VFD Vs Soft Starter | Difference Between VFD and Soft Starter

Friends, people say about VFD and soft starters that the motor can be turned on smoothly using VFD. But the same is said for soft starters. So there will be a question in your mind that these two are not the same.

But it doesn’t happen. There is a big gap between VFD and soft starters. This is why the cost of a VFD is much higher than a soft starter. So we will see in today’s post that there is a gap between the two.

In This Post

What are a VFD and Soft Starter?

The function of both is to control the motor slowly while turning it on and off.

This means stopping the motor from turning on and off one by one. Doing so does not cause a jerk in the mechanical system. But apart from this, VFD has many advantages.

Considering the many benefits, VFD is widely used. But it is not as if the soft starter has stopped or will turn off. The soft starter is also an integral part of the electrical system.

First of all, we have to talk about VFD.

How Does VFD work?

VFD has three main components.

1. Rectifier.
2. Filter.
3. Inverter.

Rectifier:

The main function of a rectifier is to convert DC voltages from AC voltages. Once the AC voltage is converted to DC, then the filter unit works. The filter unit filters the DC voltage, which is made of a rectifier.

Filter Unit:

The filter unit is filtered through a DC voltage rectifier circuit. It is thoroughly checked. Somewhere in DC Voltage, there are no marks of AC Voltage left, and the filter unit is filtered by DC Voltage and becomes Pure DC Voltage.

Inverter:

Once the DC voltage is filtered from the filter unit, the inverter unit works. This converts DC voltage back to AC voltage.

But now what we have got from VFD to AC Voltage. It is in the form of a rectifier. This means that we can change the AC output as desired. And we can increase or decrease the speed of the motor with the help of the AC voltage.

How Does a soft starter work?

Speaking of the main components of the soft starter, it uses 3 SCRs. And 3 SCRs are connected in parallel inside the soft starter.

The main function of a soft starter is to start the motor smoothly in starting. With the help of which mechanical jerk has been done to purify.

Speaking of the soft starter, its complete control is the same as the VFD system. VFD has a rectifier, filter unit, and inverter unit. Similarly, a soft processor has a microprocessor inside, which controls the entire system.

Difference Between VFD and Soft Starter:

A soft starter is used to start and stop the motor smoothly.
Speaking of VFD, VFD is also used to stop the motor from running smoothly. Apart from this, VFD also does the work of controlling the motor.
With the help of a soft starter, you can’t change the RPM of the motor. While this feature is available in VFD, you can set the required speed ratio.
The way to start and stop the motor smoothly is called motor A acclamation and D acceleration.
Apart from this, the important thing is that not only are harmonics produced in a soft starter, but this is also its biggest advantage. It does not have a case called harmonic, so it is considered a good soft starter.
VFD produces large amounts of harmonics, which is why they have an extra filter called a harmonic filter.

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