VFD’s & Soft Starts

VFDs & Soft Starts Distribution

At Automation Electric & Controls, we supply a broad range of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and soft starters designed to enhance motor control, reduce wear, and improve energy efficiency. Whether you’re managing heavy duty conveyors in a sawmill, precise washdown zones in a food packaging plant, or high torque crushers in aggregate operations, our drive solutions bring reliability and performance to your processes.

We partner with leading brands to stock drives and starters from fractional to high horsepower, across various enclosures, voltages, and control capabilities. Let us help you match the right control device for your application.

What We Offer

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

• Full speed & torque control over your motors

• Support for dynamic speed changes (e.g. varying load, throughput demands)

• Built-in protections (overload, over/under voltage, fault diagnostics)

• Communication & protocol support (Modbus, Ethernet/IP, etc.)

• Multiple enclosure options (chassis, NEMA 1, NEMA 4X, etc.)

• Power ranges from low HP up to hundreds of HP (depending on your needs)

Soft Starters

• Smooth start & stop control with reduced inrush current

• Torque / voltage ramping to protect mechanical systems

• Ideal for fixed-speed loads where speed variation isn’t needed

• Integrated bypass and minimal power loss during run mode

• Compact layouts and simple integration

• Application in conveyors, fans, pumps, compressors, etc.

When to Use Each (VFD vs Soft Starter)

In many cases where the motor runs at a fixed speed, a soft starter is adequate and more cost-effective. But if your process demands variable speed, torque control, or energy savings, a VFD is often the better choice. blog.hesconet.com+3Automation World+3Rockwell Automation+3

Industries We Serve

• Forest & Logging / Sawmills — conveyors, chipper drives, fans

• Food Packaging / Processing — washdown areas, precise speed control, gentle motor starts

• Aggregate / Rock Crushing — crushers, feeders, conveyors with variable load

• Water / Pumping Systems — flow control, soft starts to reduce water hammer

Each industry has unique demands—dust, vibration, moisture, high torque starts. We’ll help you choose a drive or starter that’s up for the challenge.

Why Work with Us

• Depth of product knowledge — we know controller theory, motor interaction, torque curves, etc.

• Matching & sizing expertise — we help you pick the drive or starter that fits motor, load, and process.

• Full documentation & support — datasheets, parameter setup help, wiring diagrams.

• Quick delivery & inventory — many units in stock; we work with distributors/brands to reduce lead time.

• Local service advantage — we support the PNW and nearby regions; we understand environmental stresses your equipment faces.