Allen-Bradley SMC-50 smart motor controller with internal bypass

The Allen-Bradley SMC-50 smart motor controller with internal bypass is intended to bring greater operational control over motor starts and stops.

Soft starters traditionally use solid-state, silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) to control voltage to the motor during start-up, runtime and shutdown. The reduced torque and current slowly introduces energy to the motor, mitigating electrical and mechanical stress to the application. If these SCRs remain in the circuit once the motor is up to speed, the heat generated by these devices leads to electrical inefficiency.

With the smart motor controller, users have the option of choosing the proper power structure for their application. For operations that run over an extended period, built-in internal bypass allows users to shift from solid-state switches to bypass contactors. By switching over to the bypass circuit, users can save on energy by minimising excess heat build-up.

The smart motor controller with internal bypass also provides access to several communication modules, including EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet networks.