Choosing the Right Soft Starter for Marine

Choosing the right soft starter for marine applications is essential to ensure smooth motor operation, reduce electrical stress, and protect onboard systems. In this article, we explore the critical role soft starters play in shipboard and offshore environments, and how Solcon-IGEL’s marine-certified solutions – HRVS-DN, RVS-DN, MPS3000, MPS6, and MIP6 – deliver reliable, efficient motor control and protection in even the harshest conditions.

Reliable Motor Starting Solutions for Harsh Marine Environments

In the demanding world of marine operations, where system reliability, space constraints, and harsh environmental conditions are daily challenges, selecting the right motor starting solution is essential. Whether it’s for propulsion, ballast pumping, HVAC, or firefighting systems, a robust soft starter ensures optimal motor performance without compromising onboard power stability.

This article explores how to choose the right soft starter for marine applications and how Solcon-IGEL’s marine-approved product line delivers safe, efficient, and reliable motor control at sea.

Why Soft Starters Are Essential for Ships and Offshore Platforms

Marine electrical systems typically operate on isolated power supplies where sudden voltage drops from motor inrush currents can disrupt other critical equipment. Soft starters limit the initial current surge and offer smooth, controlled motor acceleration and deceleration.

Key Benefits of Soft Starters in Marine Environments:

• Reduce mechanical stress on motors and driven equipment
• Minimize electrical disturbances in isolated onboard power networks
• Lower maintenance and repair costs
• Extend motor lifespan
• Ensure safe operation in mission-critical applications

Key Considerations When Choosing a Soft Starter for Marine Applications

To ensure long-term performance and safety, a marine-grade soft starter must be:

Certified by major classification societies
Resistant to salt spray, vibration, temperature extremes, and humidity
Compact and modular to fit tight spaces in engine rooms or E-houses
Flexible in voltage range, load type, and system integration

Solcon-IGEL’s Marine Soft Starter Solutions

Solcon-IGEL offers a comprehensive range of soft starters and protection systems tailored for marine use, ensuring consistent and reliable operation across various shipboard and offshore systems.

HRVS-DN – Medium Voltage Heavy-Duty Soft Starter

Ideal for: Main propulsion, large seawater pumps, compressors

• Voltage range: 2300–15000V
• Rated for high-inertia loads and heavy-duty applications
• Designed for harsh environments – marine-certified enclosure available
• Integrated protection, logging, and advanced control algorithms
• Used in commercial vessels, FPSOs, and navy ships globally

RVS-DN – Low Voltage Soft Starter

Ideal for: Fire pumps, bilge pumps, ventilation fans, HVAC

• Voltage range: 220–690V
• High torque start with internal bypass contactor
• IP-rated for marine and offshore conditions
• Built-in protections: overload, phase loss, short circuit
• Space-saving, panel-mount design for compact electrical rooms

MPS3000 – Motor Protection Relay System

Ideal for: Critical motor protection in propulsion and auxiliary systems

• Advanced protection for MV and LV motors
• Real-time thermal modelling, fault logging, and remote diagnostics
• IEC 61850-ready for shipboard digital communication systems
• Marine-hardened hardware with customizable I/O
• Used in both retrofit and new ship automation projects

MPS6 – Compact Motor Protection Relay

Ideal for: HVAC, auxiliary pumps, and small motors

• Combines protection, control, and monitoring in one compact unit
• Quick setup and easy integration into marine control panels
• Supports Modbus, Profibus, and Ethernet
• Accurate real-time status and trip diagnostics

MIP6 – Protection & Monitoring System for MCCs

Ideal for: Marine motor control centers and switchboards

• Modular protection and control for multiple motor feeders
• Centralized display and configuration for efficient fleet monitoring
• Designed for marine power distribution and automation systems
• Enhances motor uptime with detailed alarm history and trends

Soft Starters Built for the Sea: Why Choose Solcon-IGEL?

Solcon-IGEL has over 40 years of experience in delivering high-performance soft starters and protection systems to the marine and offshore industries. Our solutions are:

Field-proven in thousands of vessels worldwide
Designed to meet marine safety and performance standards
Engineered for easy integration into new builds and retrofits
Backed by global service and technical support

Ready to Upgrade Your Vessel’s Motor Control?

Choosing the right soft starter or protection relay is critical for efficient, safe, and compliant marine operations. Whether you’re managing a naval fleet, oil tanker, or offshore rig, Solcon-IGEL delivers the right solution for every marine challenge.