Soft starter for a pump: when we ship one, and when a contactor will do
We ship a soft starter for a pump in two cases: when the pipeline has thin walls or old cast-iron joints that won't survive water hammer, or when the motor inrush trips the main breaker on start. Most of our customers are water-utility crews running a 11-22 kW station where post-repair pressure spikes are tearing joints apart, or a farmer with a 7.5-15 kW borehole pump whose check valve starts leaking a week after install.
How it works. The soft starter limits start voltage, ramping it up over 5-15 seconds instead of an instant connection. Inrush drops from 6-7×FLA to 3-4×FLA (from the datasheet, not from marketing), pipe pressure builds gradually, mechanical seals last 2-3 times longer. Once the motor is up to speed, the internal bypass contactor switches it to direct supply and the thyristors cool off. If you also need to control pump output by pressure or flow, take a VFD instead.
What we ask before the order
First: the exact pump model and the nameplate current. You can't size by kW alone, because submersible pump efficiency drifts. Second concern: is the pump a borehole unit with a long cable run (50+ meters). If yes, add a 25-30% current margin, because cable inductance makes the start heavier. We also ask about soft stop: it matters for pumps with a check valve at 15-30 m height, otherwise the water column drops back and slams the impeller.
From our 12-month sales the top 3 for pumps: Schneider ATS22D47Q (47 A, 22 kW, centrifugals at water utilities), ATS22D32Q (32 A, 15 kW, typical borehole), ATS01N222QN (22 A, circulation pumps in boiler rooms). Manufacturer warranty 12-24 months depending on series, delivery from our Kyiv warehouse in 1-3 days.
| 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:
- 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; other cities on request. Bank transfer for businesses or cash on delivery for individuals.
