An investment of €200,000 through the R&I Fusion Fund which is administered by the Malta Council for Science and Technology is seeing a team of engineers at Carlo Gavazzi teaming up with researchers at the University of Malta to produce a HDMS – A High Dynamic Motor Starter which starts single phase motors – widely used in air-conditioning and pumps – that eliminates the need of a start capacitor whilst still starting with less than 1.2 times the motor’s nominal current.
The primary aim of HDMS is to improve the longevity of domestic appliances, thereby reducing the waste generated by non-functional ones.
The results of HDMS were disseminated during a half day Public Engagement event held at the Chaplain’s Hall at the Esplora Planetarium Building, Kalkara.
The HDMS innovation, overcomes both issues of high starting current as well as the short start capacitor lifetime In fact, field application tests have shown that HDMS can start single phase motors with a 60 – 70% less current surge compared to a direct start. This innovation brings with it a number of benefits. Appliances will have a longer lifetime, it will bring less disturbance to the electrical grid, easy integration with off grid powered motor applications, savings on lower maintenance hence less machine stoppages and increase in the share of renewable energy sources which are included in the EU Renewable Energy Sources directive.
Typically single phase induction motors and compressors such as those used in heat pumps, water pumping and marine air-conditioning are problematic as during the start of these motors the large inrush current can reach levels of five to seven times the motor nominal current causing disturbance to the electrical grid or voltage sensitive equipment. The disturbance can cause voltage dips that can result in flickering of lights but can also disturb the operation of neighbouring equipment. Start capacitors are the weakest link in single phase soft starters and they tend to be the first components to fail as they are very sensitive to high temperature and voltage fluctuations.
Project leader Ing. Jason Demicoli called HDMS “a great journey of cooperation between Industry and Academia, bringing innovation to the market. Starting by understanding the pain of our customers, we embarked on a challenging project based on our engineers’ competence, to develop and successfully launch an innovative fully patented Single Phase Soft starter”.
“Without such collaborations,” Minister for Equality, Research and Innovation, Hon. Owen Bonnici remarked, “These Research and Innovation projects would be impossible and I cannot stress enough the importance for our country to keep investing in the strengthening of the research and innovation pillar which is the key for our economic growth and competitive impact.”
“Malta’s manufacturing industry is an important component of the Maltese economy and it is inspiring to see tangible results, including those achieved by the HDMS project consortium. The long-term goal is to strengthen and expand Malta’s high-value manufacturing cluster by developing an international standing not only as a production base, but also as a testing ground for innovation. The Malta Council for Science and Technology, in its public capacity, strives to foster a social ethos driven by research and innovation so that this sector continues to contribute to the economic growth of our country. This is achieved through FUSION, the Council’s portfolio of funding programmes, where researchers and their unremitting pursuit of innovative ideas come to fruition and make a valuable contribution to the sustainability of the local economy”, said MCST Chairman, Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.
Follow the event again below: