The Danfoss VLT Compact Starter MCD 200 series is a range of compact soft starters for three-phase asynchronous motors from 7 to 110 kW. The series includes two families: MCD201 for basic soft starting and MCD202 with extended motor protection features. Thanks to their compact design, models up to 30 kW can be DIN-rail mounted, simplifying integration into electrical enclosures.

MCD200 devices provide smooth motor acceleration with reduced starting current (up to 4×Ie), which decreases mechanical stress on driven equipment and extends the service life of transmission components. The series is suitable for pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, and other industrial equipment.

MCD201 vs MCD202: Key Differences

MCD201 — a soft starter without built-in motor protection functions. Designed for applications where protection is provided by external devices (circuit breakers, relays). Supports 2-wire and 3-wire start/stop control.

MCD202 — a model with built-in protection: starting current limitation (Current Limit), smooth voltage ramp stop (TVR Soft Stop), and motor thermal protection. Recommended for critical applications where equipment safety is paramount.

Danfoss MCD200 Product Range

The series encompasses 88 models with current ratings from 18 to 200 A. Below are the main frame sizes:

Model	Power	Rated Current	Supply Voltage
MCD201-007-T4-CV3	7 kW	18 A	200-440 V
MCD201-015-T4-CV3	15 kW	34 A	200-440 V
MCD201-030-T4-CV3	30 kW	60 A	200-440 V
MCD201-055-T4-CV3	55 kW	100 A	200-440 V
MCD201-110-T4-CV3	110 kW	200 A	200-440 V

Each frame size is available in T4 (200-440 V) and T6 (200-575 V) variants with CV1 (24 V) or CV3 (110-440 V) control voltage. See the full catalogue of 88 models on the Danfoss soft starters page.

How to Choose MCD200

Selecting the right MCD200 model involves three key parameters:

Motor power — determines the frame size (007...110), rated current from 18 to 200 A.
Supply voltage — T4 for 200-440 V networks (standard 380/400 V), T6 for networks up to 575 V (industrial facilities).
Protection requirements — MCD201 for basic applications, MCD202 for systems requiring built-in motor protection.

For pumping stations and ventilation systems, we recommend the MCD202 with its smooth stop function that prevents water hammer effects. For general motor soft starting, the MCD201 is sufficient.

Other Soft Starter Series

In addition to the MCD200, our catalogue features series for various applications:

Danfoss MCD500 — an advanced series with a full range of protection functions and communication interfaces (92 models).
Schneider ATS48 — Altistart series with built-in bypass contactor (42 models).
Schneider ATS22 — compact Altistart series for standard applications (30 models).

Warranty and Delivery

All Danfoss MCD200 soft starters are supplied with the manufacturer's official warranty. Delivery across Ukraine via Nova Poshta and Ukrposhta. Contact our engineers for technical consultation or project calculations.

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.