soft starter fire pump controller

Description

Rama Fire Soft Starter controller, a product of the technical unit of Mana Sanat Paydar Company, is a safe and advanced solution for soft starting of fire pumps, designed with IP54 protection for industrial and construction environments. This switchboard provides stable performance and meets standard requirements by utilizing a soft starter to reduce inrush current, bypass to ensure stable operation after start, and full control based on Siemens industrial PLC. Delta’s touch HMI user interface allows for monitoring, error management, and precise system settings, and the locked rotor protection system prevents possible motor damage. All of these features make Rama switchboard a reliable and efficient controller for fire pumps.

Equipment used in Rama Soft Starter controller

In the soft starter starting method, instead of suddenly receiving full voltage, the fire pump electric motor is gradually introduced into the circuit with reduced voltage to reduce the initial inrush current and mechanical stresses of the system. The soft starter increases the voltage to the nominal value within a few seconds and after the motor reaches full speed, it is removed from the circuit and the pump is connected directly to the network via bypass. This method simultaneously provides soft starting, reduces water hammer and ensures stable pump operation in emergency situations.

• This electrical panel is equipped with a 7-inch Delta HMI touch interface that allows real-time monitoring of pump status, recording and displaying errors, selecting operating modes, and control settings.
• The control structure of the electrical panel is based on Siemens industrial PLC from Germany, and the control algorithms ensure high-precision and high-speed system performance.
• The panel has a locked rotor protection system that prevents damage to the motor by detecting an abnormal increase in current. Also, the presence of an internal alarm quickly informs the operator of emergency situations such as pressure drop or error.

Why is a soft starter electrical panel used to control fire pumps?

1. Reducing inrush current and preventing damage to the power grid

At the moment of startup, fire pumps can draw up to 6 times the rated current from the network, which in addition to putting pressure on cables and protective switches, increases the possibility of voltage drops or damage to the building’s internal network. The soft starter significantly reduces the startup current by gradually controlling the voltage and allows the motor to enter the circuit without electrical stress and without causing shock to the power grid. This feature ensures more stable pump startup even in emergency situations.

2. Reducing water hammer and increasing the stability of the hydraulic system

A sudden startup of a fire pump can cause hydraulic shock in the piping and create a water hammer phenomenon, which poses a risk of damage to connections, severe vibration and mechanical stress. By gradually increasing the motor speed, the soft starter brings the pump into the circuit in a soft and controlled manner, and the system pressure increases continuously. The result is a reduction in hydraulic stresses, an increase in the life of the equipment, and a stable operation of the fire water distribution network.

3. Ensuring stable operation in emergency situations

In fire systems, it is essential to ensure stable operation of the pump, even in the event of an error in the control equipment. Standard soft starters in fire panels are removed from the circuit through a bypass after the start-up process is completed, and the pump is connected directly to the network. This architecture ensures that a failure or error in the soft starter does not affect the operation of the pump, and the pump operates without stopping even in critical conditions.