Spec Sheet

Page 4
SureStart Module
Introduction
The SureStart Series soft-starter was the fi rst of its
kind invented by Hyper Engineering over a decade ago
in Wollongong, Australia. It was originally invented for
use in the residential heating, ventilation, and air-
conditioning (HVAC) industry in Australia and Europe. In
recent years, Hyper has expanded SureStart technology
into commercial HVAC by offering 3 phase versions
in commercial voltages. Whether it is for residential
or commercial applications, SureStart’s continued
success worldwide is a testament to its reliability and
performance that can be rivaled by none other.
SureStart
SureStart Series is the original single-phase soft starter
specifi cally targeted to reduce light fl icker caused by
the startup of fi xed speed permanent split-capacitor
motors (PSC). These motors are often of the scroll
compressor types which are commonly used in air-
conditioning and heat pump applications. The SureStart
has the latest in innovations from Hyper Engineering
that includes several new features:
• 60-70% reduction in direct on-line (DOL) or
in-rush current.
• Sophisticated under voltage protection
• Motor reversal protection.
• Self-adjusting up to nominal 7 hp for optimal start
performance.
• 50/60 Hz compatible.
• ETL, CE, EMC, and RoHs compliant.
• Tolerant to “dirty power” conditions.
• Versions available for retrofi t installations or OEM
production use.
• Fault LED
• Internal Current Limiting
Optional Custom SureStart Versions:
(Consult Hyper Engineering)
• Non air-conditioning applications (ie. submersible
pumps, gate automation)
• Non-equalized pressure (compressors without bleed
type expansion valves)
Background
In air conditioning and heat pump applications,
energy is moved through the air conditioner by a
compressor which is an electrically driven pump that
compresses refrigerant as it pumps to a heat exchanger.
Compressors are the heart of air conditioning equipment
so it is important to protect them against failure.
Inside of every compressor is an electric motor that
draws a signifi cant electrical current at startup. This
startup current is often referred to as the instantaneous
current, in-rush current, locked-rotor amps (LRA), or
direct-on-line (DOL) current. In-rush current on your
home air conditioner is generally between 5-8 times
higher than the current consumed by the compressor
during normal operation. As the name suggests, in-rush
current is very brief lasting for a fraction of a second
until the motor begins operating at normal speed. This
time period may appear trivial; however, it is the cause
of many issues for homeowners, power companies, and
equipment manufacturers. Here are some common
problems created by high in-rush current.
• Flickering of lights
• Nuisance trips on safety protection equipment
• Disrupts sensitive electronics such as computers
• Increased stress on the motor which reduces the
reliability of the air conditioning equipment.
• Higher installation cost due to insuffi cient
transformer sizing
• Increased noise and vibration at compressor startup
Most contractors install hard start kits to eliminate
these problems. Unfortunately, hard start kits don’t
provide a complete solution to the problem. Hard start
kits do not reduce the startup current but only the
startup time which may give a perceived improvement
in light fl icker, but still stress the compressor during
every start. Mechanical shock is also increased to the
compressor by use of a hard start device. Installing
a SureStart corrects these problems by signifi cantly
reducing the start current, optimizing the start time
to the compressor size, power supply and loading
while providing vital protection to the compressor, and
promoting improved reliability at startup.