How Soft Starters Are Revolutionizing Motor Control in Various Industries

 

Highlights:

• Introduction
• Potential use cases of motor soft starters
• Prominent regions and countries fostering the use of these starters
• Key developments in the landscape

With the rise of industrial automation, soft starters have emerged as an important component for managing the smooth operation of motors. Unlike traditional starters that cause significant mechanical stress and electrical peaks, soft starters provide a controlled ramp-up of power, ensuring a gentle start and stop for electric motors.

A motor soft starter is a device used to reduce the inrush current and torque during the initiating motors. With a gradual increase of voltage supply to the motor, a soft starter ensures smooth acceleration, preventing the mechanical and electrical stress typically associated with direct-on-line (DOL) starts. This controlled startup process extends the lifespan of motors and enhances the system's efficiency and reliability.

Diverse applicability of motor soft starters elevating business operations

These high-efficient motors are widely used in HVAC systems. In these systems, the motors are essential for controlling fans, pumps, and compressors. By ensuring a smooth start, these starters help reduce mechanical wear, and enhance the efficiency of these systems. This leads to longer equipment life and lower maintenance costs. Due to the wide applicability of these starters in controlling fans in HVAC systems, the fan segment is expected to rise at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2023 to 2032.

Moreover, soft starters are increasingly used in water and wastewater treatment plans to manage the operations of pumps and blowers. The gentle start and stop of motors prevent water hammer effects and reduce the risk of damage to pipes and valves, ensuring reliable and efficient plant operations.

In industrial settings such as manufacturing, mining, and processing, motor soft starters are used to control conveyors, crushers, mixers, and other heavy machinery. They help in minimizing mechanical stress and electrical spikes, thereby improving machine longevity and reducing downtime.

Regions and countries promoting the use of advanced motor soft starters

The motor soft starter industry has gained prominence across various regions and countries. Countries like U.S. in the North America region have started adopting advanced motor control solutions, promoting their extensive use in manufacturing utilities and infrastructure projects across the region. This has resulted in optimized energy consumption and reduced mechanical stress on motors, aiding efficient industrial operations in the region. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing due to the increasing demand for motor soft starters in diverse industrial applications and rapid automation in emerging nations across the region. Countries such as India mostly rely on soft starters to ensure controlled motor acceleration, addressing the region’s need for efficient energy utilization. The Indian motor soft industry is expected to manifest a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period.  

On the other hand, some Latin America countries such as Brazil and Mexico have started using these starters widely across their industrial sectors. With the help of these starters these countries have significantly enhanced their productivity while minimizing energy wastage. The industry across Mexico is estimated to witness significant growth at the fastest CAGR of 9.02 % from 2023 to 2032.

Contribution of BMG and ABL in transforming the industry landscape

To develop cutting-edge electric motors that meet stringent quality standards and set the benchmark for high efficiency motors, several leading players in the industry have made profitable strategies. For instance, in October 2023, BMG, a renowned supplier of industrial products announced its collaboration with the global electric motor specialists to develop Synergy IE3 range of electric motors. BMG’s Synergy IE3 electric motors have unparalleled energy efficient features and possess other advantages such as low-cost operations, suitability for voltage variation applications, minimal maintenance, and reduced temperature rises.

The Synergy IE3 motors also offer greater reliability, reduced noise and vibration levels, more flexibility and longer service life. In addition, the insulation of motors handles much greater heat than the motor’s operating temperature at full load, making them ideal for harsh mining operations.

On the other hand, in March 2024, ABL Group, the global energy, marine, and engineering consultancy acquired Ross Offshore, a Norwegian-based energy consultancy to expand its oil, gas, and renewables portfolios. With this acquisition, ABL aimed to use motor soft starters to enhance its technical excellence in wells, reservoir operations, and other consultancy services. Reuben Segal, the CEO of ABL Group said that by signing this agreement the company would benefit from Ross Offshore by adopting its geothermal technologies and carbon capture and storage, aiming to reduce carbon footprint in its marine operations.

To wrap up, the increase in demand for energy efficient solutions across various industries including manufacturing and oil & gas is expected to increase the demand for motor soft starters in the forthcoming years. Furthermore, these systems offer a scalable and adaptable solution for diverse industrial needs such as improving motor control and operational efficiency which is expected to create opportunities for industry in the future.

To identify emerging opportunities in the motor soft starter industry, talk to our industry analysts today! Moreover, they will grant your business access to a network of experts and resources.

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