New Berlin, Wisc. -- To facilitate selecting enclosed starter components that are compliant with regulations and pass ratings tests, ABB has developed an enclosed starter product configurator for low-voltage applications. This online tool enables specifiers to source and configure ABB enclosed starters more efficiently and helps limit costs and lead times. By integrating a dedicated shipping and delivery system with the online tool, ABB has significantly reduced lead times for enclosed, low-voltage starter assemblies to as little as one week.
The online tool also guides the specifier through a few easy steps to configure made-to-order enclosed starters, which include product configuration to specific characteristics selected from the online database. Once products have been defined and selected, the online tool will generate the related drawings and manufacturing documentation to ensure that they will be configured and shipped on time.
The product selection includes enclosed, low-voltage starters that comply with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) requirements for motor starters. These starters use the latest technology, such as Series AF09 to AF750 and AFN00 to AFN5 contactors; PSE enclosed soft starters, which are the industry’s first compact soft starters with built-in electronic overload for motor protection; and torque control for pump management. These made-to-order enclosed motor starters typically ship within four days of receipt of order.
The online configurator tool is accessible to end users via the ABB website and to distributors on a password-protected website. A product menu is organized by category and includes photographs to illustrate each product. Projects can be saved in the distributor’s online account for future reference or editing. Projects also can be retrieved, updated or copied, and the end user can incorporate options and obtain pricing.
Creating a new project takes only a few steps, and enables the specifier to retrieve and apply price and freight information. Once a project is created, the end user can perform a variety of tasks, such as add items, recalculate pricing to accommodate changes in quantity and retrieve schematics, layout drawings and customer information. The end user also can create the documents needed for the project’s submission for approval or for a proposal to a prospective customer.
The online tool also enables the retrieval of existing projects in chronological order. Project retrieval enables the specifier to duplicate, delete, edit and revise existing projects. Once all of the project’s information is complete, the online tool can generate formal submissions to be downloaded or forwarded via email.
When specifiers have online tools that facilitate the sourcing and procurement of enclosed low-voltage starters, they are in a better position to select the correct product for the application, meet regulatory standards, reduce lead times and costs, and maintain an easily accessible record of configurations for future reference. The online tool can be used in conjunction with starter inventory held at a distributor location, which enables the distributor to add options for various functions, such as start/stop, hand-off-auto, pilot lights and overload relays, to name a few. The efficiency of using an online tool also reduces the risk of error while processing requisitions for enclosed low-voltage starters more quickly.
For more information, please visit www.abb.us/lowvoltage.