Abstract: The invention relates to a motor starter (10) for an electric motor (20), wherein the motor starter (10) comprises a first and a second phase (12, 14). Said motor starter and electric motor each have an associated switching apparatus (29, 31) which each have an electromechanical switch (22, 24) and a semiconductor switch (23, 25) connected to form a bypass circuit. The electromechanical switches (22, 24) and the semiconductor switches (23, 25) are designed to be separately operable by a control unit (40), and the first and the second phase (12, 14) are connected to a passive overcurrent protection means (30). The passive overcurrent protection means (30) has a fuse (32, 34, 36) for each phase. According to the invention, a measuring apparatus (42, 44) is arranged in at least one of the phases (12, 14) along the phase direction directly between the passive overcurrent protection means (30) and at least one of the switching apparatuses (29, 31).

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor starter (10) for an electric motor (20), wherein the motor starter (10) comprises a first and a second phase (12, 14). Said motor starter and electric motor each have an associated switching apparatus (29, 31) which each have an electromechanical switch (22, 24) and a semiconductor switch (23, 25) connected to form a bypass circuit. The electromechanical switches (22, 24) and the semiconductor switches (23, 25) are designed to be separately operable by a control unit (40), and the first and the second phase (12, 14) are connected to a passive overcurrent protection means (30). The passive overcurrent protection means (30) has a fuse (32, 34, 36) for each phase. According to the invention, a measuring apparatus (42, 44) is arranged in at least one of the phases (12, 14) along the phase direction directly between the passive overcurrent protection means (30) and at least one of the switching apparatuses (29, 31).

Abstract: A new control method is used to regulate the reactive power consumption of an electric arc furnace. Active and reactive power values are used space vector variables and serve as control parameter of the power source, which consists of a furnace transformer with current controllers and a booster transformer. This method helps maintain constant reactive power consumption, reduce flicker at the point of common coupling and minimize the disturbances in the power system.

Abstract: An electronic-controlled furnace transformer, which enables the reactive power, consumed by the furnace to be kept constant, thus reducing flicker. This is achieved by associating with a conventional power system of the electric arc furnace with current controllers and a booster transformer. By regulating the (reactive) power input with the help of the new control method, any disturbances in the power system can be reduced to a minimum.

Abstract: A power source for an arc furnace having an intermediate circuit transformer including a magnetic decoupled booster transformer and an AC main-driven converter. Such a power source comprises a current controller and a zero voltage switch. The current controller and the zero voltage switch are integrated in the intermediate circuit transformer. The zero voltage switch short-circuits the main reactance of the booster transformer whenever the current controller faces a current cut off and is blocked.