Product Overview

The Schneider ATS22C48S6 Soft Starter for Asynchronous Motor is an Altistart 22 soft starter used to manage the starting and stopping of three-phase asynchronous motors in fixed-speed industrial applications.

Its main purpose is to make the transition from standstill to normal motor operation more controlled than direct-on-line starting. This is especially useful when a motor drives equipment with considerable inertia or when sudden starting torque can place unnecessary stress on mechanical transmission components.

The ATS22C48S6 can be integrated into motor feeders serving pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, blowers, and process machinery. The soft starter sits between the electrical supply and motor, while upstream protection, switching equipment, the motor, and the driven machine complete the overall system.

As part of the Altistart 22 family, the ATS22C48S6 is intended for applications where the motor normally runs at a fixed speed. If the process requires continuous speed adjustment during operation, a variable frequency drive would normally be a more appropriate solution.

Technical Specifications

The supplied physical specifications are 455 × 304 × 339.7 mm with a stated weight of 50 kg. Electrical selection should additionally be based on the motor nameplate, supply conditions, starting duty, and mechanical load.

Product Features

The ATS22C48S6 is built around the requirements of industrial motor starting, particularly where reducing the severity of the starting transition is more important than regulating the motor’s running speed.

Key characteristics include:

• Schneider Electric Altistart 22 soft starter
• Designed for three-phase asynchronous motors
• Controlled motor acceleration
• Controlled motor stopping
• Intended for fixed-speed motor applications
• Suitable for industrial motor-control systems
• Helps reduce mechanical shock during startup
• Helps manage motor starting conditions
• Compatible with conventional motor protection arrangements
• Suitable for PLC-controlled motor systems
• Applicable to pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, and blowers
• Dimensions of 455 × 304 × 339.7 mm
• Stated weight of 50 kg

The soft starter’s suitability depends on the actual motor and machine duty. Starting duration, motor current, load inertia, ambient conditions, and the expected number of starts should be considered during system design.

Working Principle

The ATS22C48S6 manages the electrical conditions applied to the asynchronous motor during acceleration and stopping.

A simplified power path is:

Three-Phase AC Supply → Motor Protection → ATS22C48S6 → Asynchronous Motor → Mechanical Load

When the motor receives a start command, the soft starter controls the transition into normal operation instead of subjecting the motor and mechanical system to an abrupt direct connection.

This can be valuable when the driven equipment has significant inertia. For example, a large fan must accelerate its rotating assembly, while a conveyor may need to move a loaded belt through a gearbox and multiple rollers. Applying full starting conditions immediately can produce a sharp torque response throughout the mechanical transmission.

The soft starter allows the acceleration process to be managed more progressively. Depending on the application, controlled stopping can also be useful where an abrupt loss of motor torque could disturb the machine or connected process.

Once the motor reaches normal operating conditions, the application remains fundamentally a fixed-speed motor system. This is the main distinction between an Altistart soft starter and a variable frequency drive.

Role in a Motor Starting System

The ATS22C48S6 acts as the controlled motor-starting stage within a conventional industrial power circuit.

A typical arrangement is:

Incoming AC Supply → Circuit Protection → Switching / Isolation → ATS22C48S6 → Motor → Driven Machine

The surrounding components each perform a separate function. Protection devices address electrical faults, switching equipment handles isolation or operational switching, the soft starter manages motor acceleration and stopping, and the motor supplies mechanical torque to the load.

A PLC or other automation controller can issue the start and stop commands through the control circuit.

This arrangement is particularly useful when a machine needs a controlled startup but does not require variable-speed operation. It can therefore be a practical alternative to using a variable frequency drive solely to reduce starting stress.

Industrial Applications

The ATS22C48S6 can be applied to fixed-speed industrial machinery using three-phase asynchronous motors.

The same soft starter can experience very different operating conditions depending on the machine. A centrifugal pump, high-inertia fan, and loaded conveyor should therefore be evaluated according to their individual starting requirements.

Installation and Maintenance

The ATS22C48S6 should be installed in a suitable motor-control cabinet with sufficient space for power connections, ventilation, inspection, and maintenance.

The physical size of the unit should be considered during cabinet layout, particularly where other motor-control equipment or heat-generating components are installed nearby.

Recommended checks include:

• Confirm the complete ATS22C48S6 part number.
• Verify the motor nameplate current.
• Check the incoming three-phase supply.
• Confirm the motor winding connection.
• Verify upstream circuit protection.
• Check power-cable sizing.
• Inspect power terminals for secure connections.
• Confirm control wiring and start/stop signals.
• Check cabinet ventilation and heat dissipation.
• Review the required starting frequency.
• Evaluate the inertia and load torque of the driven machine.
• Monitor motor current during commissioning.
• Perform a controlled acceleration test.
• Check the stopping sequence under normal load.
• Inspect terminals periodically for signs of overheating.

If the motor fails to reach operating speed, the investigation should cover both the electrical and mechanical sides. Incorrect motor wiring, excessive load, insufficient starting torque, supply problems, or unsuitable starting parameters can all produce similar symptoms.

Related Components

The ATS22C48S6 is normally installed as one element of a complete motor-control system.

The protection, switching, starter, motor, and driven equipment should be treated as one coordinated system during commissioning and troubleshooting.

Recommended Related Models

When selecting related Schneider motor-control equipment, the appropriate model depends on motor current, supply voltage, starting duty, required control functions, and installation conditions.

The ATS22C48Q is a particularly relevant comparison within the same Altistart 22 family, but the two part numbers should not be treated as interchangeable without checking the electrical configuration of the installation.

For applications requiring more extensive motor-management functions, the ATS480 family may be considered. For simpler motor-starting requirements, the ATS130 range may also be evaluated where its ratings and functions are appropriate.

Key Advantages

• Schneider Electric Altistart 22 soft starter.
• Designed for three-phase asynchronous motor applications.
• Provides controlled motor acceleration.
• Supports controlled stopping.
• Reduces abrupt torque during motor startup.
• Suitable for fixed-speed industrial machinery.
• Can be integrated with PLC-based control systems.
• Works with conventional motor protection and switching components.
• Suitable for pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, and blowers.
• Appropriate for applications where direct-on-line starting is undesirable.
• Dimensions of 455 × 304 × 339.7 mm.
• Stated weight of 50 kg.

Technical FAQs

How should the ATS22C48S6 be selected for a high-inertia machine?

The motor’s rated current is an important starting point, but it is not the only selection criterion. The inertia of the driven equipment, required acceleration time, starting frequency, load torque, and expected operating cycle should also be evaluated. A high-inertia fan or conveyor can impose substantially greater starting demands than a lightly loaded machine.

What is the purpose of coordinating the ATS22C48S6 with an upstream contactor?

The soft starter and contactor serve different functions. The ATS22C48S6 manages the motor’s starting and stopping behavior, while the contactor can provide operational switching or electrical isolation as required by the motor-control architecture. Their control logic should be coordinated so that the starter is not disconnected unexpectedly during a normal starting sequence.

Why is cabinet ventilation important for a large Altistart 22 installation?

The soft starter is part of a high-power electrical circuit and contributes heat to the enclosure. If the cabinet cannot dissipate this heat effectively, internal temperature can rise and affect the operating environment of the starter and nearby equipment. Cabinet airflow, ambient temperature, equipment spacing, and the total heat load should therefore be considered together.

What symptoms indicate that the motor problem may be mechanical rather than caused by the ATS22C48S6?

If the starter receives the correct command and the electrical supply is normal but the motor accelerates slowly, stalls, or draws abnormal current, the driven equipment should also be inspected. Excessive friction, a seized bearing, an overloaded conveyor, a blocked pump, or other mechanical resistance can prevent normal acceleration even when the soft starter is functioning correctly.