More flexibility for machine builders: LOVATO Electric expands its ADXL Soft Starter range
Machine builders and control panel designers don’t always have the luxury of a 100 – 240VAC auxiliary supply.
Many modern machines use 24VDC as the standard control voltage, supplied by a switching power supply or battery. In other applications, the electrical system may have only a three-phase supply available to power the motor, with no neutral conductor.
So, what happens when you need a soft starter?
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LOVATO Electric has the answer
The new ADXL…60024 soft starters with 24VAC/DC auxiliary power supply give machine builders, panel designers and automation engineers greater flexibility when specifying motor starting solutions – without compromising on the features and functionality of the existing ADXL range.
Available alongside the established 100…240VAC auxiliary supply versions, the new models deliver the same advanced motor control, protection and communication capabilities, but with an auxiliary supply designed around the realities of modern machine control.
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When 24V is all you need
The new ADXL…60024 models are designed for applications where a conventional 100–240VAC auxiliary supply simply isn’t available.
That could be a machine-mounted control panel, where 24VDC is already available from the control system.
It could be an automated production machine powered by a switching power supply.
Or it could be an installation where there is no neutral conductor, leaving only the three-phase motor supply available.
In these situations, the new 24VAC/DC auxiliary supply removes an unnecessary design constraint.
Instead of introducing additional components or finding a way to create a suitable auxiliary AC supply, the soft starter can be integrated directly into the existing 24V control architecture.
The result? Simpler panel design. Greater installation flexibility. Fewer compromises.
“The introduction of the 24VAC/DC ADXL models is about giving machine builders and panel designers greater freedom when developing modern control systems. With 24VDC already widely established as the control voltage of choice, these new models make it easier to integrate soft starting into machines where a conventional 100–240VAC auxiliary supply or neutral conductor isn’t available. Importantly, customers don’t have to sacrifice the advanced control, protection, connectivity and configuration features that make ADXL such a versatile soft starter platform.”
David Whitby
Managing Director
LOVATO UK
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What is a soft starter?
A soft starter controls the voltage supplied to an electric motor during starting and stopping.
Unlike direct-on-line starting, where the motor is connected directly to the supply, a soft starter gradually increases the voltage applied to the motor.
This helps reduce starting current and mechanical stress, providing a smoother and more controlled motor start.
For machine builders and industrial applications, this can help reduce mechanical shock, minimise electrical disturbances and improve the overall starting behaviour of motors.
The LOVATO Electric ADXL range takes this further with advanced control functions designed to give engineers greater control over how the motor starts and operates.
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Same ADXL performance. Now with 24VAC/DC flexibility.
The introduction of the ADXL…60024 models isn’t about compromising on functionality to gain a different auxiliary supply.
The same ADXL technology remains at the heart of the new range.
The 24VAC/DC models share the electrical characteristics, hardware features and firmware functions of the existing ADXL…600 models with 100…240VAC auxiliary power.
That means engineers can benefit from the flexibility of 24V control power while retaining a comprehensive set of motor control and protection features.
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Designed for a wide range of motors and applications
The ADXL range covers rated currents from 18A to 320A, across four mechanical sizes.
The soft starters are suitable for three-phase systems with rated voltages from 208 to 600VAC at 50/60Hz, making them suitable for a wide range of industrial machinery and motor-driven applications.
This broad range allows the ADXL platform to support everything from individual machine applications through to larger industrial motor control systems.
• Two ways to control the motor start
• Different machines have different starting requirements
That’s why ADXL soft starters provide both voltage ramp starting and torque control.
Voltage ramp control provides a controlled increase in motor voltage, while torque control allows engineers to manage the motor’s starting torque more precisely.
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Advanced motor control functions add further flexibility, including:
- Kick start for applications requiring additional initial torque
- Maximum starting current limitation
- Autoset for guided, quick configuration
- Additional configurable motor starting functions
This means engineers can configure the soft starter around the machine and motor application rather than designing the application around the limitations of the starter.
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Built-in bypass means fewer components
The ADXL range incorporates a built-in bypass relay, helping simplify the installation and reduce the need for additional external components.
Once the motor has reached its operating condition, the bypass function can take the soft starter out of the main power path, helping minimise losses during normal operation.
For panel builders, this integrated approach can help make the overall control system more compact and straightforward.
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Configure it your way
Commissioning and configuration shouldn’t have to be complicated.
ADXL soft starters feature a backlit icon display, with text available in multiple languages, providing a clear interface for configuration and monitoring.
The front panel also incorporates NFC connectivity, allowing parameters to be programmed using Android and iOS smart devices through the LOVATO NFC app.
This can make configuration faster and more convenient, particularly when engineers need to commission equipment on the machine rather than at a desk.
And with features such as Autoset, guided configuration can help simplify the initial setup process.
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Protection built into the starter
A soft starter isn’t just about getting a motor up to speed smoothly.
Protecting the motor and the starter itself is equally important.
ADXL includes integrated protection functions with configurable settings, helping engineers tailor protection to the specific application and operating conditions.
The range also includes a start-up counter, hour meter and event log, providing useful operational information for commissioning, troubleshooting and maintenance.
That additional visibility can help engineers understand how equipment is being used and investigate issues when they occur.
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Ready for connected automation
Modern machine control is increasingly connected, and the ADXL range is designed with this in mind.
An optional RS485 communication card provides Modbus-RTU connectivity, enabling the soft starter to be integrated into wider automation and control systems.
The front-mounted optical port also provides a convenient connection point for optional USB or Wi-Fi devices.
This gives engineers multiple options for configuration, commissioning, monitoring and integration without compromising the compact design of the soft starter.
A compact solution with plenty of options
The new 24VAC/DC ADXL models aren’t a stripped-back alternative.
They combine the flexibility of a 24V auxiliary supply with the comprehensive functionality of the ADXL platform.
With a wide current range, multiple control strategies, integrated bypass, advanced motor protection, NFC connectivity, optional communications and a broad range of accessories, the ADXL series provides a flexible solution for modern motor control applications.
And perhaps most importantly for machine builders, the new 24VAC/DC auxiliary supply makes it easier to integrate the soft starter into control architectures that already rely on 24V.
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Built around the way modern machines are designed
Machine builders are increasingly standardising control systems around 24VDC.
It is widely used for sensors, PLCs, relays, HMIs and other control components, so having a soft starter that can operate from the same auxiliary supply can make practical sense.
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Make 24V work harder for your motor control
If you are designing machinery or control panels where 24VDC is already available, the new ADXL…60024 soft starters could provide the flexibility you’ve been looking for.
From 18A to 320A, with support for 208–600VAC three-phase systems, advanced motor control, integrated protection and multiple communication options, ADXL provides a powerful combination of flexibility, functionality and simplified integration.
Talk to LOVATO UK to find the right ADXL soft starter for your application.
