Courtesy of Southern Drip Irrigation Ltd
Why Choosing the Right Pump Control can save your Business in the Long Run 280kw Soft Starter
A Common Irrigation Dilemma Ever wonder how to make your irrigation system as efficient as possible? Greg Allen faced this challenge on his blueberry farm near Kelowna.
Greg owns a 10-acre blueberry farm just outside Kelowna. His wife, Kim, also has a garden where she grows flowers, which they sell at Saturday markets.
He already runs drip irrigation in his field, but now, he wants to run a garden sprinkler system into his wife’s garden. Before adding the sprinklers to the garden, he wants to make sure his pump will still run efficiently… So, we were happy to apply our knowledge to serve him as best as possible.
He asked us a crucial question: should he opt for a Soft Start or a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) to meet his farm’s irrigation needs?
Let’s dive into the world of pump control technologies: Soft starters and VFDs.
Use soft starters for pumps with a single job, like running one pivot. But, go for VFDs when dealing with pumps in places where water changes, such as a greenhouse—less on cool days, more on hot, sunny ones.
Picking the right technology for your pump is a big deal—it can affect how long your equipment lasts, how much energy it uses, and how well it performs.
It boils down to what your pump needs, how fast you want to control things, and what you’ve got in the budget.
The idea is to make your setup work great while keeping energy use low.
The Pros: Reduced Mechanical Stress
Soft starters gradually ramp up the voltage and current to the motor during startup, preventing abrupt and jarring starts.
This reduces mechanical stress on the pump and associated equipment, leading to a longer equipment lifespan. Generally speaking, soft starters have a 10-year life expectancy.
In the world of pumps, the last thing you want is a disruptive water hammer creating chaos in your pipes and pumps when you turn the system on and off.
That’s where soft starters come in as the problem-solvers. They dodge hydraulic shocks by orchestrating a smooth and controlled pump acceleration and deceleration. It ensures a stable water flow without the headaches of potential damage.
Soft starters are like the maestros of motors. They let you fine-tune how your motor revs up and winds down.
Why does that matter? It gives you the upper hand in controlling processes and tweaking flow rates in pump systems.
This feature comes in handy, especially when your pump has to handle different load demands.
Soft starters are good for giving your motor a smooth start and stop, the basics of motor control. But, they don’t crank up the speed control as much as VFDs do. So, if you’re all about that pinpoint speed control for your setup, VFDs might be more your thing. It just depends on how much precision you’re aiming for.
Soft starters are awesome for a smooth startup, but here’s the thing… If you’re always adjusting flow rates or dealing with rapid changes, they might not be the go-to.
Their gradual motor startup doesn’t work well with places needing constant adjustments.
Soft starters are great for cutting down the power needed when you kick off a motor, saving you money.
But remember, unlike VFDs, they can’t match the energy efficiency that comes with adjusting motor speed. VFDs are the champions here, tweaking the speed as needed, making things run smoothly, and using less energy when things change.
The Pros: Precise Control of Motor Speed System Pressure
VFDs take the stage when someone wants precise control over motor speed and system pressure.
They tweak the motor speed on the go to keep the pressure just right, smoothly adapting to the changing needs.
Energy Efficiency and Potential Cost Savings VFDs are efficiency gurus. They adjust the motor speed to precisely fit your system’s requirements, ensuring the right pressure and saving a ton of energy.
When your system isn’t working to its full potential, VFDs kick in to maintain the ideal motor speed and reduce energy use. A 25% decrease in pump motor speed can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%, significantly cutting costs over the course of a growing season.
Reduced Wear and Tear on the Motor and Pump They not only save energy but also cut down on wear and tear for your motors and pumps.
By gently adjusting the motor speed to meet your system’s demands, VFDs prevent unnecessary strain on equipment, leading to a longer lifespan and fewer breakdowns.
It gives your machinery a well-deserved break, making it more reliable and durable in the long run.
Motor Protection VFDs aren’t just about controlling speed; they’re like bodyguards for your motor. These devices come with built-in protection features, acting as a shield against potential threats like phase loss, power fluctuations, overcurrent, and thermal overloads.
VFDs do have a heftier price tag compared to soft starters. But, don’t just focus on the upfront cost. You’re investing in the long run.
With VFDs, you get top-notch control and energy efficiency, bringing some serious game-changing benefits to the table.
With these benefits, a VFD will typically pay itself off in as little as a few months in many circumstances.
Potential Harmonics and Electrical Issues They can bring some challenges, like tossing high-frequency currents into the mix. That might stir up some electrical trouble, so you might need extra filters to keep things in check.
But, here’s the silver lining – smart system design and using strategies to tackle these issues can turn things around.
Increased Complexity In System Design and Maintenance So, going for VFDs amps up the complexity of system design and upkeep for businesses.
Installing and maintaining them? It’s a bit tricky and might need some extra expertise.
But, the added complexity pays off with the precision and efficiency that VFDs have to offer.
When you’re deciding between a soft starter and VFD, there are a few factors you need to consider.
For applications where control over parameters such as flow and pressure is of importance, VFDs stand out as the preferred option.
Don’t forget to think about your operational environment, like how hot or humid it gets and whether you need your system running 24/7. These factors will help you pick the right tech for the job.
Pump Control Maintenance Soft starters keep it simple with fewer moving parts, meaning less fuss when it comes to maintenance. Regular check-ups on connections and components usually do the trick.
On the other hand, VFDs might require a bit more care, with tasks like cleaning fans, and the occasional component swap.
For example, the cooling fan needs to be replaced every 3-5 years and the other components should be replaced every 7 years.
Pump Control Reliability Let’s talk about breakdowns and downtime.
Soft starters help dodge those unscheduled hiccups by protecting the motor and toning down the water hammer.
VFDs play their part too, optimizing motor performance and reducing the chances of unplanned downtime. They can help tone down water hammer to some extent, but they are not specifically designed for this purpose.
Pump Control Longevity Soft starters are all about reducing that startup stress, which means a longer life for your motor and pump. That translates to a more dependable system down the road.
VFDs keep things running smoothly, cut down on wear and tear, and give you more bang for your buck with equipment that lasts.
In pump systems, soft starters reduce stress, prevent water hammer, and require less maintenance but lack precise speed control.
VFDs offer precise speed adjustment and energy efficiency but come at a higher cost with more maintenance. It’s about finding the right balance for your specific needs.
Whether it’s soft starters or VFDs, the key is finding the perfect match that guarantees the best performance, energy efficiency, and system longevity.
Based on the differences, Greg chose a Variable Frequency Drive to make his irrigation system as efficient as possible.
With a VFD, Greg can easily switch between running the drip line in his field and providing the precise flow and pressure needed for the garden sprinklers.
When it’s time to irrigate the garden and the drip line is running, the VFD quickly increases the flow for optimal performance. If only the garden sprinklers are running without the drip line, the VFD slows down the pump to maintain pressure at the lower demand.
Once the garden sprinklers are turned off, the VFD adjusts the pump’s need, ensuring consistent pressure and flow for the drip line. All while optimizing the efficiency of Greg’s dynamic farm.
Whether you’re a small farmer like Greg or managing a larger operation, finding the right pump control is crucial. Consider your specific needs, and Contact Us for advice that’s tailored for your business or home’s unique needs.
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