Moeller’s xSTART Cuts The Cost Of Cutting

Recently, however, as part of their continuous development programme, engineers from Röders began to look closely at the equipment used in the machines’ control panels. After careful investigation, they concluded that valuable assembly and wiring time could be saved by using Moeller Electric xStart motor starters, which feature tool-less plug technology and convenient mounting options.

The decision to adopt these innovative starters was made even easier by their full compliance with all relevant major national and international standards, something that was particularly important for Röders, as a large proportion of its output is exported.

The key timesaving benefit of xStart starters is that conventional wiring between the contactors and motor protection circuit breakers is replaced by plug-in connector modules. Not only does this make the starters much faster to assemble and wire, it also means that there is no possibility of wiring errors.

With ordinary direct-on-line starters, the timesavings are already substantial, but with reversing starters, many of which are used in the Röders HSC machines, and with star-delta starters, even bigger time savings are achieved.

The plug-in connector modules are also a valuable and convenient aid to safety during testing, commissioning and faultfinding as, by removing the module, full isolation of the output terminals is provided. Isolation can also be confirmed instantly simply by glancing at the starter to see whether or not the connector module is in place.

Additionally, xStart starters are exceptionally fast to mount within the control panel, as they simply clip into place on a standard mounting rail.

“Compact starters with close coupling between the contactor and the motor protection circuit breaker are, of course, nothing new,” said Sven Hofhammer, who is in charge of panel building operations at Röders, “but what we really like about the xStart system is that it uses standard components. All we have to buy extra is the connector modules, and the cost of these is offset by the savings we make on wiring.”

“The use of standard components makes stocking and supplying spares much easier for us. It also gives us extra flexibility in the design of the panels, as all of the normal connecting terminals on the components are still available for us to use.”

Among the other major benefits that the xStart range offers Röders is that it is easy to achieve optimum packing density for the starters in the panels, as only four frame sizes, with three different mounting widths, cover all ratings up to 170 A. In addition, the company has found that the arrangement of terminals on the contactors, with the coil terminals on the front, has simplified both control wiring and panel testing.

Röders HSC cutting and jig grinding machines use both AC and DC actuated contactors, so the company appreciates that, unlike contactors from most other suppliers, AC and DC versions in the xStart range have the same dimensions. DC types are also fitted as standard with suppression components, eliminating the need for these to be purchased and fitted separately.

The low power consumption of the contactors when sealed – no more than 2.1 watts for the largest 170 A types in the range – reduces panel heating, which is an important consideration for Röders, as its machines are often used in climates where high ambient temperatures prevail.

“Moeller supplies the contactor and motor protection circuit breakers to us assembled into complete starters that are ready for us to mount immediately,” said Sven Hofhammer. “This further reduces the time needed for mounting and wiring, as well as providing stocking and ordering benefits. We need only a few order references to cover our full requirements.”

“For years, Moeller has offered us excellent service, reliable support and dependable deliveries. Now with the xStart plug-in modular concept, the company is providing us with even more benefits and cost savings.”