Product Overview

The Schneider ATS22C48Q Soft Starter for Asynchronous Motor is an Altistart 22 motor-starting device for three-phase asynchronous motors used in fixed-speed industrial machinery. Its primary job is to manage how the motor starts and stops, rather than to continuously regulate motor speed during normal operation.

In a conventional direct-on-line starter, the motor is connected to the supply with little control over the initial acceleration. For machines with high inertia or mechanically sensitive transmission systems, that sudden application of torque can create unnecessary stress on couplings, shafts, belts, gearboxes, and driven equipment.

The ATS22C48Q provides a controlled starting interface between the electrical supply and the motor. This makes it suitable for motor-driven equipment where smoother acceleration is more important than variable-speed operation.

Typical applications include pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, and other industrial machines using asynchronous motors. The correct application should be determined from the motor’s rated current, supply arrangement, starting duty, mechanical load, and required acceleration behavior.

Technical Specifications

The dimensions and weight above are the supplied product data. For electrical replacement or new installation, the motor nameplate information and the complete starter configuration should be checked before selecting the equipment.

Product Features

The ATS22C48Q belongs to the higher-power range of the Altistart 22 family and is intended for applications where conventional direct starting can produce substantial electrical and mechanical stress.

Key characteristics include:

• Schneider Electric Altistart 22 soft starter
• Intended for three-phase asynchronous motors
• Controlled motor acceleration
• Controlled motor deceleration
• Fixed-speed motor application
• Suitable for industrial motor feeders
• Appropriate for applications requiring reduced starting shock
• Can be integrated with upstream motor protection
• Can work with contactors and PLC-based control systems
• Suitable for pumps, fans, conveyors, and compressors
• Dimensions of 455 × 304 × 339.7 mm
• Stated weight of 50 kg

The actual performance of a soft starter depends heavily on the connected motor and load. A high-inertia machine can require a different starting profile from a lightly loaded motor even when the motor ratings appear similar.

Working Principle

The ATS22C48Q controls the motor’s transition from standstill to normal operating speed by regulating the electrical conditions applied during startup.

A simplified motor-control path is:

Three-Phase AC Supply → Protection → ATS22C48Q → Asynchronous Motor → Mechanical Load

When the controller issues a start command, the soft starter manages the initial motor acceleration rather than applying the full starting condition abruptly.

As the motor gains speed, the mechanical system gradually moves from a stationary state toward its normal operating condition. This is particularly useful for machines with substantial rotating mass or equipment where sudden torque can create mechanical shock.

For example, a large fan may require considerable time and torque to accelerate its rotating assembly. A conveyor may have a loaded belt, gearbox, and multiple rollers that all need to begin moving together. A pump may also benefit from a more controlled transition during startup.

The soft starter can also be used to manage the stopping process where the application benefits from a controlled reduction in motor operation.

Unlike a variable frequency drive, the ATS22C48Q is primarily intended for starting and stopping fixed-speed motors. It is not normally selected when continuous speed adjustment is a process requirement.

Role in a Motor Starting System

The ATS22C48Q acts as the controlled-starting section of a conventional industrial motor feeder.

A typical arrangement is:

Incoming Supply → Circuit Protection → Switching / Isolation → ATS22C48Q → Motor → Driven Equipment

Each component has a different responsibility. The protection device handles the feeder’s protective function, the contactor or switching equipment provides the required switching or isolation, and the soft starter manages the motor’s starting behavior.

The PLC or other controller can provide the start/stop command, while the motor converts the supplied electrical energy into mechanical torque for the connected machine.

This architecture is especially useful when a machine needs fixed-speed operation but controlled acceleration. It avoids the additional speed-control functions of a variable frequency drive when those functions are not required by the process.

Industrial Applications

The ATS22C48Q can be applied to industrial equipment where a three-phase asynchronous motor requires controlled starting or stopping.

Application selection should take account of the motor’s operating current, load inertia, number of starts, starting duration, and environmental conditions.

Installation and Maintenance

The ATS22C48Q should be installed as part of a properly engineered motor-control cabinet. Because the soft starter is installed in the motor power circuit, both electrical protection and cabinet thermal management need to be considered.

The installation process should begin with verification of the motor and feeder rather than simply mounting the starter and connecting the cables.

Recommended checks include:

• Confirm the complete ATS22C48Q part number.
• Check the motor nameplate data.
• Verify the incoming three-phase supply.
• Confirm the motor connection arrangement.
• Check upstream protection.
• Verify power-cable sizing and termination.
• Inspect all power terminals for secure connections.
• Confirm control wiring and start/stop commands.
• Check cabinet ventilation.
• Consider heat generated during normal operation.
• Verify the expected starting frequency.
• Evaluate the mechanical inertia of the driven load.
• Perform a controlled startup test.
• Monitor motor current during acceleration.
• Check stopping behavior after commissioning.

For a large motor, repeated unsuccessful starts can place considerable thermal stress on both the motor and starter. If acceleration problems occur, investigate the complete system instead of assuming that the soft starter is defective.

Related Components

The ATS22C48Q normally operates together with several components within the motor-control system.

The soft starter should be coordinated with the protection and switching devices rather than treated as a standalone motor-control component.

Recommended Related Models

The following Schneider products can be considered when evaluating an Altistart 22 installation or a replacement motor-starting solution.

The Altistart 22 family is appropriate where controlled motor starting and stopping are the primary requirements. The ATS130 range can be considered for applications matching its electrical ratings and functional requirements, while the ATS480 provides a broader set of motor-management functions for more demanding installations.

When replacing an existing unit, current rating, supply voltage, motor connection, starting duty, cabinet arrangement, and control interface should be checked together.

Key Advantages

• Schneider Electric Altistart 22 soft starter.
• Intended for three-phase asynchronous motor systems.
• Controls motor acceleration during startup.
• Supports controlled stopping.
• Reduces abrupt mechanical torque during motor starting.
• Suitable for fixed-speed industrial machinery.
• Can be integrated with conventional motor protection and switching equipment.
• Suitable for pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, and other motor-driven equipment.
• Supports applications where direct-on-line starting is unsuitable.
• Dimensions of 455 × 304 × 339.7 mm.
• Stated weight of 50 kg.

Technical FAQs

What makes the ATS22C48Q suitable for larger fixed-speed motor applications?

The ATS22C48Q belongs to the Altistart 22 soft-starter family and is intended for applications where controlled motor acceleration is required. In larger motor systems, limiting the severity of the starting transition can be important for both the electrical feeder and the mechanical transmission.

How does the mechanical load affect ATS22C48Q selection?

The motor’s electrical rating alone does not describe the complete starting requirement. A high-inertia fan, loaded conveyor, or compressor can require a substantially different acceleration profile from a lightly loaded machine. Starting duration, load inertia, number of starts, and required torque should therefore be considered during selection.

What cabinet considerations are important for an ATS22C48Q installation?

The cabinet must provide suitable space for the starter, power connections, cable routing, and heat dissipation. Ventilation is particularly important because the soft starter is part of a power circuit and contributes to the cabinet’s overall thermal load. The surrounding equipment should also be arranged so that hot air does not become trapped around temperature-sensitive components.

Can the ATS22C48Q replace a variable frequency drive in a speed-control application?

Not generally. The two technologies serve different purposes. The ATS22C48Q is primarily used to control motor starting and stopping while the motor operates at its normal fixed speed. A variable frequency drive should be considered when the process requires continuous speed adjustment, speed-dependent torque control, or frequent changes in operating speed.