3.3kV Soft Starter Tripping

Hey tech giants please provide a solution for the guest.

Have you tried it again after reversing the direction of the motor? Does it rotate then? (If you haven't tried it, I suggest you do so, with the current settings, then let us know what happened.)

Also, I don't know what a Zero Flare motor (or compressor) is--is that a brand name or a type of construction?

From my experience (note I'm not a EE), the install that you're describing (very well I might add) would be done by a licensed electrician. This person would know (or know where to find) the appropriate limits to any adjustable values. If engineering evaluation is required as sometimes cited by the NEC, then I would not suggest using this forum for that purpose.

Thanks for your reply. However, NO Engg. Evaluation is being done at this moment. We are having trouble in pre-commissioning stage and seeking expert advise for initial hiccups.

My standard rant on this subject:

FCMA "soft starters" are a SINGLE SOURCE product. There is only ONE company in India that makes them, it is their own proprietary design concept (although it is an offshoot of a very old technology called a Magnetic Amplifier). So asking for help with it in internet forums like this is like fishing for a very specific species of fish in a vast ocean far from where it is normally found. You might get lucky, probably not.

Call that single supplier for help, they are the only real source. That is the chief reason I advise people to steer clear of that product concept, unless maybe they are in India.

Thanks JRaef..! In fact, FMCA S/Starter supplier is onboard offshore platform. However, Gas-compressor and 3.3kV/600kw motor is supplied by another canadian company. So, starter supplier feels his system is working fine as per approved schamatic/wiring diagrams. Compressor supplier has not arrived as yet on board, hence we decided to carry out initial trial runs of motor without compressor connected to ensure S/Starter works fine.

Pls advise should we try to run motor again after having reversed to correct rotation, and change timer setting to higher value but not more than 10sec, or select excess Start-time with max. current limit delivered by s/starter? Or change LRC setting to 500% from existing 300%? Appreciate any feedback/suggestion. Regards,

1. The very first thing should have been bump/test for rotation - not the second.

2. If the rotation is wrong, then any failures you encounter could be related to that fact.

3. I have been working with soft starters and VSD's for 35+ years. I have replaced 10 VFD's in the lat six years (20 more in the works). Replaced 10 Across The Line Starters in the six years. And added 4 more new VFD's in the last year. If there is anyone (anyone) here who knows VFD's and Soft Starters, it is JRaef . Please listen to his advice. I don't know if he is correct about the single source, but I have never known him to steer anyone wrong on this subject.

In closing, it is the equipment suppliers job to make sure that their equipment "works to spec".

GA JReaf

You might want to check the compressor's starting sequence. There may be an unloading scheme that must be completed before allowing the motor to start.

Yes, agreed! But right now, we are trying to ascertain that Soft-starter functions correctly even "Without Compressor"...and we had initial hiccups..lol!

So, we are trying to figure out, what could go wrong when we wanted to run motor with compressor de-coupled/or with no load connected...! Anyway, I take your suggestion and keep in mind whilst carrying out final testing with compressor connected. Thanks!