Global Success for Solcon Industries’ Medium Voltage DriveStar

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18 Apr 2017

Two years ago, Solcon Industries released the DriveStart to deliver on a promise – create a medium voltage motor control that costs less and requires a smaller footprint than a variable frequency drive (VFD). “One of our customers required a simple, yet complicated solution - bring a motor up to speed,” said Gil Briman, CEO. “They were dealing with an insufficient power grid and paying high charges during peak times. The DriveStart not only solved their issues but was embraced by our customers across the global industrial landscape.”

For over 40 years, Solcon Industries has delivered innovative solutions. The DriveStart, an IGBT-based medium voltage soft starter, is available up to 6.6kV at 750A, and is the perfect addition to Solcon’s motor control solutions. “Solcon has remained a global leader in industrial motor controls because we listen,” says Jonathan Barrie, Senior Director of Product Management and Global Marketing. “Our products have earned a solid reputation due to their long, successful life out in the field. The DriveStart follows our corporate tradition.”

How does Solcon help customers with insufficient power grids? On a turbo vacuum blower at a paper mill in Indonesia, a DriveStart was commissioned to overcome issues with a weak power supply, high inertia start and other conditions. The DriveStart limited the starting current to lower than nominal as it accurately controlled the speed in order to prevent over speed. “The DriveStart’s integrated Solcon Data Logger and control program accurately adjusted the acceleration of the motor load to optimize the power usage,” says Mr. Barrie.

The Drivestart solved issues for other customers. “We created a great motor control and now it’s commissioned in other fields including mining, gas production, sludge pumps and others,” says Mr. Briman. “It started as a simple solution to help fill one customer’s request that turned into a global success.”