A soft starter is an electronic device installed on your HVAC system to control how the compressor starts up. Instead of allowing the compressor to start at full electrical load instantly, it gradually ramps power to the motor over a fraction of a second.
This reduces the inrush current (startup amperage spike) that typically occurs when compressors start, especially in heat pumps and air conditioners with fixed-speed compressors.
How it works
At startup, HVAC compressors can briefly draw 5–8 times their normal running amperage. A soft starter limits this initial surge by temporarily controlling voltage and current, then transitioning the compressor to normal operation once it is running smoothly.
A soft starter is an electronic device installed on your HVAC system to control how the compressor starts up. Instead of allowing the compressor to start at full electrical load instantly, it gradually ramps power to the motor over a fraction of a second.
This reduces the inrush current (startup amperage spike) that typically occurs when compressors start, especially in heat pumps and air conditioners with fixed-speed compressors.
How it works
At startup, HVAC compressors can briefly draw 5–8 times their normal running amperage. A soft starter limits this initial surge by temporarily controlling voltage and current, then transitioning the compressor to normal operation once it is running smoothly.