Single Phase Motor Energy Control - Page 12 of 20
After making sure all the connections are correct, the unit can be switched on. (It is
recommended that any switching of the motor be carried out by switching the supply to the
EnviroStart and not by switching the load). As power is applied the green Power-on LED
should light up on the front of the unit, the motor should start turning immediately, ramping
from stationary to full speed. It will take approximately 2.5s after the motor has reached its
top of ramp speed before the energy saving routine is initiated. Depending upon the
operational mode selected, fully automatic or fixed pedestal voltage, (see below), the
optimization routine will then take approximately fifteen seconds to fully establish itself at
which point the amber Energy Save LED will come on. (During this time it is likely that the
Red Fault LED may flicker, this indicates only that the unit is establishing the parameters for
an acceptable energy saving level for the motor). Depending upon mode and the level of
savings being achieved the amber Energy Save LED may be on constantly or flicker on and
off; either condition is perfectly normal.
During the course of normal operation, the red Fault LED may flicker on and off occasionally
as the optimization process establishes the torque limits for the motor and load combination;
this is perfectly normal.
4.3 COMMISSIONING
It is necessary to establish the “safe operating level” mode for the EnviroStart with the given
motor-load combination. In the first instance, unless otherwise directed, always try the
default setting for the unit; this is Automatic Mode – Level 2, as indicated within the Table 2
below. If the motor runs up, EnviroStart goes into saving mode, (as indicated by the amber
Run LED flickering on and off) and the motor remains stable throughout any load variations,
(including re-starts if the unit is externally controlled by say a thermostat or PLC), then you
may want to try Automatic Mode – Level 1. This level will provide a slightly higher degree of
saving if the motor-load combination can handle the voltage and current reductions created
by the EnviroStart. If the motor becomes unstable and is unable to maintain the load torque
requirement then try Automatic Mode – Level 3, and so on to Level 4. If the Automatic Mode
levels do not provide a capability to maintain the motor load demands then move to the
Pedestal Voltage Modes, shown in Table 3. This Mode provides four operating levels. If
Automatic Mode – Level 4 has not worked then move to Pedestal Voltage Mode Level 1 and
work through to Level 4. If none of the Automatic Modes works then one of the Pedestal
Voltage Modes, will.
4.3.1 ESTABLISHING ENERGY SAVINGS
Establishing the current and voltage levels without energy savings can be achieved by
setting DIP Switch 1 into the ON position thereby disabling energy savings. The motor will
be supplied with full current and full voltage as though the EnviroStart was not in circuit.
Measuring the current and voltage in this condition and then referencing that against the
current and voltage with SIP Switch 1 in the OFF position will allow you to determine the
savings levels being achieved by the EnviroStart. In this always be careful to establish the
power levels over a period of time rather than spot checks, as these can be unreliable
indicators or true power.
4.3.2 FAULT CONDITIONS
If the motor sounds as though it is running unevenly or appears to stall at any time during its
operation then please see the instructions below, on backstop settings.
If the fault light comes on for more than a short period, switch off the unit for five minutes to
allow the EnviroStart to cool and then switch on again. If the fault lamp comes back on
