Motion Control & Drives


Testing your motor control coordination

August 2024 Motion Control & Drives

Referro Systems, a supplier of control and automation solutions for the industrial sector, is warning against the risks of using untested components in motor control combinations. A motor control circuit is made up of numerous basic interconnected components that achieve the desired performance. The components will vary in size, depending on the motor’s power, but the operation principles stay the same. Therefore it is possible to design a high-performance motor control combination using a few basic components.

However, managing director, Adrian van Wyk says that combining type 1 with type 2 motor control elements without testing can have huge negative effects. If one uses an untested combination, there is a high risk of causing damage within the motor control centre, and there is also a risk of causing an arc flash, which could cause damage and serious injury to plant personnel.


Adrian van Wyk, managing director of Referro Systems.

“Testing coordinated combinations is hugely expensive, but it is very important to use these tested combinations to reduce risk, meet international standards, and ensure safe and efficient motor control combinations,” he explains. “A safer and more pragmatic approach is to rely on Rockwell Automation’s global short-circuit current rating (SCCR) tool, which provides coordinated high-fault branch circuit solutions for motor starters, soft starters, and variable speed drives.”

The one-line bill of materials provides coordinated high-fault SCCR ratings for all power devices used in the circuit, which saves customers time and effort to find and determine these ratings. The data provided by the SCCR tool is based on compliance with IEC and UL standards, pinpointing combinations that have been tested with coordination tables from 0,5 to 600 kW at various voltages and fault levels. These also include South Africa’s very unique and very common mining motor control operational voltage of 525V/550V, which is not a global test voltage.

“There are very specific products and variations of products that work together safely within a motor control circuit. These have been tested by Rockwell Automation, and are available to the public,” he adds.

The SCCR website at www.tinyurl.com/ybvztjf3 is the easy way to select safe combinations as Rockwell Automation has already tested all the different combinations, allowing companies to build their motor control combinations using complementary elements that have been tested and are compliant according to regulations. Customers can use tested combinations to ensure performance levels and safety is guaranteed.

For more information contact Referro Systems, +27 12 349 1297, [email protected], www.referro.co.za




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

New torque sensors for fastening applications
Spero Sensors & Instrumentation Motion Control & Drives
Sensor Technology, a global leader in innovative torque and load measurement solutions, has launched its latest advancement in torque sensing technology.

Read more...
Tough chain and induction hardened sprockets
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s Tsubaki Titan chain series offers significant improvements in wear life, particularly in demanding applications like abrasive and dusty conditions.

Read more...
Innomotics powers largest heat pump system in the Netherlands
Motion Control & Drives
Innomotics, a global leader in the provision of electric motors and large drive systems, has played a pivotal role in the realisation of the largest heat pump system in the Netherlands. It is located at the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Utrecht.

Read more...
Heavy-duty V-belts for aggressive conditions
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s extensive range of specialised Gates belting includes heavy-duty Predator V-belts, which have been specially designed to meet the challenges of drives that need to perform optimally in harsh African conditions.

Read more...
Three decades, one Perfect Harmony GH180
Motion Control & Drives
When customers seek to install a new medium voltage variable frequency drive, their priorities are reliability, efficiency and ease of use. Innomotics excels in these areas with its robust product offerings.

Read more...
Unlocking the smart factory
ElectroMechanica Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
At ElectroMechanica, we recognise that transitioning to smart automation isn’t just about adopting new technology; it’s about solving real challenges. Labour shortages, rising costs and downtime due to outdated machinery make digital transformation essential for long-term competitiveness.

Read more...
Enhanced grease gun and pump range
SKF South Africa Motion Control & Drives
The addition of a new LAGC S coupler to enhance the performance, safety and ease of operation of SKF’s proven grease gun and pump ranges demonstrates the company’s commitment to channelling innovation into its products and technology solutions.

Read more...
Problem solving under pressure
Axiom Hydraulics Motion Control & Drives
The greatest strength of Axiom Hydraulics lies in the company’s ability to solve complex problems and adapt systems to meet unique challenges. This capability stems from two key factors: the diverse experience of its team members, which spans decades across multiple disciplines, and their unwavering dedication to their clients.

Read more...
New AI advisor for robot selection
igus Motion Control & Drives
igus’ new AI chatbot has been added to the online platform RBTX.com. The interactive consultant is designed to enable companies with little previous experience and technological expertise to quickly and reliably put together low-cost automation solutions to becoming more competitive.

Read more...
The world’s most powerful worm
Motion Control & Drives
Geothermal energy from the natural heat of the Earth is an inexhaustible resource, yet the growth of the global geothermal power sector lags behind other renewable energies. Now Swiss startup, Borobotics is hoping to speed this up with its innovative new electric-powered geothermal drilling robot, which can be used to fast-track and lower the cost of heat pump installations in confined spaces.

Read more...