FCMA
(Flux Compensated Magnetic Amplifier) Electrical Soft Starter are step-less voltage-reducing starters. It ensures a constant low starting current with incremental voltage and torque to the motor, to achieve a continuous and smooth acceleration of the drive.
FCMA soft starters are air-core-based series reactors, providing a complete starting solution for motor applications involving pumps, blowers, fans or compressors.
FCMA Principle
FCMA soft starters work on the principle of impedance control by superimposing two-phase opposed alternating fluxes on a common magnetic core. Controlled impedance, when connected in series with the motor, provides a constant current incremental voltage to the motor resulting in incremental torque as the motor speed increases.
FCMA soft starters controls the torque of the motor and it can be limited within 150 percent of full load torque. It also controls the amplitude of motor current without distorting the current waveform. This leads to zero harmonics
Methodology
FCMA consists of two windings wound on a common magnetic core:
The first winding is known as the main winding and is connected in series with the motor winding.
The second winding is known as the compensating winding and is wound with a polarity opposite to the main
winding.
Applications:
FCMA soft starters are used in
i. Nuclear power plants for critical applications such as fuel moderator supply pumps.
ii. Large-scale pumping schemes required irrigation, drinking water supply, as well as sewage handling treatment.
iii. Complete starting solution for motor application involving
a. Pumps ( submersible, Vertical Turbine, Britefil pumps, Horizontal slip case pumps)
b. Induced Draught fan, Forced draught Fans, Chillers & Compressors.
c. Cane loader, Upsetter, Grinding & Ball mill, Shredder, Fibrizor, Cane & Jaw Crusher.
References
1. Ms.Marathe Bhagyashree S, Prof. Khule S, “Design Of Solar Water Pumping System With FCMA Soft Starter.”
IEEE 2017 International Conference on Computing Methodologies and Communication (ICCMC), 2017.
2. Prafulla R.Deo, M.N.Gowaikar, “HARMONIC-FREE MAGNETIC (FCMA) soft starters for large capacity high
voltage induction and synchronous motors driving pumps and compressors.” the twenty-second international
pump users symposium, 2005.