FasTec Motor Starter wins Prestigious Engineering Award

25 November 2010

Miramar based company FasTec have taken out the Energy Systems category at the 2010 New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards for their 1to3 Electric Motor Starter.

The FasTec technique enables three-phase electric motors to be started and run on single-phase power supplies without causing significant in-rush current. Energy stored in capacitors creates transient magnetic fields on start-up. This generates torque and spin the motor up to a pre-determined speed before the motor is connected to the power supply. The transition is managed to maintain torque and minimise current in-rush. Motor overheating is less likely and distortions back to the power supply are eliminated.  

As a consequence, three-phase motors may be applied on single-phase power supplies much more widely. Three-phase motors are usually smaller, less expensive, and lighter than a single-phase motor of the same power output rating, The FasTec starter offers high starting torque, enabling motors to start from smaller generating sets, and to be fuse-protected. These features make the starter suitable for use in developing countries or those with significant rural supplies. It offers significant export potential.

The Award was presented at a black tie function in Wellington, hosted by Linda Clark and attended by more than 350 people.

Initiated in 2005, the New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards are the premier awards for the engineering professionals of New Zealand. The awards are presented in two major areas: Awards Recognising People, that recognise leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and our young engineers; and Project and Product Awards, which recognise achievement in the various industry areas, together with a Supreme Award for the best of the Project and Product winners.