3 phase soft starter

[exotiic]

Good afternoon all,

I have two 3phase 15.75kW ducted units servicing my home. About 25 year old custom designed units and working absolutely perfectly. I was just thinking would it be any benefit to the system to install a 3 phase soft starter to each unit. Would that protect the compressor at start up or is it mainly just to protect from the higher startup current and costs?

I dont have any intention to replace the units, they are specifically designed and fitted under the home and would replace components as and if required, so am rather looking for a way of maintaining or promoting longer life within the components and any future ones.

[NoNickName]

If it's not broken, don't fix it.

[exotiic]

Not so much trying to fix, but maintain or extend life expectancy and reduce startup currents and thus costs

[D.D.KORANNE]

Another idea is to install a Variable FrequencyDrive .The VFD can be programmed to start up the compressor at say 30 Hz for five minutes & then ramp up the speed to the full rated speed . This way you can limit start up current & yet save energy when it is not fully loaded . However , check for the monimum speed as recommended by compressor manufacturer & program its frequency for start up .............