Schneider Electric ATS480 Soft Starters

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Schneider Electric ATS480 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Schneider Electric ATS480 series represents the current-generation soft starter platform deployed across global heavy industry, including petrochemical refineries, nuclear auxiliary systems, offshore platforms, and large-scale water treatment facilities. Designed as the direct successor to the ATS48 series, the ATS480 integrates advanced motor protection, embedded fieldbus communication, and a standardized DIN-rail or panel-mount form factor that reduces installation engineering time. Its rated current range spans from 17 A to 1200 A, covering the majority of three-phase induction motor applications from 7.5 kW to 630 kW at 400 V. The series is certified to IEC 60947-4-2 and carries UL, CE, and EAC markings, making it a globally accepted solution for both OEM machine builders and end-user plant maintenance teams. In chemical processing environments where direct-on-line starting is prohibited due to mechanical shock constraints on pump seals and pipeline flanges, the ATS480 is the reference specification in engineering procurement documents across EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions.

The Evolution of ATS480 Architecture

Schneider Electric's soft starter lineage in the industrial segment traces from the early ATS01 and ATS22 compact starters, through the ATS48 platform (introduced circa 2000) which established the modular bypass contactor architecture, to the current ATS480 generation released in 2018. The ATS480 introduced a fully digital control board replacing the analog firing angle circuits of the ATS48, enabling precise current ramp profiling and real-time thermal modeling. The embedded Modbus RTU port (standard) and optional CANopen, DeviceNet, PROFIBUS DP, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET communication cards allow the ATS480 to integrate directly into modern DCS and SCADA architectures without external protocol converters. Backward mechanical compatibility with ATS48 panel cutouts was maintained for frame sizes C11 through C32, reducing retrofit engineering costs. The ATS480 also introduced a built-in bypass relay for frames up to D47, eliminating the need for an external bypass contactor in standard applications. For legacy ATS48 installations, the ATS480 is the manufacturer-recommended migration path, with direct parameter mapping tools available in SoMove configuration software.

ATS480 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent the verified ATS480 product range, organized by rated current and key application class. All models operate on 200–440 V AC (3-phase) control supply unless otherwise noted.

ATS480D17Y: 17 A / 7.5 kW at 400 V — standard soft starter, embedded bypass, Modbus RTU.
ATS480D22Y: 22 A / 11 kW at 400 V — compact frame, integrated motor thermistor input, IP20.
ATS480D32Y: 32 A / 15 kW at 400 V — dual ramp profile, programmable output relay x2.
ATS480D38Y: 38 A / 18.5 kW at 400 V — enhanced braking torque control, suitable for conveyor drives.
ATS480D47Y: 47 A / 22 kW at 400 V — built-in bypass contactor, reduced panel wiring complexity.
ATS480D62Y: 62 A / 30 kW at 400 V — mid-range frame, pump application preset, anti-water-hammer ramp.
ATS480D75Y: 75 A / 37 kW at 400 V — fan/pump duty, flying restart function, phase loss detection.
ATS480D88Y: 88 A / 45 kW at 400 V — extended protection relay suite, ground fault detection option.
ATS480C11Y: 110 A / 55 kW at 400 V — frame C, external bypass required above 60 s start duty.
ATS480C14Y: 140 A / 75 kW at 400 V — heavy-duty compressor preset, torque boost adjustable 0–100%.
ATS480C17Y: 170 A / 90 kW at 400 V — frame C, suitable for high-inertia load starting cycles.
ATS480C21Y: 210 A / 110 kW at 400 V — dual motor sequencing capable via external logic.
ATS480C25Y: 250 A / 132 kW at 400 V — frame C, PROFIBUS DP card slot, industrial network ready.
ATS480C32Y: 320 A / 160 kW at 400 V — frame C upper range, thermal memory retention across power cycles.
ATS480D37Y: 370 A / 200 kW at 400 V — frame D, forced-air cooling required, panel ventilation specification mandatory.
ATS480D47Y-380: 470 A / 250 kW at 400 V — frame D extended, suitable for large centrifugal pump stations.
ATS480C59Y: 590 A / 315 kW at 400 V — frame C6, requires external bypass contactor, DCS hardwired I/O.
ATS480C11Y-600: 1100 A / 630 kW at 400 V — top-of-range, used in primary drive applications in steel and mining.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete ATS480 Parts

Although the ATS480 series remains in active production as of 2026, specific sub-variants, regional SKUs, and communication option cards (VW3A3601 for CANopen, VW3A3607 for DeviceNet, VW3A3608 for PROFIBUS DP) frequently carry extended lead times of 16–32 weeks through standard distribution channels. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory buffer for ATS480 units sourced from decommissioned plant equipment, surplus OEM stock, and authorized secondary market channels. Each unit is subject to full functional verification before dispatch. For end-users operating legacy ATS48 installations who require a like-for-like replacement while awaiting ATS480 migration, DriveKNMS can supply tested ATS48 units as interim solutions. All sourced units are supplied with a test report, and long-term maintenance contracts are available for facilities requiring guaranteed response times for critical motor control assets.

Quality Control for the ATS480 Range

Each ATS480 unit processed by DriveKNMS undergoes a structured verification protocol specific to thyristor-based soft starter architecture. The test sequence includes: incoming visual inspection for SCR gate damage, bus bar corrosion, and capacitor swelling; static resistance measurement across all six thyristor pairs; dynamic load test at rated current using a resistive load bank to verify firing angle linearity across the full ramp range; communication port verification (Modbus RTU loopback test at 19200 baud); and output relay functional check for all programmable relay assignments. Units with embedded bypass contactors are tested for bypass engagement timing and contact resistance. Firmware version is recorded and compared against the current Schneider Electric release. Units not meeting factory specification thresholds are quarantined and not dispatched. Test records are retained for 24 months and available to customers on request.