Schneider Electric ATS48 Soft Starter Modules: ATS48C25Q

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Schneider Electric ATS48 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Schneider Electric ATS48 series represents one of the most widely deployed soft starter platforms in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical complexes, nuclear power auxiliary systems, offshore platforms, and large-scale water treatment facilities, the ATS48 range covers motor control applications from 17 A to 1200 A (approximately 7.5 kW to 630 kW at 400 V). Its integrated bypass contactor design, torque-controlled ramp profiles, and built-in motor thermal protection made it the reference standard for medium-voltage motor starting in process-critical environments throughout the 2000s and 2010s. The series operates on 208–690 V AC networks and supports both standard three-wire and inside-delta (6-wire) wiring configurations, enabling significant current derating advantages in high-power applications.

The Evolution of ATS48 Architecture

The ATS48 platform was introduced by Schneider Electric (then Telemecanique) in the late 1990s as a successor to the ATS46 series, addressing limitations in thermal management and fieldbus integration. The original hardware revision featured analog-based ramp control and a basic RS-485 Modbus RTU port. Subsequent firmware revisions introduced enhanced motor thermal memory retention across power cycles and improved compatibility with IEC 60947-4-2 standards.

Communication architecture evolved through optional plug-in communication cards: the VW3A58101 (Modbus), VW3A58102 (PROFIBUS DP), VW3A58103 (DeviceNet), and VW3A58104 (CANopen) modules allowed integration into distributed control systems without replacing the base unit. This modular communication approach was a deliberate design choice to extend the platform's service life across multiple DCS generations.

By 2020, Schneider Electric formally transitioned the ATS48 to end-of-commercialization status, with the ATS480 series designated as the direct replacement. The ATS480 offers an identical mounting footprint for select frame sizes, simplified wiring, and native EtherNet/IP support. However, the installed base of ATS48 units in legacy facilities remains substantial, and direct replacement is frequently constrained by panel space, wiring infrastructure, and process shutdown scheduling. This sustains active demand for ATS48 spare units and repair services.

ATS48 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent the verified ATS48 product range. Units are classified by current rating and wiring configuration. All models support 208–690 V AC, integrated bypass, and the standard ATS48 communication card slot.

ATS48D17Q: 17 A / 7.5 kW at 400 V — entry-level 3-wire soft starter, standard inline configuration.
ATS48D22Q: 22 A / 11 kW at 400 V — compact frame, DIN rail or panel mount, integrated bypass contactor.
ATS48D32Q: 32 A / 15 kW at 400 V — enhanced thermal protection, suitable for pump and fan loads.
ATS48D38Q: 38 A / 18.5 kW at 400 V — mid-range inline unit with torque-controlled deceleration ramp.
ATS48D47Q: 47 A / 22 kW at 400 V — supports inside-delta wiring for extended current capacity.
ATS48D62Q: 62 A / 30 kW at 400 V — standard frame, suitable for compressor and conveyor applications.
ATS48D75Q: 75 A / 37 kW at 400 V — high-cycle-rate applications, integrated motor thermistor input.
ATS48C11Q: 110 A / 55 kW at 400 V — C-frame series, forced-air cooling, process industry standard.
ATS48C14Q: 140 A / 75 kW at 400 V — C-frame, inside-delta capable up to 240 A effective motor current.
ATS48C17Q: 170 A / 90 kW at 400 V — C-frame, common in water/wastewater pump stations.
ATS48C21Q: 210 A / 110 kW at 400 V — C-frame, high-inertia load profile support.
ATS48C25Q: 250 A / 132 kW at 400 V — C-frame, inside-delta wiring supports up to 433 A motor current; widely deployed in refinery and chemical plant motor control centers.
ATS48C32Q: 320 A / 160 kW at 400 V — C-frame, dual cooling fan assembly, suitable for continuous-duty high-load cycles.
ATS48C41Q: 410 A / 200 kW at 400 V — large-frame unit, requires external bypass contactor for currents above rating.
ATS48C48Q: 480 A / 250 kW at 400 V — large-frame, common in offshore and heavy mining motor control applications.
ATS48C59Q: 590 A / 315 kW at 400 V — large-frame, forced ventilation mandatory, panel cutout dimensions per Schneider specification sheet.
ATS48C66Q: 660 A / 355 kW at 400 V — large-frame, inside-delta configuration supports up to 1143 A effective motor current.
ATS48C79Q: 790 A / 400 kW at 400 V — large-frame, nuclear auxiliary and petrochemical primary pump applications.
ATS48M10Q: 1000 A / 500 kW at 400 V — M-frame, maximum inline rating in the ATS48 range.
ATS48M12Q: 1200 A / 630 kW at 400 V — M-frame, top of range; inside-delta configuration supports up to 2078 A effective motor current.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete ATS48 Parts

Following Schneider Electric's end-of-commercialization declaration for the ATS48 series, authorized distribution channels have progressively reduced stock. For facilities operating ATS48 units within long-term maintenance contracts — particularly in nuclear, petrochemical, and municipal water infrastructure — unplanned downtime caused by unavailable spares represents a critical operational risk.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of ATS48 units across the full current range, sourced from decommissioned panels, OEM overstock, and controlled refurbishment programs. Each unit is cataloged by firmware revision, hardware lot, and physical condition grade. For end-of-life models such as the ATS48M10Q and ATS48M12Q, DriveKNMS provides cross-reference documentation to ATS480 equivalents and can supply both the legacy unit and the migration engineering data in a single transaction. Customers operating under IEC 61511 functional safety frameworks can request traceability documentation for all supplied units.

Quality Control for the ATS48 Range

The ATS48 series uses a proprietary SCR (thyristor) firing board and a dedicated motor thermal model processor. Standard bench testing protocols applied to ATS48 units at DriveKNMS include: full power-stage SCR gate trigger verification across all six thyristors; bypass contactor coil resistance and contact gap measurement; motor thermal model memory reset and reinitialization; communication card slot continuity and protocol handshake verification (Modbus RTU, PROFIBUS DP); and 72-hour burn-in under simulated load cycling at rated current. Units exhibiting SCR leakage current above 10 mA or bypass contactor contact resistance above 0.5 mΩ are rejected. All tested units are supplied with a test report referencing the specific ATS48 serial number and hardware revision.