VFD AND SOFT STARTER PANEL
Introduction
VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) and Soft Starter panels are essential for modern motor control—improving energy efficiency, reducing mechanical stress, and protecting motors and associated equipment. Mine Power designs and manufactures custom VFD and Soft Starter panels for industries across Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, delivering reliable motor control solutions for pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, HVAC, and process machinery.
A VFD varies motor frequency and voltage to provide continuous speed and torque control. A Soft Starter uses thyristor-based reduced-voltage starting to limit inrush current and gently ramp motors to full speed. Together they lower operating costs, extend equipment life, and improve process control.
Why Choose Mine Power (Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, Tamil Nadu & Kerala)
Customized Designs: Panels tailored for process, environment, and local power conditions.
Quality Components: Drives from reputed brands (Siemens, ABB, Delta, Schneider, Yaskawa, etc.) and high-grade enclosures.
Local Expertise: Onsite commissioning, FAT/SAT, operator training, and AMC support across South India.
Energy Optimization: Drive selection and control strategies aimed at ROI and lower lifecycle costs.
End-to-end Services: Design → Fabrication → Testing → Installation → 24/7 support.
Optimize motor performance and reduce energy costs with Mine Power’s custom VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) and Soft Starter panels. Engineered for reliability and efficiency, our motor control panels serve textile mills, water treatment plants, HVAC systems, packaging lines, and industrial process plants across Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
Why Mine Power? Custom engineering, IP-rated enclosures, branded drives, IoT-enabled remote monitoring, FAT/SAT, and 24/7 local support.
CTA: Contact Mine Power for a site assessment, energy audit, or quotation for VFD/Soft Starter solutions.
Additional Services
Custom panel design & engineering consultation
Onsite installation & commissioning
Operator training & O&M manuals
Preventive maintenance contracts & 24/7 emergency support
Energy audits, harmonic mitigation, and retrofits
VFD vs. Soft Starter Comparison
| Feature | VFD Panel | Soft Starter Panel |
|---|---|---|
| Speed Control | Continuous variable speed throughout operation | Fixed speed after startup ramp-up |
| Frequency Control | Yes (0-400 Hz adjustable) | No (fixed at 50/60 Hz) |
| Voltage Control | Yes (0-100% adjustable) | Yes (0-100% at startup only) |
| Cost | Higher (advanced technology) | Lower (simple thyristor design) |
| Size | Larger enclosure needed | Compact, space-efficient |
| Energy Savings | 20-40% reduction in consumption | Minimal energy savings |
| Harmonics Generation | Higher (<40% THD) | Minimal (<5% THD) |
| Applications | Variable speed processes | Constant speed with soft start |
| Maintenance | Regular IGBT inspection required | Minimal maintenance |
| Efficiency | 90-98% depending on load | 98%+ in bypass mode |
VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) and Soft Starter panels are essential for modern motor control—improving energy efficiency, reducing mechanical stress, and protecting motors and associated equipment. Mine Power designs and manufactures custom VFD and Soft Starter panels for industries across Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, delivering reliable motor control solutions for pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, HVAC, and process machinery.
VFD Panel Features
Continuous Speed Control: Precise torque and RPM regulation across operating range.
Frequency & Voltage Modulation: Accurate motor speed control using N = 120 × f ÷ p.
Torque Regulation & Vector Control: Sensorless vector / Field Oriented Control (FOC) options for tight speed/torque control.
Soft Start/Stop & Ramp Profiles: Smooth acceleration/deceleration to reduce mechanical shock.
Programmability & Logic: Custom control sequences, PLC integration, external I/O.
Energy Savings: Dynamic load matching (typical 20–40% savings vs fixed-speed).
Advanced Protections: Overload, short-circuit, over/under-voltage, thermal, phase-failure protection.
Communication & Monitoring: Modbus RTU/TCP, EtherNet/IP, ProfiBUS, CANopen, IoT/cloud-ready options.
Multi-Motor / Master-Slave Capability: Coordinated control for multi-drive systems.
Soft Starter Panel Features
Inrush Current Limiting: Thyristor control reduces startup current by up to ~70%.
Adjustable Ramp Time: Typical 2–30 s soft-start profiles.
Automatic Bypass Contactor: Reduces heat and losses during steady-state operation.
Low Harmonics: Minimal THD compared with VFDs.
Mechanical Protection: Reduced mechanical stress on couplings, belts, bearings.
Compact & Cost-Effective: Smaller footprint, lower initial cost where speed control is not required.
Motor Protection: Thermal overload, short-circuit protection and automatic bypass.
Control Panel Build & Quality
Compartmental Design: Separate power & control bays for safety and serviceability.
Enclosures: IP42 / IP54 / IP55 / IP65 options in CRCA/MS, SS304/316, or aluminum.
Cooling: Forced-air fans, heat sinks, or natural ventilation sized to drive rating.
Busbars & Wiring: Copper/aluminum busbars, labeled terminals, ferrules, cable glands.
Protection Devices: Surge arrestors, fuses, MCCBs, contactors, thermal relays.
Safety & Standards: Proper earthing, clearances, safety interlocks, E-stop integration.
Documentation: Wiring diagrams, BOM, test reports, FAT/SAT records, O&M manuals.
VFD Panels (typical ranges)
Input Voltage: 220 V single-phase or 380–440 V three-phase (±10%).
Output Frequency: 0 – 400 Hz (industrial typical: 0–60 Hz).
Power Range: 0.5 HP – 500+ HP (panelized solutions to larger skid-mounted systems).
Rated Current: 10 A – 2000 A depending on design.
Control Methods: V/f, Sensorless Vector, FOC.
Environmental: 0°C – 50°C (extendable with cooling), 10–90% RH (non-condensing).
Communications: Modbus RTU/TCP, EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS, CANopen, EtherCAT.
Cooling: Forced-air for high ratings; natural for small drives.
Soft Starter Panels (typical ranges)
Input Voltage: 220 V single-phase or 380–440 V three-phase.
Rated Current: 10 A – 600 A (typical) — larger on request.
Ramp Time: 2 – 30 seconds (adjustable).
Startup Current: Reduced to ~2–4× rated (vs 6–8× DOL).
Bypass: Automatic bypass contactor after start.
THD: Low (<5% typical) during bypass/operation.
Enclosure & Mechanical
Dimensions: Compact (300×250 mm) to large (1200×900+ mm) — custom.
Busbar & Terminals: Cable sizes 6 mm² – 120 mm², busbars rated per system current.
Certifications: IS 8623, CE, BIS (as required).
Weight: 20 kg – 500+ kg depending on components.
VFD Use-Cases
Pump stations, booster sets, water distribution networks
Cooling towers, chillers, AHUs, HVAC fan systems
Conveyors, extrusion, rolling mills, paper machines
Spindle speed control in CNC and similar precision equipment
Renewable systems: solar tracking, wind turbine pitch control
Soft Starter Use-Cases
Water & wastewater pumps, irrigation systems
Compressors & blowers
Fans & blowers in HVAC systems
Conveyor starts where full-speed control is not required
Applications needing reduced mechanical stress at start
