General Information
- The
Fairford Electronics HFE-1 Digital Soft Starter is the ideal ‘retrofit’ energy optimising solution
for Soft Starting single phase compressors such as those used in Supermarket refrigerators and chillers etc.
- Can yield between 10-32% energy savings
- Has a rugged tin lid construction
- Can be mounted easily next to the machine or control panel
- Installation of the unit is quick and simple due to the ‘two wires in, two wires out’ design
- The unit is ‘fit and forget’ as there is no maintenance for the user
- The HFE provides mechanical and electrical stress reduction or elimination and optimised energy consumption
when a chiller/refrigerator compressor is not under load. The starting current is reduced, and smooth acceleration
is applied to the load
- Ideal Applications include
- Refigeration Systems
- Chillers
- Conveyors
- Heat Pumps
- Coolers
- Oven Fans
- Air Conditioners
Features and Benefits
-
Energy Optimising - Reduces energy consumption when the chiller/compressor is not at full load by 10 – 18%.
This reduces energy costs (and related cost) and reduces carbon emissions (at the supply generation)
-
Torque Reduction - Mechanical and electrical stress reduction or elimination means compressors
last longer and require less maintenance
-
Ideal for Retrofit, Simple Installation - Quick and simple implementation means low cost install in
existing equipment and rapid return on investment through energy and maintenance cost reduction
-
"Fit and Forget" - No maintenance time or associated cost
In Application
- Designed to control single phase AC motors
- Operation is fully automatic, a low starting voltage is applied to the motor as soon as the supply is switched on
- The internal automatic ramp control immediately takes over and raises the voltage progressively,
causing the motor to accelerate smoothly
- At the end of the ramp period, the motor is operated in Energy Saving mode and the HFE continuously regulates
the voltage to match mechanical load
- Energy consumption at light loads is reduced, motor winding and case temperatures are lowered, motor
life is extended, noise levels are reduced and power factor is improved
- Two LED’s on the front of the unit indicate when the POWER supply is connected and when the unit
is ENERGY SAVING
- As energy consumption is reduced the ENERGY SAVING LED flashes at a slower rate
- The HFE remains in circuit until the supply is disconnected
- The HFE automatically resets and is ready for the next start
Technical Information
-
Terminations - Cage clamp terminals suitable for
0.75mm² (18 awg) to 2.5mm² (12 awg) solid or stranded
-
Ambient Temperature - 0°C to 40°C without derating
-
Current - Up to 30A
-
Operational Voltage - 110–230 VAC Single Phase (-15% +10%)
-
Rated Frequency - 50-60 Hz +/- 2Hz
-
Ingress Protection - IP30 with standard cover
-
Start Time - Approx 0.5 to 5 Seconds continuously variable
-
Pedestal Voltage - Fixed at approx 15%
-
Recommended cut-out device - 10A rated MCB, Trip Characteristic "C"
-
Rated Insulation Voltage - Ui: 250v
-
Rated Impulse Withstand Voltage - Uimp: 4kv (1.2/50µs)
-
Short Circuit Co-ordination - Type 1 , Iq: 5kA when protected by recommended Fuse
-
Fuse Type - See rating table
-
Design standards - IEC 60947–4–2 - “AC Semiconductor Motor Controllers and Starters”
Mechanical Details
Mounting
- The module must be fixed to a vertical surface
- To ensure free air movement a minimum clearance of 40mm must be maintained above and below the unit
Wiring Details
- The soft starter is normally inserted into the circuit between the motor and whatever switchgear
is normally used for isolation or switching
- The unit can also be fitted before switchgear so that it can be installed in the supply to equipment
which has it’s own mechanical control
- This feature allows for easy installation on equipment such as refrigeration where the need to disturb
internal wiring is avoided

- The terminations are made with industry standard cage clamp screw terminals directly onto the circuit board on all units.
- The incoming power supply is connected to the terminals marked ‘L’ and ‘N’
- For EMC compliance it is important that the line circuit is connected to L and the neutral circuit to N.
- Outgoing connections from the HFE are taken from the terminals marked ‘LM’ and ‘NM’ to the motor or
load input terminals (see diagram)
- Ensure that a good connection is made to the earth terminals provided.
- Fuses or other types of short-circuit protection are required for protection against a cable or motor terminal box fault
- These must be fitted externally and on the supply side of the unit.
- See “Specifications” section for recommended fuse type and cut-out device
Operation
- Set the ramp time potentiometer to midway to approx 2 seconds and start the system
- If the motor turns instantly when the soft starter is energised and accelerates satisfactorily then no
further adjustment is required
- If the rate of acceleration is too great stop the unit and turn the ramp time potentiometer clockwise then restart
- Adjust anti–clockwise for a shorter ramp time setting to increase the rate of acceleration
- The motor should turn instantly when the soft starter is energised
- If not, rearrange the connection of the starting capacitor as shown in fig 1
- For running currents up to and including 10 Amps the unit is rated for continuous duty
- Start currents must never exceed 60A
Starting
Rating Table

*13A fused plug may be used but not for more than load amps 5A at duties as indicated in Rating Table
Links
Product Brochure
Product Guide