News

Expanded Communications on 3-Phase Motor Soft-Starters

September 08, 2016 by Jeff Shepard

Power management company Eaton today announced the availability of its soft starters with expanded communication protocol options that greatly extend the capability of networked motor control centers (MCCs) and motor control panels. Originally designed to control acceleration and deceleration of three-phase motors, Eaton's S811+ and S611 reduced voltage soft starters are now equipped with Profibus™ and DeviceNet card options engineered on the same design as Eaton's agile C441 communication modules.

“Eaton’s new soft starter communication modules offer high reliability in a very compact footprint,” said Nichole Angiola, product manager, Eaton. “The products’ ease of integration lends additional agility that helps customers leverage the latest technology enhancements across their designs, meeting a wider range of footprint, form factor and platform requirements.”

Modbusâ„¢ RTU, Modbusâ„¢ TCP, Ethernet IP, DeviceNet and Profibus are offered in a compact, multi-functional, easy to install, and easy to program control solution. The straightforward adaptability of the communication module design also allows the S811+ and S611 soft starters to integrate easily into current or legacy MCC or control panel applications in need of communication upgrades.

The compact, easy to program and install S811+ is ideally suited for open, enclosed and motor control center applications. Ranging from 11 to 1000 amps, the S811+ is engineered to meet a wide range of industry standards in an industry smallest footprint. Eaton’s economical S611 soft starter is optimized for heavy-duty applications in the commercial construction and OEM segment where advanced functionality and field replaceable components are valued.

Both soft starters use the same C441 family of modules for communications. The standard modules have four inputs and two relay outputs with 120 volts alternating current (VAC) and 24 volts direct current (VDC) input options. Together, the Eaton family of products affords a wide range of communication protocol support available for easy integration into any programmable logic controller (PLC)/distributed control system (DCS).