Choosing between a compact motor soft starter and a hefty industrial starter can feel odd. They both fall under soft starters and motor controls, but they sit at opposite ends of the motor control scale. On one side is a single-phase soft starting module. On the other is a Square D Size 5 Reduced Voltage Motor Soft Starter, a much larger piece of motor control hardware. The right pick depends on your motor size, power supply, and project scope.
Quick verdict
The Single Phase Motor Soft Starter is the choice for small, single-phase motors where adjustable soft starting is needed at a very low cost. The Square D Size 5 is the clearer match when your motor is in a heavier horsepower class and your panel calls for a reduced-voltage starter with substantial current capacity. If you only need gentle starting for a modest motor, the module is enough; if you are controlling a major motor, the Square D starter is the one that belongs in the picture.
At a glance
| Single Phase Motor Soft Starter | Square D Size 5 Reduced Voltage Motor Soft Starter | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 50.99 | USD 4,750.00 |
| Scale | 2 kW module | 200 HP / 250A starter |
| Condition | New | Used |
| Origin | China | United States |
Where each product wins
Single Phase Motor Soft Starter wins on price and simplicity for small single-phase motors. Its adjustable start voltage and ramp time let you tailor a gentle start without buying a large panel, and the module format keeps the purchase straightforward.
Square D Size 5 Reduced Voltage Motor Soft Starter wins on capacity. A starter in the Size 5 class is built for far heavier duty than a small module, and the breaker-style configuration suits a larger install. This is where the comparison stops being about low cost and starts being about handling real motor load.
Decision pointers
Before choosing, weigh the motor's power class, the condition of the hardware, and the scale of the job. The module is new and priced lower, but its power limit is fixed. The Square D unit is used and priced higher, yet it belongs to a completely different capacity tier. Match the starter to the motor that is actually in front of you rather than choosing on price alone.
Product notes
Single Phase Motor Soft Starter
This compact module is the practical route when the motor in front of you is a single-phase unit in the 2 kW class. The SSR-60WA-R1 (2KW) model designation and the adjustable start potentiometer make the intended use clear. It is new, and the potentiometer lets you set both the starting voltage and the soft-start time so the motor ramps up gradually instead of starting abruptly. For a 220V supply with the control halfway, the starting voltage lands around 55V with a ramp of about 22 seconds. The limitation is scale: at 2 kW it is not meant to replace a large reduced-voltage starter, so it only makes sense if your motor and wiring match that small module.
Square D Size 5 Reduced Voltage Motor Soft Starter 200 HP Autotransformer 250A
If your installation is in this heavier horsepower class, this is the product to weigh. It is a Square D reduced-voltage motor soft starter with an autotransformer design, and the unit is configured with a breaker rather than fused MCCBs. As a used unit made in the United States, the condition deserves attention before installation. The included capacity and industrial format justify the much higher price only if your motor and control panel actually need that level of current handling. For anyone with a small motor, this is far more starter than the job requires.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Single Phase Motor Soft Starter at USD 50.99 when you are working with a small single-phase motor and want adjustable soft starting without taking on a large industrial starter's cost.
Choose the Square D Size 5 Reduced Voltage Motor Soft Starter at USD 4,750.00 when you are assembling a large motor control setup that genuinely needs this class of reduced-voltage starting.
