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Hfe
Digital Soft Starters
FAIRFORD
ELECTRONICS
HFE-30 30 Amp @ 110-230 Volts
APPLICA TION
HFE Energy Saving soft starters are 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.
The LED in the unit indicates 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.
Soft Starters and Energy
Optimising Soft Starters
Safety at Work
ISOLATE FROM THE SUPPLY BEFORE WORKING ON THE UNIT OR MOTOR
It is the responsibility of the installer and user to ensure that this equipment is installed,
operated and maintained in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act in the
United Kingdom and all applicable legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to
your location.
Only qualified personnel should install this equipment, after first reading and understanding
this document. The installation instructions must be followed, and any questions or doubt
must be referred to the supplier of the equipment.
The system may be configured to allow for auto restart controlled from contacts on the
motor side of the unit. Users and operators must always take all necessary precautions to
prevent damage to equipment and especially to prevent the risk of injury to personnel
working on or near the motor and driven equipment.
The manufacturer does not assume any liability, express or implied, for any consequences
resulting from inappropriate, negligent or incorrect installation, application, use or adjustment of the product or circuit design, or from mismatching of a soft starter to a motor.
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Mechanical Details HFE-30
195
215
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.
228
25
Three off Ø21mm
holes for
cable glands
40.2 40.2
97.5
59.2
L, N,
M M N, L
mm
1
2
AWG mm Nm lbs-inch mm
1.5-25 12 - 4 13 2 18 0.8 x 4
MM
LN
NL
- Supply Live
- Supply Neutral
- Motor Neutral
- Motor Live
Earth/Ground
M5 Screw
LED
indicator
ML MN N L
Ramp time
Optimise
link, J1
“fridge mode
link, J4”
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WIRING
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.
Supply Neutral
Earth/Ground
Earth/Ground
Supply Live
Motor Neutral
Motor Live
T ypical connection
for the HFE.
Extra starting torque
may be needed for
loads which have a
particularly ‘sticky’
starting characteristic.
This can be achieved by
rearranging the internal
connection of the
starting capacitor,
bringing the connection
out and to the supply
side of the starter as
shown.
Earth/Ground
Neutral
Live
110/230V~
Motor connected for
Capacitor Start - Run
NL MM
Auxiliary
winding
NL
Main
winding
Connect Start Capacitor
to Supply live for
High Torque or Heavy starting
Centrifugal or voltage
switch controls
Star t
start Capacitor
Cap
Run
Cap
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 type 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
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STARTING
Rating T able
Model Utilisation
Category
AC53a
Allowed start
current (X Ie)
HFE-30
The rated
operational
Amps (Ie)
30
Continuous
connection
DutyStartLoad
Current
(Amps)
Time
(Secs)
90 3 99% 60
Allowed start
time (S)
time on
load (%)
Up to
Starts/Hr
Equally spaced
starts/Hr
current
30A : AC–53a : 3–3:99–60
SPECIFICATIONS
Pedestal Voltage Fixed at ~15%.
Start Time: Continuously variable from ½S -5S.
Terminations: Cage clamp terminals suitable for 1.5mm2 (12awg)
to 25mm2 (4awg)
Ambient Temperature: 0°C to 40°C without derating.
Enclosure: IP30 with standard cover:
Rated Operational Voltage: Ue: 110 to 230V ac (–15% +10%), 50/60Hz
Recommended cut–out device: 32A rated MCB, Trip Characteristic “C“, Form 1.
Rated insulation voltage: Ui: 300V.
Rated impulse withstand voltage: Uimp: 4kV (1.2/50µs).
Short circuit co–ordination: Type 1 , Iq: 5kA when protected by recommended Fuse
Fuse Type: Bussmann 170M3113 or Ferraz 6,6 URD 30 D08A 0125.
Design standards: IEC 60947–4–2: “AC Semiconductor Motor Controllers and Starters”.
Fairford Electronics Limited, Coombe Works, Derby Road, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1JL, UK
TEL: + 44 (0) 1548 857494 FAX: + 44 (0) 1548 853118
EMAIL: sales@fairford.co.uk WEB: www.fairford.co.uk
Document No. FD202504-F page 4 M-2025-F 081007 ©
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