The power company requires reduced-voltage starting to limit its
line voltage dip. What type of starter is best for various-sized
motors ranging from 200 hp to 2000 hp? See how a comparison of
autotransformer and solid-state technologies drives the decision
process. Water pumping stations can be electrical challenges,
especially when constructed in a residential location. Take the
new Spring Mountain-Durango pumping facility in Las Vegas, for
example. The length and voltage of the utility's power feeder
circuit to the pumping station was a major problem. The utility
required reduced voltage (RV) starters to limit the effects of
voltage dip on other users of the feeder when the pumping
facility's 2000 hp motors started. This is a normal requirement
because a typical motor will draw about six times its full-load
current on an across-the-line (full voltage) start. Since the
full-load current of the 2000 hp motors was around 270A, an
across-the-line start would be expected to draw 1620A at 4.16
kV, or 540A on the