Magnetic starters
 

Could someone please explain to me the purpose of a magnetic starter on
an air compressor. I may be a little thick, but I can't see what
possible advantage there is. Seems to me that all you are doing is
putting a relay between the pressure switch relay and the motor. The
motor vendors seem to push those, but they are making profit, so I
don't trust them entirely.

Magnetic starters
 

On 13 Dec 2006 05:22:08 -0800, "Eric in North TX"
wrote:

Could someone please explain to me the purpose of a magnetic starter on
an air compressor. I may be a little thick, but I can't see what
possible advantage there is. Seems to me that all you are doing is
putting a relay between the pressure switch relay and the motor. The
motor vendors seem to push those, but they are making profit, so I
don't trust them entirely.

It gives you a great deal more control over the motor. The magnetic
coils will disconnect the circuit when power is removed. Power might
need to be removed because of overload or any other number of safety
devices. Nothing complicated about the benefit of magnetic starters.



My compressor needs something to remove the load while the motor
starts. Back pressure.

Magnetic starters
 

Eric in North TX wrote:
Could someone please explain to me the purpose of a magnetic starter on
an air compressor. I may be a little thick, but I can't see what
possible advantage there is. Seems to me that all you are doing is
putting a relay between the pressure switch relay and the motor. The
motor vendors seem to push those, but they are making profit, so I
don't trust them entirely.


Magnetic starters exist so that if the power goes off for whatever reason, the
on switch has to be manually reengaged before the machine turns on again.
Imagine a situation where you have a leak, the power goes off and doesn't come
back on. It's the last day before your vacation. Do you want to sit there
waiting for the power to come back on? Will you remember to turn off the
switch? Or will you leave for three weeks in the Bahamas only to come back to a
machine that's overheated or run itself out of oil?

I know it's a stretch but it's to keep the machine from just coming on after the
power had failed. Maybe you might be working on the compressor after it pops
off trying to get it going again and get your hand caught in the belt when it
suddenly energizes again?

Anyway, you get the idea. I'd like to have a magnetic starter on all my tools
but have to admit the need on the compressor seems to be less than a tablesaw.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com

Magnetic starters
 

Eric in North TX wrote:
Could someone please explain to me the purpose of a magnetic starter on
an air compressor. I may be a little thick, but I can't see what
possible advantage there is. Seems to me that all you are doing is
putting a relay between the pressure switch relay and the motor. The
motor vendors seem to push those, but they are making profit, so I
don't trust them entirely.

The most common reason that a motor starter is used is because the
motor control sensors, in this case, the pressure switch, cannot handle
the motor current. In most cases it's actually cheaper to use motor
starters than it is to provide sensors that can handle the motor
current. As stated by others, there is a safety factor also.

Magnetic starters
 

The most common reason that a motor starter is used is because the
motor control sensors, in this case, the pressure switch, cannot handle
the motor current. In most cases it's actually cheaper to use motor
starters than it is to provide sensors that can handle the motor
current. As stated by others, there is a safety factor also.

Ok, that makes sense.

Magnetic starters
 

On Wed, 13 Dec 2006 09:13:50 -0500, "Mortimer Schnerd, RN"
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com wrote:

Eric in North TX wrote:
Could someone please explain to me the purpose of a magnetic starter on
an air compressor. I may be a little thick, but I can't see what
possible advantage there is. Seems to me that all you are doing is
putting a relay between the pressure switch relay and the motor. The
motor vendors seem to push those, but they are making profit, so I
don't trust them entirely.


Magnetic starters exist so that if the power goes off for whatever reason, the
on switch has to be manually reengaged before the machine turns on again.
Imagine a situation where you have a leak, the power goes off and doesn't come
back on. It's the last day before your vacation. Do you want to sit there
waiting for the power to come back on? Will you remember to turn off the
switch? Or will you leave for three weeks in the Bahamas only to come back to a
machine that's overheated or run itself out of oil?

I know it's a stretch but it's to keep the machine from just coming on after the
power had failed. Maybe you might be working on the compressor after it pops
off trying to get it going again and get your hand caught in the belt when it
suddenly energizes again?

Anyway, you get the idea. I'd like to have a magnetic starter on all my tools
but have to admit the need on the compressor seems to be less than a tablesaw.

I'd like one on my computer. The power goes out and I come back to
find the computer has just the windows desktop, and nothing I had on
the screen. The only way I know the power went out is to look at my
digital clock to see it flashing 12:00. If that clock had a battery
(like it should), I would not know what happened and blame my
computer.

Magnetic starters
 

wrote in message
I'd like one on my computer. The power goes out and I come back to
find the computer has just the windows desktop, and nothing I had on
the screen. The only way I know the power went out is to look at my
digital clock to see it flashing 12:00.


Both my computers will stay off if power goes out. It avoids power surges
that way too.

Magnetic starters
 

"Edwin Pawlowski" writes:

wrote in message
I'd like one on my computer. The power goes out and I come back to
find the computer has just the windows desktop, and nothing I had on
the screen. The only way I know the power went out is to look at my
digital clock to see it flashing 12:00.

Both my computers will stay off if power goes out. It avoids power surges
that way too.

That's usually an option in the BIOS settings.

Magnetic starters
 

Decent UPS units have a software program that shuts your computer down
after a period without power. I have an energizer that I bought for $80
that works very well, so well you are tempted to work during outages,
but it beeps until you shut down, or if you aren't available it shuts
it down for you.

Magnetic starters
 

On 14 Dec 2006 06:47:22 -0800, "Eric in North TX"
wrote:


Decent UPS units have a software program that shuts your computer down
after a period without power. I have an energizer that I bought for $80
that works very well, so well you are tempted to work during outages,
but it beeps until you shut down, or if you aren't available it shuts
it down for you.

I've got a 12 volt car battery connected to mine and my wifes ups.
We just keep on computing when the power goes off.

Magnetic starters