An electrical device that controls the starting, stopping, and protection of the elevator drive motor, limiting inrush current and protecting against overloads.
Full Definition
A motor starter for an elevator provides controlled energisation of the drive motor to limit the high inrush current that would otherwise occur when a large motor is switched directly onto the supply. Traditional star-delta starters switch the motor windings from star (reduced voltage) to delta (full voltage) once the motor approaches running speed, reducing starting current to roughly one-third. Soft starters use power electronics to ramp voltage smoothly. Both protect the motor from overloads via thermal overload relays. In modern variable-frequency drive (VFD) installations the VFD itself performs the soft-starting function and the separate motor starter is not needed. Older hydraulic and two-speed AC elevator systems still commonly use conventional motor starters.
