This is a common question and, full disclosure, this is a very basic blog on the differences.
A VFD (variable frequency drive) can increase/decrease the speed of a motor. If you need motor speed control a variable frequency drive is what you need.
A soft starter is only involved in the starting and, sometimes, stopping of a motor. A soft starter will allow you to start the motor at a reduced voltage, gradually increasing during startup until you reach full speed. This gives you a controlled ramping up to full speed.
Learn More About Soft Starters Here!
Quick overview:
- If you need to vary the speed of the motor as it is operating you will need an AC drive.
- If you are going to start the motor and ramp it up to full speed a soft starter might be all you need.
Let’s use one last real world example to clear things up, someone once explained this to me using a car:
- A soft starter is similar to slowly pushing on your gas pedal to increase to the speed you want and then staying there.
- A drive would allow you to push to increase, remove to decrease and adjust your speed as needed.
- If you didn’t use anything it would be similar to just slamming all the way down on the gas pedal.
- Which options do you think are better for your car and all the parts involved?
Want to learn more? Check out this video by RealPars!
Now that you need whether you need a drive or a soft starter, let us help you find which model would work best in your application. Our technical support is ready!
Beckie is our Director of Ecommerce & Marketing, the team that is responsible for making sure your online experience is everything you hoped it would be… and more. Enjoy rewards programs, special discounts through our newsletters plus the support of our amazing customer service and technical teams.
Dear sir, I am pumping system supplier. For constant speed pump operations in today’s price level of VFD & Soft starter, which will be best option for starting the pump? pl advise.
Thank you for your question,
If motor speed control is not necessary, then soft starters are an option to consider due to the simplicity in operation.
However, the soft starters we carry are only capable of working with 3-phase input and output power.
If single phase input is needed, then the VFD is the only product that will work in this case.