ABB HF Range Electronic Compact Motor Starters Available from LED Controls

The HF Series of ABB Electronic Compact Motor Starters combine motor starting, protection and control functions into a single compact device. Designed for three phase motors up to 3 kW, these starters help simplify control panel design while improving reliability and reducing installation time. Get yours now from LED Controls.

What Is an Electronic Motor Starter?

A motor starter is a device that controls the electrical power supplied to a motor. It performs three key functions:

• Starting the motor safely
• Stopping the motor when required
• Protecting the motor from damage

In traditional systems, this usually requires several components - such as a contactor to switch power, an overload relay to protect the motor and additional control wiring - or a combo unit like a DOL. An electronic motor starter integrates these functions into a single device. The ABB HF range is designed specifically to simplify this process by combining motor control and protection in one compact module.

Introducing the ABB HF Range

The HF range of ABB Electronic Motor Starters are only 22.5 mm wide, allowing many units to be installed side by side within a control cabinet, or maybe even giving you the option of a smaller enclosure altogether. Despite their small size, the HF series includes several important functions:

• Direct motor starting
• Reversing control for motors that need to rotate in both directions
• Integrated overload protection
• Monitoring for phase failure and imbalance
• Optional emergency stop safety functionality

Hybrid Technology Explained

A key feature of the HF range is hybrid switching technology, which combines electronic components with traditional relays to deliver efficient and reliable switching. The system works in two stages:

1. Electronic semiconductors handle the switching process when the motor starts or stops.
2. Mechanical relays carry the electrical current once the motor is running.

This design prevents the electrical arcing that can occur in conventional contactors. Electrical arcing is a major cause of wear in switching devices, so eliminating it helps extend the lifespan of the starter up to tens of millions of operating cycles. This makes the HF range ideal for applications that require frequent motor starting.

Major Advantages of the HF Range

• Compact Size
  • The slim 22.5 mm design allows significant space savings inside control cabinets. Multiple starters can be mounted together on a DIN rail, making the HF range especially useful for machinery with many small motors.
• Faster Installation
  • Because motor protection and control functions are integrated, fewer components are required. This reduces wiring complexity and lowers the risk of wiring errors during installation.
• Built In Motor Protection
  • The HF starters protect motors from several common electrical problems, including:
  • • Thermal overload caused by excessive current
    • Phase failure where one supply phase is lost
    • Phase imbalance where currents are uneven across phases
  • If a fault occurs, the starter disconnects the motor and indicates the issue using LED status signals.
• Long Electrical Lifetime
  • Hybrid switching technology reduces wear on contacts, giving the device a very long electrical lifetime. This reduces maintenance requirements and improves long term reliability.
• Integrated Safety Options
  • Certain HF models include built in emergency stop capability that can be used as part of machine safety systems.

Types of HF Electronic Motor Starters

• Direct On Line Starters
  • Direct on line starters, often called DOL starters, connect the motor directly to the power supply when starting. This is the simplest and most common motor starting method. These models include integrated overload protection and are suitable for many standard motor applications.
• Reversing Starters
  • Reversing starters allow a motor to rotate in both directions. This is required in many industrial systems, such as conveyors that must move forward and backward or positioning systems that change direction.
• Safety Variants with Emergency Stop
  • Certain models include integrated emergency stop capability. These starters are designed for safety related applications where motors must stop immediately in hazardous situations.

Product Comparison Table

Model	Motor Current Range	Maximum Motor Power	Starter Type	Overload Protection	Emergency Stop
ABB HF0.6-DOL-24VDC	0.075 to 0.6 A	0.18 kW	Direct on line	Yes	No
ABB HF2.4-DOL-24VDC	0.18 to 2.4 A	0.75 kW	Direct on line	Yes	No
ABB HF9-DOL-24VDC	1.5 to 6.5 A	3 kW	Direct on line	Yes	No
ABB HF0.6-DOLE-24VDC	0.075 to 0.6 A	0.18 kW	Direct on line	Yes	Yes
ABB HF2.4-DOLE-24VDC	0.18 to 2.4 A	0.75 kW	Direct on line	Yes	Yes
ABB HF9-DOLE-24VDC	1.5 to 6.5 A	3 kW	Direct on line	Yes	Yes
ABB HF0.6-ROL-24VDC	0.075 to 0.6 A	0.18 kW	Reversing	Yes	No
ABB HF2.4-ROL-24VDC	0.18 to 2.4 A	0.75 kW	Reversing	Yes	No
ABB HF9-ROL-24VDC	1.5 to 6.5 A	3 kW	Reversing	Yes	No
ABB HF0.6-ROLE-24VDC	0.075 to 0.6 A	0.18 kW	Reversing	Yes	Yes
ABB HF2.4-ROLE-24VDC	0.18 to 2.4 A	0.75 kW	Reversing	Yes	Yes
ABB HF9-ROLE-24VDC	1.5 to 6.5 A	3 kW	Reversing	Yes	Yes

Typical Applications

• Conveyor systems in manufacturing and logistics
• Packaging and production machinery
• Pumps and compressors
• Machine tools
• Small lifts and positioning systems
• Automated processing equipment

Why Choose ABB Electronic Motor Starters?

For machine builders and control panel designers, the HF range delivers several important advantages:

• Compact design to save you space
• Reduced wiring and installation time
• Integrated motor protection
• Long electrical service life
• Flexible control options for different applications

For many industrial motor control applications, ABB Electronic Motor Starters provide a simple and highly efficient solution that takes the place of traditional starters. Get yours online now or, if you're still undecided, get in touch for more info!