FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

		Why buy a BOOSTERT when there are cheaper alternatives?
		How do I size a BOOSTERT?
		Why is Power Factor important?
		What maintenance is required?
		Why is voltage balancing important?

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How do I size a BoosterT?

Sizing a BOOSTERT is as easy as 1 to 3.

1. Determine input single phase voltage and required three phase output voltage. (208V,230V,460V)
2. Determine the total HP, KW rating of the motor(s) or resistive load(s) you wish to start OR for a welder determine the output current in amps.
3. Select appropriate BOOSTERT from our available models here and contact us with any questions queries or to place your order.

The BOOSTERT is guaranteed to start the equivalent frame sized application*. Because boost mode will provide 600% overcurrent, the BOOSTERT will start any application, and has the ability to start numerous applications simultaneously, even under extreme load.

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Why is Power Factor important?

Power factor is a measure of how efficiently current is converted into useful work. A power factor of one or "unity power factor" means the amount of current drawn from the utility equals the current required to run the motor. A poor power factor (generally 0.75 or less) means that utilities have to supply more current than the motor requires to do the same amount of work. In so doing, the utilities incur more line losses and also must have larger capacity equipment in place than would be otherwise necessary. As a result, an industrial facility/end user will be charged a penalty if its power factor is much lower than 0.9. Poor power factor will cause power losses in your supply system leading to voltage drops, which may cause overheating or premature failure of motors. The BOOSTER™ will operate above 0.9 power factor at all loads above 50% rated.

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What maintenance is required?

The BOOSTER™ is maintenance free and has an expected life of 50,000 hours, equivalent to 24 years (8 hr day, 5 day week, 52 week year). The BOOSTER™ is built with epoxy filled, self-healing polypropylene capacitors which will never dry out and fail. Motor bearings are oversized and greased for life. The BOOSTER™ box is powder coated for durability, and no contactors or on/off switches are used to open and close and wear. Switching at zero current ensures no excess heat is generated to damage or reduce the life of components and EMI filters protect the electronics from line disturbances, brownouts/blackouts, short circuits and other power fluctuations.

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Why is voltage balancing important?

Voltage unbalance degrades the performance and shortens the life of three-phase motors. When the line voltages applied to a three-phase induction motor are not equal, unbalanced currents out of proportion to the voltages will result. As a result, the temperature rise of the motor will be greater, the motor will run inefficiently and the rated horsepower of the motor must be derated. Operation of a motor above 5% unbalance condition is not recommended. Sensitive electronic equipment (such as CNC machines, drives etc.) will not tolerate unbalanced voltages. The Booster maintains voltages within 5% offset at all loads and better than 3% offset at average load.

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