Appleton PlexPower Motor Starter

Oct. 12, 2018
Emerson's motor starter requires no external conduit or cable seals.

Appleton PlexPower is a cost-effective, easy-to-install, and simple-to-operate alternative to traditional cast and bolted motor starters. Designed for hazardous, wet or corrosive locations such as oil refineries and chemical plants, the Appleton PlexPower motor starter provides electrical apparatus protection combined with the convenience and savings of off-the-shelf components.

 

The motor starters deliver savings up to 73% compared to the total cost of ownership of traditional cast and bolted motor starters. Because they are fabricated from lightweight 316L stainless steel instead of heavy-cast aluminum, PlexPower requires fewer people and less labor time to install. Also, there is no need for conduit seals or cable glands like with traditional cast and bolted motor starters. Plus, the starters are not limited only to switch rack mounting.

 

The motor starters offer fast installation by increasing mounting flexibility with a slimmer footprint and flexible, modular design. They can be configured in single or multiple motor starter designs to reduce space requirements in crowded control rooms while meeting exact specifications. In addition, the starters can be mounted standalone at various locations throughout a facility, giving additional convenience while saving valuable space and cabling costs.

 

Accessibility to enclosures is one of the biggest challenges for end-users installing, operating, and maintaining hazardous area motor starters. To access internal components in the traditional cast and bolted enclosures, up to 70 bolts must be loosened and then tightened again, leading to extended production downtime and potentially greater risk to arc flash accidents. Plus, improperly torqued or missing bolts can be dangerous and cause accidents or safety risks. The PlexPower is designed for easier accessibility to be quickly opened with a few quarter-turn latches rather than multiple bolts. Only standard tools are needed to open and close the enclosure, which means production lines can be up and running in less time and with greater profitability.

 

The Appleton PlexPower Motor Starter modular design improves worker safety by limiting workers' exposure to high levels of incident energy when installed close to the application. Component level protection means every component has its own module with its own flame path. The result is fewer workplace accidents, a diminished risk of damaging the flame path, and greater flexibility and convenience for the end-user.

 

Appleton PlexPower Motor Starters are available with up to a NEMA 1 size starter and have NEC and CEC Certification for Class I, Division 2 or Class I, Zone 1 and Type 4X applications.

  • Full voltage, combination and non-combination, single and multiple
  • These units provide disconnecting means, circuit protection, and motor running protection
  • Ideal for use in areas where hazardous materials are handled or stored such as petroleum plants, chemical plants, refineries, wastewater treatment plants, paper and pulp industries, and other process facilities
  • Ideal for placement in wet, corrosive environments or where flammable gases or vapors are likely to be present
  • No external conduit or cable seals required thus making installations faster, easier, and less costly
  • Feature a ground-breaking design that uses individual breaker, contactor and motor starter housings to minimize the downtime and costs associated with maintenance in hazardous locations
  • Accommodate non-proprietary off-the-shelf breakers, contactors and motor starters, making replacements readily available from multiple sources
  • The lighter weight contactor and motor starter enclosure with quarter turn latches, can be quickly opened in the field for easier servicing
  • Gland plate at the bottom of enclosure can be easily field punched for cable or conduit entries. Additional gland plates available for sides and top can be ordered with the panelboard
  • Standard configuration includes external actuation and a solid door
  • For multiple contactor or motor starter panels, each contactor or motor starter can be individually padlocked in either the "On" or "Off" position
  • Ground and/or neutral bars, external/internal ground lug and drain/breather provided as standard