A soft starter for a pump provides gradual motor speed ramp-up, eliminating water hammer in pipelines and reducing starting currents by 3-4 times. This is critical for centrifugal, submersible, and borehole pumps, where abrupt starting causes premature wear of mechanical seals, check valves, and pipeline fittings. If you also need to regulate pump speed, consider variable frequency drives.

How to Choose a Soft Starter for a Pump

The key selection criterion is the pump motor rated current. Choose a soft starter with a rated current equal to or greater than the motor current. For submersible pumps with difficult starts, add a 20-30% current margin. Also consider the supply voltage (220V or 380V) and the availability of a soft stop function — it is important for preventing reverse water hammer.

Model	Series	Rated Current	Application
Schneider Electric ATS22D47Q	ATS22	47 A	Centrifugal pumps 22 kW
Schneider Electric ATS22D32Q	ATS22	32 A	Borehole pumps 15 kW
Schneider Electric ATS01N232QN	ATS01	32 A	Water supply systems
Schneider Electric ATS01N222QN	ATS01	22 A	Circulation pumps
Siemens 3RW3016-1BB14	SIRIUS 3RW30	9 A	Domestic pumps

Soft Starter Manufacturers for Pumps

Our catalog features soft starters from leading global industrial automation manufacturers:

Schneider Electric — Altistart series ATS01, ATS22, ATS48, ATS130. The most popular choice for pump applications with built-in dry run and water hammer protection.
Danfoss — MCD200 series. Compact soft starters with an extended supply voltage range.
Siemens — SIRIUS 3RW30/3RW40 series. Reliable soft starters for industrial pumping stations.

Soft Starters by Application

Browse related categories to find the optimal solution:

All soft starters — complete soft starter catalog
Motor soft starters — soft starters for general industrial motors

Warranty and Delivery

All soft starters for pumps come with an official manufacturer warranty of 12 to 24 months. Delivery across Ukraine — Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and other cities. Bank transfer for businesses or cash on delivery for individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a soft starter needed for a pump?

During direct start, pump starting current exceeds rated current by 6-8 times, causing water hammer in the pipeline and overloading the electrical network. A soft starter limits starting current to 2-3 times rated, providing smooth pressure buildup over 5-15 seconds. This extends pump, valve, and pipeline service life by 2-3 times.

How to select a soft starter for a pump?

Select a soft starter by the pump motor rated current, not by power. The soft starter rated current must be equal to or greater than the motor current. For submersible pumps with difficult starts, add a 20-30% current margin. For example, for a 15 kW pump (30A), a soft starter rated 32-37A is suitable.

Soft starter or VFD for a pump?

Soft starter — if the pump runs at constant speed and you only need to reduce starting currents (costs 30-50% less than a VFD). VFD — if you need to regulate pump output and save energy (up to 30-50% savings). For water supply systems with constant pressure, we recommend a VFD.

Is a soft starter suitable for a submersible pump?

Yes, soft starters are ideal for submersible (borehole) pumps. They are especially important for deep wells where water hammer during direct start can damage the casing and pump. For submersible pumps, we recommend a soft starter with soft stop function — it prevents reverse water hammer.