We traditionally have specified closed wye-delta transition starters for electric fire pumps on our projects. The fire pumps typically consist of horizontal split-case electric pumps between 500 and 1,500 gpm.
In the past, we've felt that the closed wye-delta starter offered a good balance of cost (less than soft-start but more than open delta wye) against the impact it has on backup generator sizing (helps generators size more than an open-wye delta but not as much as soft start). Is soft-start still significantly more expensive than delta-wye closed transition starters? I am hearing that the cost of soft-starters may have come down significantly and we try to be open-minded to what the industry is offering if we're in the wrong. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe
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We had this conversation with a pump supplier very recently, and were informed that the cost difference between the Wye-Delta Closed and the soft start controller is negligible these days, so we're specifying soft-start on all projects moving forward. I would recommend calling a couple pump suppliers in your area to confirm as pricing in my area (Hawaii) doesn't always align with what's available on the mainland.
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Rusty Scott
4/3/2019 10:28:16 am
I agree with what Colin L. says, I've been told by our controller/pump supplier it doesn't make a significant cost impact difference. What I've started doing is pulling my electrical engineer and pump/controller rep into a phone call meeting to see what works best for that building type/location/size, etc. Most of the time now it seems like soft start wins.
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