Schneider Electric, the global leader in energy management and automation, and recognised sustainability leader, has announced the East African availability of its motor control technology, the Altivar Soft Starter ATS430 and ATS490 ranges. 

These next-generation soft starters are designed to support the region’s growing infrastructure and industrial sectors with enhanced motor management, energy efficiency and operational resilience.

“East Africa is experiencing significant growth in sectors such as agribusiness, construction manufacturing, construction and real estate,” explains Geraldine Sande, Channel Sales Leader at Schneider Electric East Africa: 

“Our latest Altivar Soft Starter ATS430 and ATS490 ranges are tailored to help businesses in these sectors optimise their operations, reduce costs, and improve equipment performance in an increasingly digital and energy-conscious environment.”

Powering efficiency across industries

The Altivar Soft Starter ATS430 is designed for discrete industrial applications, offering motor control and seamless integration into existing automation architectures.  For example, with energy and motor condition monitoring built-in, it provides valuable insights that support predictive maintenance and help extend equipment lifespan.

Optimised for process-heavy industries, the Altivar Soft Starter ATS490 is ideal for water and wastewater management (WWW), cement production, mining operations, and commercial HVAC systems. It is engineered for durability and precision in high-stress environments, with advanced features that support reduced downtime and optimised energy consumption.

“The ATS490’s embedded condition monitoring and advanced motor management capabilities mean businesses can minimise unplanned stoppages, protect critical infrastructure, and digitise operations in line with global standards,” notes Sande.

Schneider Electric’s soft starter range alos aligns with the growing demand for energy-efficient, digitised and resilient industrial infrastructure in East Africa. Both solutions come with built-in cybersecurity protections, advance monitoring capabilities, and high energy efficiency to support businesses pursuing sustainable growth and digital transformation.

Technical specifications

Altivar Soft Starter ATS430:

• Power range: 4kW to 400kW (3hp to 500hp).
• Torque Control for smooth acceleration/deceleration.
• High-stress resilience and event avoidance.
• Cybersecurity-ready, aligning with modern best practices.
• Integrated motor, application, power and energy monitoring with >95% accuracy.
• 99.5% energy efficiency with integrated bypass relays.
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Altivar Soft Starter ATS490

• Power range: 4kW to 900kW (3hp to 1200hp).
• Certified cybersecurity and SIL1 Safe Torque Off (STO).
• Eliminates need for external line contactors.
• Embedded condition monitoring for both soft starter and application.
• Application-specific functions: jog mode, anti-jam, borehole pump start.
• 99.5% energy efficiency with integrated bypass relays and power monitoring.