The Altistart 22 (ATS22) series by Schneider Electric is a range of soft starters designed for three-phase squirrel-cage asynchronous motors from 4 to 400 kW. The key advantage of the ATS22 is its integrated bypass contactor, which automatically shunts the thyristors once the motor reaches full speed. This reduces heat dissipation and improves overall energy efficiency. Browse our complete soft starter catalogue for more options.

Key Features of the ATS22 Series

Torque control — unlike basic starters, the ATS22 controls motor torque directly, ensuring smooth acceleration from standstill to rated speed.
Built-in bypass — once the motor reaches nominal speed, the internal contactor bypasses the power thyristors, reducing power losses and heat generation.
Wide range — 15 frame sizes with rated current from 17 to 590 A, mains voltage 230–440 V (plus or minus 15%) for Q models and 590–690 V for S6 models.
Motor protection — built-in thermal motor protection, phase loss detection, overload protection and rotor jam detection.
Digital keypad — configure start/stop parameters, view real-time current and status information.

ATS22 Product Lineup

Our catalogue features 30 ATS22 models for two voltage classes — 400 V (Q suffix) and 690 V (S6 suffix):

Model	Rated Current, A	Mains Voltage
ATS22D17Q	17	400 V
ATS22D32Q	32	400 V
ATS22D47Q	47	400 V
ATS22D75Q	75	400 V
ATS22C11Q	110	400 V
ATS22C21Q	210	400 V
ATS22C41Q	410	400 V
ATS22C59Q	590	400 V

690 V models (S6 suffix) are also available for every current rating — from ATS22D17S6 (17 A) to ATS22C59S6 (590 A).

How to Choose an ATS22 Soft Starter

When selecting an ATS22, consider the following parameters:

Motor rated current — select a soft starter model with a rated current equal to or greater than the motor's nominal current.
Mains voltage — Q models for 230–440 V networks, S6 models for 590–690 V networks.
Load type — standard duty (pumps, fans) or heavy duty (compressors, conveyors). For heavy-duty loads, consider selecting one frame size larger.
Starting frequency — for frequent starts (more than 5 per hour), derate the unit or choose a larger frame size.

Other Soft Starter Series

In addition to the ATS22, we offer other Schneider Electric series and leading manufacturers:

Schneider Electric ATS48 — for high-power motors with advanced protection
Schneider Electric ATS01 — compact solutions for smaller motors
Danfoss MCD500 — versatile soft starters with torque control
Siemens SIRIUS 3RW44 — industrial series with extended communication

Warranty and Support

All ATS22 soft starters come with an official manufacturer's warranty. Our engineers can assist with optimal model selection, parameter configuration, and commissioning. Order your ATS22 with delivery across Ukraine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Altistart 22 different from ATS48 and the new ATS480?

ATS22 is the universal base Altistart series with internal bypass; it controls voltage during ramp-up and offers a plain stop ramp. ATS48 adds torque control (TQ-Control) and a full pump stop function for centrifugal pumps, but its bypass is external (a separate contactor in the panel). ATS480 is the new generation and effectively replaces ATS48: TQ-Control, pump stop, plus internal bypass and richer comms (Modbus, optional Profinet / Ethernet IP). For a new pump or conveyor project with torque control, pick ATS480; on new builds the ATS48 no longer makes sense.

How many starts per hour can a soft starter handle?

It depends on whether the unit has an internal bypass. Series with bypass (ATS22, ATS480, Danfoss MCD500, ABB PSR / PSE / PSTX, Veichi SS70) typically take 10-30 starts per hour, because the thyristors switch off after ramp-up and stop heating. Series without bypass (Schneider ATS01, Siemens SIRIUS 3RW30) tolerate 6-10 starts per hour. The exact figure is on the nameplate as AC-53a or AC-53b. If you need over 20 starts per hour with heavy torque, a VFD is more economical than paying for a premium soft starter.

Soft starter or VFD for a pump?

Driven by start frequency and the need to vary flow. If the pump runs in on / off mode by a pressure or level sensor, at up to 10-12 starts per hour, and does not need to hold constant pressure — a soft starter with pump stop (Schneider ATS48 / ATS480, Danfoss MCD500) is two to three times cheaper and fully removes water hammer. If the pump needs to hold network pressure, runs with frequent starts (drainage, sewage), or you need energy savings — pick a VFD with PID. A soft starter gives no savings under steady-state load.

Does a soft starter save energy?

Only on starting losses and through reduced mechanical wear. Under steady-state load the motor is fed straight from the mains via bypass, so consumption matches direct-on-line. Some series (Schneider ATS22, ABB PSTX) offer Inside Delta or Energy Saver, lowering voltage on underloaded motors — but real-world savings are 1-3% and only meaningful on motors permanently running below 50% load. If energy saving is the main goal, the right tool is a VFD with PID, not a soft starter.

What is pump stop and why use it?

Pump stop is a smooth pump-motor stopping function where the soft starter lowers voltage over 10-30 seconds so that pump speed and water-column speed in the pipeline decrease in step. Without pump stop the water column behind the check valve keeps moving by inertia, the valve slams shut and pressure spikes by 5-10 bar — that is water hammer, which breaks valves and welds. The function exists on Schneider ATS48, ATS480, ATS490, ATS430, Danfoss MCD500, ABB PSTX. It does not exist on ATS01, ATS22, MCD200, SIRIUS 3RW30 — these series should not be picked for pump applications.

Do I need an external bypass contactor?

It depends on the series and on start frequency. Series without internal bypass (Schneider ATS01, ATS48, Siemens SIRIUS 3RW30) — an external contactor is recommended for more than 6-10 starts per hour or for 24/7 service; otherwise the thyristors overheat from continuous commutation. Series with internal bypass (ATS22, ATS480, Danfoss MCD500, ABB PSR / PSE / PSTX, Veichi SS70) — no separate contactor needed, bypass engages automatically after ramp-up. The AC-53b figure on the nameplate already accounts for the bypass in start time and duty cycle.

Is a soft starter suitable for frequent starts of a drainage pump?

Usually not. Drainage and sewage pumps cycle dozens of times per hour by tank level — that is 30-60 start / stop cycles. No soft starter series will last that duty: thyristors and internal bypass contactors are typically rated for 10-30 starts per hour. The right tool is a pump VFD (Veichi AC10 with sleep mode, INVT GD20 with PID) running continuously at minimum speed and ramping up when the tank fills — there are effectively no real starts at all.