Kick start versus Soft start - what is the difference?
Kick start and soft start are two different ways to start up a motor or fan.
The best acceleration method depends on the application. Applications with high inertia might need a higher torque at start up to avoid stalling of the motor. Following diagrams visualize the difference between kick start an soft start:
The best acceleration method depends on the application. Applications with high inertia might need a higher torque at start up to avoid stalling of the motor. Following diagrams visualize the difference between kick start an soft start:
Kick start — the motor will accelerate immediately from standstill towards maximum speed.
The full motor torque is almost immediately available. After this start-up period (typically 8 – 10 s), the motor will decelerate towards the requested fan speed setpoint.
This starting method is often used to avoid motor stalling at low speed. The disadvantage is the mechanical stress at start-up and a high motor start current.
Soft start — the motor will smoothly accelerate from standstill towards the requested fan speed setpoint.
This acceleration method gives you the advantage of reduced mechanical stress and lower motor starting currents.
Due to the reduced motor torque during start up, this acceleration method is not ideal for high inertia applications.
This acceleration method gives you the advantage of reduced mechanical stress and lower motor starting currents.
Due to the reduced motor torque during start up, this acceleration method is not ideal for high inertia applications.