EPMA Liquid Resistance Starters for Slip-ring motors. 200 to 20 000 kW.

The EPMA starter has been specifically designed by AOIP for controlled starting and speed control of large slip ring motors in arduous applications such as: Crushing Milling Conveyors Pumps Ventilation In a variety of industries such as mines, quarries, cement plants, water treatment and associated Industries. CSE-Uniserve Pty Limited has adapted this basic design under license to AOIP to suit the harsh conditions typical of Australian mining installations. The starter tanks are manufactured here in Australia from stainless steel to AS 1554, and customized to suit outdoor installation, with minimal maintenance requirements.

All Unistarter units are manufactured in Australia and in conformance with Australian Standards.

The EPMA rotor starter is used to control the starting of a slip ring (wound rotor induction) motor. The starting current is generally limited to a maximum of 250% Full Load Current. Optimal starting torque for each application is selected by the choice of the initial value of resistance. The principle of the liquid starter is that of a secondary resistance starter, where by the rotor resistance is reduced to a minimum during the starting period.

This type of starter is designed to provide the optimum starting characteristic, which results in smooth progressive acceleration to full load speed. It can also be used for speed variation and torque control. Plug braking can also be implemented with this system. The variation in the resistance is achieved by displacement of the electrodes in the electrolyte. At the end of the acceleration, the electrodes are shorted out.

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Description
EPMA starter
An EPMA unit comprises: The electrolytic resistance contained within a tank complete with electrodes of a size rated for the specific kW rating. A separate H.V enclosure houses the Shorting contactor, and a n L.V enclosure contains the control system (control panel).

Electrode control system.........

The moving electrodes travel vertically inside the insulating container, guided by a nylon rod. Two solid brass rods, fixed to a transversal carrier, support the assembly. This carrier is common to all three electrodes and constitutes the neutral point (start point). Displacement of the electrodes is effect-ed by a motor driven worm screw assembly. This is normally controlled by either an electrode drive motor, which is operated by a VVVF. A hand wheel is also provided for emergency manual operation. Starting times are adjustable from 8 to 150 seconds. Control and interlocking Limit switches are incorporated to control the electrode travel, and to energize the shorting contactor. This contactor is used to short circuit the residual resistance at the end of the motor start-up time. The electrode drive motor is operated by a VVVF drive. The drive includes overload protection, which prevents the overload of the motor in the case of a drive mechanism obstruction. An electrical ready to start interlock prevents a restart before the electrodes return to the initial maximum resistance position. If a power failure occurs during starting, the electrodes return automatically to the top (start) position when the supply is restored, so that a new start is possible.

EPMA DUO starter...............

For starting machines of large powers, or to reduce mechanical stress, it may some-times be preferable to use two motors which total the rated power rather than a single one. (Such as a dual drive mill) A dual EPMA starter is then used, to ensure synchronized acceleration of both motors. The EPMA DUO comprises two electrolyte tanks. The resistance values are equalized between the two tanks as they use common electrolyte, which is circulated between each tank. The electrode drive assemblies are mechanically coupled via a cardin shaft, so as to ensure complete synchronization of the movement of the two electrode assemblies. A single four or six pole shorting contactor is used to short circuit the residual resistances of each tank at the end of the motor run up time

Tank......................................
The tank is manufactured with 304L stainless steel from 2 to 5 mm. The tanks include lifting points suitable for hoist to facilitate loading, unloading and positioning. Tank capacity and dimensions are deter-mined by the motor rating. (See characteristics). The tank is filled through a access point in the side cover, and emptied through valves situated at the base of the unit. The tanks Ingress Protection rating is IP 54

Electrolyte.............................
Various concentrations of sodium carbon-ate are normally employed. A float switch monitors electrolyte level and thermostats control the electrolyte temperature. An RTD per tank with a 420 mA output can be fitted to monitor the tank temperature.

Heat exchanger starter.............

The EPMA starter is designed suitable for operating a slip ring (wound rotor) motor at variable speed. The starter is normally equipped with a heat exchanger for these applications. This can either be of the water-cooled type, (adequate supplies of cooling water must be available on site), or an air blast cooler can be used.

Electrode Assemblies...............
A set consists of three fixed and three moving electrodes. Polypropylene containers buckets shroud the fixed electrodes to provide adequate isolation between phases. The electrodes consist of con-centric cylinders, which mesh with each other in the fully lowered (minimum resistance) position. The electrodes are manufacture cast bronze. The fixed electrodes, located inside the insulating containers, are fed from an tinned insulated copper bar. Since this bar does not pass through the tank wall, there is no danger of electrolyte leakage. Current density of the electrodes is extremely low, typically 1 amp / cm resulting in extremely long electrode life

Maintenance........................
The starters typically require little more than a basic inspection every three months, and a major inspection once a year. The electrolyte solution has an anti evaporation oil which prevents the loss of electrolyte.

Control panels........................
The control gear is housed in two separate enclosures. The shorting contactor, complete with the rotor terminations is housed in the H.V enclosure. A separate panel is provided for the L.V controls. The H.V enclosure is normally included with the starter, but for higher ratings, it may be supplied in a separate control panel. The control panel can be fabricated out of mild steel to minimize costs, or it can be supplied in a 316 Stainless Steel enclosure.

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SPECIFICATIONS

A range of models are used for the control of various motor ratings for single and dual EPMA drives. The adjoining table provides a guide to rating the various models of EPMA starters. Many factors, such as the run up time, starts per hour, starting torque, operating temperature and a range of other factors effect the selection of the starter.

EPMA starters equipped with heat exchangers may be used with motors whose powers exceed those shown on the table. These are determined by the size of the heat exchanger. Maximum rotor voltage between slip rings: 3 500 V. Standard starting times : 20, 30, 40, 60, 80 and 130 seconds. These are preset during manufacture. The electrolyte level is monitored by float switch.

The temperature of the electrolyte is controlled by thermostats. Refer Below (1) Maximum rating for 1 start/hour or three consecutive starts from cold ST: starting torque -FLT: full load torque -The electrolyte is cooled by natural convection

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Quotation:
The following information is necessary so that we may provide an EPMA starter customised to your application. General operating conditions ........... ambient temperature maximum and minimum temperatures relative humidity height above sea level location For the motor(s).......................... power speed (rpm) stator voltage rotor voltage rotor current starting torque For starter with heat exchanger........ temperature of cooling water percentage slip for permanent slip speed variation and duty cycle Options....................................... speed control for electrode drive special paint cable entries anti-freeze control anti-condensation heaters

For the driven machine.................... type coupling method speed (rpm) moment of inertia number of consecutive starts setting up and installation requirements For the starter control gear........... protection IP 54 or 55 supply voltage control voltage

CSE-Uniserve Pty Limited was established in 1978 in Sydney, Australia as a distributor of quality electrical engineering equipment to the mining, process engineering, power generation, transmission, distribution and manufacturing industries. We have a strong international business with clients on all continents supported by offices in Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, New Zealand, and Canada.

If you require a simple method of secondary starting, the most advanced in Slip Energy Recovery system s, or Dual or single drive variable speed control; Uniserve can engineer a package to suit all of your requirements. CSE- Uniserve, with over 25 years of experience, can offer the best solution for your slip ring motor system. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sydney: Melbourne: Brisbane: Perth: Auckland:

+61 2 8853 4200. +61 3 9245 1700. +61 7 3861 7777. +61 8 6380 0900. +64 9 262 3290.

More information on CSE-Uniserve can be found at: www.cse-uniserve.com.au.

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