soft Starter Solution)
주회로: TeSys GV3 Circuit Breaker (GV3ME80) → ATS480C11Y Soft Starter → TeSys LC1D Contactor (LC1D80M7C, for bypass) → Motor
제어 회로: RXM Miniature Relay (RXM2LB2BD) + Liquid Level Transducer/Pressure Switch + 서지 보호기 (PRD10r)
Constant Pressure (VFD Solution)
주회로: TeSys GV3 Circuit Breaker (GV3ME80) → ATV610U55N4 VFD → Motor
제어 회로: Pressure Transmitter (XMLP060D2101, 4-20엄마) + PLC (TM3 Series) + 서지 보호기 (PRD20r)
Scenario-Specific Notes
- When a soft starter is selected for water pumps, enable the soft stop function (정지 시간: 5-10에스) to completely eliminate water hammer;
- VFDs for constant-pressure water supply must be configured with the PID regulation function and bound to a pressure transmitter to realize automatic closed-loop water pressure control;
- For submersible pumps, enable the submersible pump protection function in the VFD to prevent dry running of the motor due to lack of liquid.
- Fan Scenario (Axial Fans/Centrifugal Fans/Boiler Induced Draft Fans)
Core Selection Logic
For constant-speed operation (예를 들어, 보일러 유도 통풍 팬, plant exhaust fans, 냉각탑 팬): Select a soft starter to solve the wind resistance impact during fan startup and avoid power grid fluctuations;
For air volume adjustment on demand (예를 들어, 중앙 에어컨 팬, blast furnace blast fans, environmental dust removal fans): Select a VFD to adjust speed based on temperature/pressure/flow signals, 절약 30%-60% 에너지 (fan load is proportional to the cube of speed, making speed regulation the most effective energy-saving method).
Recommended Mainstream Models
| 전력 범위 (400다섯) | Soft Starter for Constant Speed (Schneider ATS480) | VFD for Air Volume Adjustment (Schneider ATV) | Adapted Fan Types |
| 7.5-45kW | ATS480D17Y~ATS480D88Y | ATV320U07N4~ATV320U45N4 | 소형 축류 팬 |
| 55-250kW | ATS480C11Y~ATS480C48Y | ATV610U55N4~ATV610C25N4 | Centrifugal fans/boiler induced draft fans |
| 315-560kW | ATS480C59Y~ATS480C79Y | ATV930C31N4~ATV930C56N4 | Large blast furnace blast fans/dust removal fans |
Complete Supporting Solutions (Taking a 75kW Boiler Fan as an Example)
Constant Speed (Soft Starter Solution)
주회로: TeSys GV7 Circuit Breaker (GV7RE100) → ATS480C14Y Soft Starter → TeSys LC1D115M7C (Bypass Contactor) → Motor
제어 회로: Temperature Transducer (PT100) + Intermediate Relay + 서지 보호기 (PRD10r)
Air Volume Adjustment (VFD Solution)
주회로: TeSys GV7 Circuit Breaker (GV7RE100) → ATV610U75N4 VFD → Motor
제어 회로: Flow Transmitter (4-20엄마) + Siemens PLC S7-200SMART + 제동 장치 (VW3A7801, for fan deceleration braking)
Scenario-Specific Notes
- Fans are light-load startup equipment; soft starters/VFDs can be selected according to the rated current of the motor without derating;
- For variable-frequency air volume adjustment, set a minimum speed limit (generally ≥30Hz) to prevent fan surge/stall;
- High-temperature resistant supporting components must be selected for boiler induced draft fans, and the VFD cabinet shall be heat-insulated.
III. Compressor Scenario (Screw/Piston/Scroll Air Compressors)
Core Selection Logic
Compressors are heavy-load startup equipment (with high static friction of the rotor during startup), so soft starters are the first choice (operation at rated mains frequency, adapted to the loading/unloading working mode of air compressors);
Only for variable-frequency constant-pressure air supply (예를 들어, continuous air supply in precision chemical/electronic workshops): Select a heavy-duty (HD) VFD to realize pressure closed-loop control and save 15%-30% 에너지 (avoid energy loss caused by frequent loading/unloading of air compressors).
> 주요 내용: Ordinary light-load VFDs are strictly prohibited for air compressors; 튼튼한 (HD) models must be selected to adapt to the high torque requirements during startup/loading.
Recommended Mainstream Models
| 전력 범위 (400다섯) | Soft Starter for Constant-Speed Heavy Load (ATS480) | Heavy-Duty VFD for Variable-Frequency Constant Pressure (ATV) | Adapted Compressor Types |
| 15-55kW | ATS480D32Y~ATS480C11Y | ATV320HD15N4~ATV320HD55N4 | Scroll/small screw air compressors |
| 75-250kW | ATS480C14Y~ATS480C48Y | ATV610HD75N4~ATV610H25N4 | Medium screw air compressors |
| 315-560kW | ATS480C59Y~ATS480C79Y | ATV930HD31N4~ATV930HD56N4 | Large screw/piston air compressors |
Complete Supporting Solutions (Taking a 110kW Screw Air Compressor as an Example)
Constant Speed (Heavy-Duty Soft Starter Solution)
주회로: TeSys GV7 Circuit Breaker (GV7RE160) → ATS480C21Y Soft Starter → TeSys LC1D150M7C (Bypass Contactor) → Motor
제어 회로: Pressure Switch (XMLA010A2S11) + Air Compressor Special Controller + 열 과부하 릴레이 (LR9F7375)
Variable-Frequency Constant Pressure (Heavy-Duty VFD Solution)
주회로: TeSys GV7 Circuit Breaker (GV7RE160) → ATV610HD11N4 VFD → Motor
제어 회로: Pressure Transmitter (XMLP010D2101) + PID Regulation Module + 제동 저항기 (VW3A1107)
Scenario-Specific Notes
- Soft starters for air compressors must be selected according to 1.25 정격 모터 전류의 배, and the current-limited startup function (현재 한도: 3 정격 전류의 배) shall be enabled to adapt to heavy-load startup;
- Variable-frequency air compressors must be bound to the air tank pressure signal, and loading/unloading delay shall be set to avoid frequent speed regulation of the VFD;
- For piston air compressors, add a travel switch to the control circuit to realize the linkage between the motor and piston movement.
- Machine Tool Scenario (Lathes/Milling Machines/Machining Centers: Spindles/Feed Axes)
Core Selection Logic
Machine tools are high-precision speed regulation equipment, and VFDs are the only choice for the entire operation process (soft starters have no speed regulation function and are completely inapplicable). Select the corresponding VFD according to the precision requirements of spindles/feed axes, with core requirements of high speed regulation accuracy, fast response speed and high low-frequency torque.
– For ordinary lathes/milling machines (spindles/feed axes): Select general high-precision VFDs;
– For machining centers/CNC lathes (servo-level feed axes/spindles): Select machine tool-specific VFDs (or servo drives directly).
Recommended Mainstream Models
| Machine Tool Type | 전력 범위 (400다섯) | VFD Model (슈나이더) | 핵심 장점 |
| Ordinary lathes/milling machines | 0.75-7.5kW | ATV320U01N4~ATV320U07N4 | Speed regulation accuracy of 0.5%, 빠른 응답 |
| CNC lathes/drilling machines | 11-37kW | ATV340U11N4~ATV340U37N4 | Machine tool-specific, supports pulse commands |
| Machining centers/grinding machines | 45-110kW | ATV930U45N4~ATV930U11N4 | Servo-level accuracy of 0.1%, high low-frequency torque |
Complete Supporting Solutions (Taking a 7.5kW CNC Lathe Spindle as an Example)
주회로: TeSys GV2 Circuit Breaker (GV2ME20) → ATV340U07N4 VFD → Machine Tool Spindle Motor
제어 회로: CNC System (Fanuc/Siemens) + 인코더 (E6B2-CWZ6C, for closed-loop speed measurement) + Intermediate Relay (RXM4LB2BD) + Emergency Stop Switch
Scenario-Specific Notes
- For machine tool VFDs, enable the closed-loop vector control (equipped with an encoder) to realize precise speed following and avoid machining accuracy deviation of workpieces;
- For feed axis VFDs, set the jog function (low speed: 0.5헤르츠) to adapt to manual fine adjustment of machine tools;
- For machining centers, select anti-interference VFDs and perform grounding/shielding treatment to prevent the VFD from interfering with the CNC system.
General Supporting Selection Principles (Applicable to All Scenarios)
- Main circuit circuit breaker: The rated current is 1.1-1.2 times the rated current of the soft starter/VFD; select molded case/miniature circuit breakers according to the power;
- Bypass contactor (for soft starters only): The rated current is consistent with that of the soft starter; select AC contactors (AC220V/380V coil);
- Protection components: Surge protectors (PRD Series) are mandatory to prevent power grid surges; add reactors (VW3A7501) for high-power equipment to suppress harmonics;
- 제어 회로: Prioritize 4-20mA analog signals for transducers/transmitters to adapt to the analog input ports of VFDs/PLCs.
접촉기,회로 차단기,태양광 인버터,전기 계량기,태양 전지


