SOFT STARTERS & ENERGY OPTIMISING SOFT STARTERS

Application Note : APP0001402.doc Title : Use of inline contactors with Soft Starts 07/12/2006
The UK Electricity at Work Act 1989 and the IEE Wiring Regulations state that any semiconductor devices
switching mains supplies onto loads may not be used for isolation. Therefore, some form of air gap switching
device MUST be used for isolation between the soft starter and the supply. This is normally a line contactor
controlled by the soft starter. Alternatively the starter may be connected directly to a circuit breaker with an
under voltage trip, a soft starter relay can then be used to trip the circuit breaker should a fault occur, so
creating an air gap.
However, where the soft starter is connected directly to the isolator, the soft starter will NOT be able to provide
an air gap in the case of a fault condition although the motor may have stopped rotating. The supply voltage will
be on the motor for the whole time the isolator is closed. This comes about because even while the starter is off
a very small amount of current (at supply voltage) will bleed through the thyristors and snubber circuits.
When the soft starter is connected inside the delta, or does NOT control all three phases, at least one motor
phase will be connected directly to the supply voltage. Under certain fault conditions this will single phase the
motor.
Under all fault conditions, voltages will be present at the motor terminal until an air gap is provided.
This is the case for thyristor controlled soft starters from ANY manufacturer.
It is therefore recommended that the installer use an in line contactor unless they have taken alternative steps
to ensure safety.

3 controlled
phases no
contactor

Recomended
connection

2 controlled
phases no
contactor

Isolator
normally
closed

Isolator
normally
closed

Isolator
normally
closed

Voltage will appear

across air gaps
Contactor
controlled
by starter

Direct connection
between line and
load on
uncontrolled phase

Voltage will
appear across
soft start !

Voltage

SoftStart

SoftStart

Voltage

Voltage

SoftStart

Fairford Electronics Limited, Coombe Works, Derby Road, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1JL, United Kingdom
TEL: + 44 (0) 1548 857494 FAX: + 44 (0) 1548 853118 EMAIL: sales@fairford.co.uk WEB: www.fairford.co.uk
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