Eaton S801+Soft Starter Complete Guide

Eaton S801+Soft Starter: The Ideal Choice for Intelligent Motor Control

In modern industry, the starting process of three-phase asynchronous motors directly affects the stability of the power grid, mechanical life, and production efficiency. Direct starting can generate a surge of up to 6-8 times the rated current, leading to voltage drops and excessive mechanical stress. The S801+soft starter launched by Eaton adopts an advanced six SCR fully controlled bridge topology, which smoothly increases the motor terminal voltage by continuously adjusting the thyristor conduction angle, thereby controlling the starting torque and current. After the motor reaches the rated speed, the thyristor is short circuited through an internal bypass contactor to achieve efficient operation. This article is based on the official user manual and provides a comprehensive analysis of the technical characteristics, installation requirements, functional configuration, parameter settings, and fault handling of S801+soft starter.

Product Overview and Technical Standards

1.1 Function and purpose

S801+soft starter is an electronic, self-contained motor soft starter device suitable for panel or cabinet installation. It controls the voltage applied to the motor to achieve smooth mechanical and electrical starting, suitable for centrifugal pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors, and other occasions that require limiting starting current and reducing mechanical shock. This series of products offers multiple current levels, covering application requirements from 37 A to 1000 A (taking S801+N37 to S801+V10 as an example).

1.2 Compliance with standards

S801+meets the following international and regional standards:

UL 508 (Industrial Control Equipment)

CSA C22.2 No.14-1995

IEC 60947-4-2 (Low voltage switchgear and control gear - AC semiconductor motor controllers and starters)

CCC GB14048 (China Compulsory Certification for Products)

1.3 Main Technical Highlights

Six SCR topology: one pair of anti parallel thyristors per phase to achieve full wave voltage regulation.

Built in bypass contactor: The motor automatically bypasses after reaching the rated speed, reducing conduction losses.

Control Interface Module (CIM): intuitive knob and DIP switch configuration, parameters can be set without software.

Multiple start/stop modes: voltage ramp, current limit, jump start, soft stop.

Comprehensive motor protection: thermal overload, locked rotor, phase loss, phase sequence, overcurrent, undervoltage, etc.

Wide environmental adaptability: Operating temperature range of -40 ° C to+50 ° C, no need to reduce capacity within an altitude of 2000 meters.

Technical data and specifications

2.1 Environmental conditions

Parameter specifications

Operating temperature -40 ° C to+50 ° C

Storage temperature -50 ° C to+70 ° C

Altitude ≤ 2000 meters, with a capacity reduction of 0.5% every 330 meters after exceeding it

Humidity ≤ 95% without condensation

Pollution level 3 (IEC 60947-1)

Anti impact 15 g (in any direction)

Anti vibration operation/non operation: 3 g

2.2 Mechanical dimensions and weight

S801+offers multiple frame sizes (N, R, T, U, V) to accommodate different current levels. For example:

S801+N37: Width 67.6mm, height 187.2mm, depth 163.9mm, weight 2.6kg.

S801+V10: width 280.6 mm, height 420.8 mm, depth 187.8 mm, weight 41.4 kg.

2.3 Short circuit rating

Different frameworks are suitable for circuits with different short-circuit capacities and should be used in conjunction with appropriate fuses or circuit breakers. Typical values:

N Framework: 10 kA/600 V (with JHFD type fuse)

R framework: 10 kA/600 V (RK5 or JHFD/HKD type fuse/circuit breaker)

T. U-frame: 18-30 kA/600 V

V-frame: 42 kA/600 V

Installation and wiring

3.1 Mechanical Installation

Check the equipment for any transportation damage before installation.

Drill holes on the panel according to the dimension diagram in the manual, and use bolts of the specified specifications (such as 1/4 inch bolts for V-frame with a torque of 50 lb in).

Ensure that the installation surface is flat and all fixing points use hardware.

For heavier V-frames (up to 103 lb), suitable lifting equipment should be used.

3.2 Main circuit wiring

S801+adopts an online connection method, where the power lines are connected to L1, L2, and L3, and the motor lines are connected to T1, T2, and T3. Wiring precautions:

Short circuit protection devices (fuses or circuit breakers) must be installed on the line side.

When wiring, follow local electrical regulations and use copper wires (75 ° C).

For T, U, and V frames, the standard supply does not include wiring terminals and requires separate ordering of wiring harness kits (such as EML22, EML28, etc.).

The wiring torque depends on the wire size, for example, a 4 AWG wire with a torque of 45 lb in.

3.3 Control circuit wiring

The control circuit is connected through a 12 bit terminal block and an RJ12 interface (connected to CIM).

Power supply: The terminal+/- needs to be connected to a 24 Vdc control power supply (SELV). The power capacity needs to meet the requirements of steady-state 25 W and surge 240 W (continuous for 150 ms).

Input signal:

Terminal P: Operation allowed (24 Vdc must be continuously applied to start)