Question 1: How does Motorboss work?

Answer: Motorboss constantly adjusts the voltage to the terminals of an AC Induction motor to that which is just sufficient to meet the load on the motor. Motorboss is able to instantly detect, by microprocessor control any change in a varying load and to adjust the voltage output accordingly. By matching output to load, the losses (iron/magnetising, copper and friction losses) inherent in all AC Induction motors are considerably reduced thereby dramatically improving the motor efficiency and reducing running costs.

The Soft Start facility incorporated in all Motorboss Plus (three-phase) controllers provides a gradual and controlled increase (decrease in the case of Soft Stop) in the voltage applied to the motor terminals, thus eliminating the high peak current created during the starting cycle of Induction motors.TOP OF PAGE.

Question 2: Can Motorboss be fitted to more than one motor at a time?

Answer: No. Each motor must be fitted with a single Motorboss.

Question 3: To which types of motor can Motorboss be fitted?

Answer: Any Caged Rotor AC Induction (or Squirrel Cage) Motor
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Question 4: Can Motorboss be fitted to a slip ring motor?

Answer: Yes. The Slip-Ring motor is a variation of the Caged Rotor AC Induction Motor, however care should be taken to ensure enough torque is produced to accelerate the load.

Question 5: Which types of motor cannot benefit from Motorboss?

Answer:. Motorboss cannot be fitted to the following types of motor: DC motors, Universal motors, motors with a commutator (e.g. domestic vacuum cleaners) and Stepper motors as used in robotic control applications.TOP OF PAGE.

Question 6: Does Motorboss provide any additional protection for the motor?

Answer: Yes. Motorboss provides the following protection:

Loss of Phase

Stalled Rotor

Open Circuit Protection

Three Phase Line Fault

Short Circuit-line to earth.

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Question 7: What are harmonics?

Answer:

Harmonics are caused by semiconductor switching and are measured in multiples of the supply frequency. Harmonics can be reflected back into the power supply, in extreme circumstances can cause damage to frequency dependent components such as capacitors connected to the same power supply. The permissible levels of harmonic distortion are regulated and Motorboss has to comply to these. The levels of harmonics for Motorboss are given in the technical specification.
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Question 8: Does Motorboss meet the EU Directive on EMC 89/336/EEC?

Answer: Yes. Motorboss meets the directive by complying with the following harmonised standards:

EN 50081-1 AND EN 50082-1. Motorboss was evaluated against EN 55011 Class A.

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Question 9: Does Motorboss carry the CE mark?

Answer: Yes. With the effect from 1st January 1997, EU legislation decreed that all electrical goods sold in the EU must comply with the Directives and this must be indicated by the application of the CE mark. TOP OF PAGE

Question 10: What happens if the Motorboss unit fails?

Answer: In the rare circumstance of the unit failure, Motorboss can be configured to run in the emergency mode. This means the unit will pass full voltage to the motor and the full function of the motor will be retained. The compressor, for example, would function as normal but with the loss of the energy saving function.
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POWER FACTOR

Question 11: What is the effect of fitting Motorboss to an installation, which has Power Factor correction?

Answer: Motorboss will incrementally improve the Power Factor (Cos Ø) at the motor. This will remove the need for the Power Factor correcting devices as far as the motors are concerned. Nevertheless, there will almost certainly be other inductive loads on the system and these may still benefit from Power Factor Correction.
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Motorboss SINGLE PHASE

Question 12: Can Motorboss be fitted to a Split-phase motor?

Answer: Yes. Motorboss can be fitted to a Split-phase motor.

Question 13: Can Motorboss be fitted to motors with a capacitor?

Answer:

Yes. All single-phase motors have capacitors, which are used to "split" the phase, or to create a phase shift, which then creates the rotation of the rotor. However, there are several different methods of connecting capacitors and the "fixed" capacitor arrangement does not work with Motorboss.

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Question 14: Can Motorboss be fitted to a motor with a voltage potential relay?

Answer: Motorboss can be fitted but it is usual to change from the automatic setting of optimisation to a pre-selected voltage threshold (semi-automatic mode). See manual for details.TOP OF PAGE

Question 15: Can Motorboss be fitted to High Efficiency Motors?

Answer: Motorboss can be fitted to High Efficiency motors and still possibly provide a saving in energy. High Efficiency motors reduce the impact of the iron losses of the motor, losses which are always present. The manner in which the reduction of the wasted energy occurs is very different. The High efficiency motor provides a fixed saving across the range of the motor's load. Motorboss will accept the fixed saving and then dramatically change the effect of the iron loss thus reducing the impact of iron loss yet further as the load changes.

Question 16: Will Motorboss save energy on every motor/load combination?

Answer: For viable energy savings to be achieved the motor should run at 70% or less of its plated load (both current and power) for about 50% of it's duty cycle and the power factor should be 0.70 or less.
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Question 17: How much does it cost?

Answer: The price varies from a single phase operation to large three phase machines. If interested, select the Motorboss type you are interested in and we will be glad to quote you the price for that Motorboss

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Question 18: What is the maximum size motor that Motorboss can be fitted?

Answer: The largest unit in our current range is the PS0450, for motors up to 450 kW, or 600HP. We are, at present, undertaking development of units for higher capacity and higher voltage applications.

Question 19: How long is the manufactures guarantee for Motorboss?

Answer:

The product carries a two-year guarantee.

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Question 20: What is the I.P. rating for Motorboss?

Answer: Motorboss standard enclosures are rated at IP20. Installation requires a higher degree of protection and should be housed in an I.P. rated cabinet. See Table Below.

THE IP SCALE

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