A Three Phase, 30Amp, Motor Starter....*TOGGLE SWITCH**

[MrSurly]

I HAD to post this here to get all of your opinions on this "starter".
I can't find a horsepower rating but it's *listed* so it must be GOOD, eh? Would any of you use this on, say, a 10HP 3ph motor?

(No, I'm NOT thinking of doing this, no use for it) just wanted to see what you think about it. No Overloads, but they call it a 'starter'. It appears to be possibly useful as a disconnect(?)

 

[u3b3rg33k]

if you're talking about something like a "Leviton MS303-DS 30 Amp 600 Volt, Three-Pole, Three Phase AC Motor Starter, Suitable as Motor Disconnect"

then yes, it's basically a switch rated to disconnect a big inductive load. try it with a regular switch rated for the same current and it'll work for a while, then possible weld itself together, or arc internally and not shut the motor down, etc.

look at the rating chart, and that'll tell you what size motor it's rated for at what voltage/# of phases.

 

[matt_i]

So, suppose you are running on 480vac, a 10hp motor is running around 15-20A full load.

In my mind, a conservative useage for a part with a rating of 30A @ 600V.

Its not fancy, but it will work just fine. It doesn't drop automatically so it would have to be monitored by a person who can shut it down, it can't be the only component in the circuit...fuses or circuit breaker will be required.

A version of that is inside most Miller welders, it in my Sync 250 for sure in a 2 pole status and the specs claim ~~100A @ 240vac max input amperage in full Star Killer Base Mode. Its not an exotic application.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Here's the catalog sheet for that manual motor starter: https://www.leviton.com/sites/REST/controller/LCDownloadController/download/Motor%20Starter%20Switches%20Product%20Bulletin_Q-313.pdf?docid=1470037650224


There's a cutaway view of the internals, I think the main thing that makes it safe to use as a motor starter is it has "internal barriers to prevent flash-over between phases" that you won't find in a regular light switch.


The catalog sheet also gives the horsepower ratings for the various models and voltages.

 

[larry_g]

I have a couple of those in my shop. They've done the job for many years, What's you beef?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I HAD to post this here to get all of your opinions on this "starter".
I can't find a horsepower rating but it's *listed* so it must be GOOD, eh? Would any of you use this on, say, a 10HP 3ph motor?

(No, I'm NOT thinking of doing this, no use for it) just wanted to see what you think about it. No Overloads, but they call it a 'starter'. It appears to be possibly useful as a disconnect(?)

Cant find the HP ratings?

Here ya go:

https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/ba/bae3e8d5-f780-4cb2-ac38-4b0f692dcf9d.pdf

As far as being rated for use on a 10HP motor, need to know voltage first...

If 240v, then no. Its only rated for 7.5hp @ 240v 3 phase

If 480v, then yes. Its rated for 15hp @ 480v 3 phase.