Lovato M1P01812400B1 13-18 A Enclosed Direct-On-Line Starter

A ready-built direct-on-line starter in an IP65 enclosure

The M1P01812400B1 is a factory-assembled direct-on-line starter from Lovato Electric: a contactor, a thermal overload relay and a non-metallic enclosure with START, STOP and RESET push buttons, wired and ready for mounting near the motor. The relay setting range is 13-18 A, the operating current Ie is 18 A, and the catalogue gives 7.5 kW as the motor rating at 400 V up to 440 V.

The standard components are stated as enclosure M1PA, contactor BF1810A and thermal relay RF381800, which tells you exactly which parts to stock as spares. Degree of protection is IP65; the UL type rating is Type 1, 12K, 4, 4X. The whole assembly weighs 1040 g.

Technical specifications

Selecting the starter

Use this code when the motor full-load current falls in the 13-18 A range and a field-mounted start/stop station is wanted. The coil voltage is the 400 V AC, 50/60 Hz version as shown in the catalogue title, so check that the control circuit is the same line voltage.

If the motor is larger or the duty needs reversing, step up to the next relay range or build the starter from separate contactor, relay and enclosure parts.

Applications and installation

These starters are used on small pumps, fans, compressors and conveyors where the motor is not next to a motor control centre. The IP65 enclosure keeps dust and splashing water away from the contactor, which helps on wash-down or outdoor installations when properly sealed.

Remember the starter has no built-in short-circuit protection: fit a suitable breaker or fuse upstream according to the instruction sheet.

For panel design and commissioning, the practical figures to keep at hand are: operating temperature (min) -25 °C; operating temperature (max) +60 °C; storage temperature (min) -40 °C; storage temperature (max) +70 °C; weight 1040 g. These come straight from the datasheet and are repeated here so that the key installation limits are visible without opening the PDF.

Mounting the enclosure on site

Fix the M1P01812400B1 on a flat, rigid surface close enough to the motor that the operator can see the driven machine while pressing START or STOP. A wall, a steel support frame or a pump skid upright all work, provided the surface does not flex or transmit heavy vibration into the contactor. Keep the push buttons at a comfortable working height and leave clear space in front so the cover can be opened for inspection without removing pipework or guards.

Bring cables in from below wherever possible, so that rain, condensation or wash-down water runs away from the entries instead of towards them. Use cable glands of a protection level that matches the IP65 rating of the box; an open or poorly sized entry cancels the benefit of the sealed enclosure. Tighten every power and control terminal to the values given in the instruction sheet and check the earth continuity before closing the cover.

Commissioning checks before the first start

Before energising, confirm that the motor nameplate full-load current sits inside the 13-18 A relay range and set the thermal relay dial to that nameplate value, not to the top of the scale. Verify that the control supply matches the 400 V AC coil version of this starter, and that the upstream breaker or fuse required by the instruction sheet is installed and correctly rated for the cable and motor.

With the motor uncoupled where practical, give a short start to check the direction of rotation, then run the machine under normal load and measure the current on each phase. Balanced currents close to the nameplate figure indicate a healthy supply and motor; a large difference between phases should be investigated before the starter is handed over. Record the relay setting and the measured currents in the commissioning sheet for future reference.

Operating in Oman and GCC conditions

Outdoor pump stations and rooftop plant in the Gulf see strong direct sun, fine airborne dust and, near the coast, humid salty air. The stated operating range of -25 °C to +60 °C covers the ambient air, but a dark surface in full sun can run hotter than the air around it, so shade the enclosure where you can or mount it on the shaded side of the equipment. Thermal overload relays respond to the temperature around them, so a starter sitting in an unusually hot spot may trip earlier than expected on a fully loaded motor.

Dust and sand settle on the cover and around the cable glands. Wipe the enclosure clean during routine rounds and check that glands and cover closures are still tight after maintenance work, because the IP65 protection depends on every opening being properly sealed.

Routine maintenance

Isolate the supply and open the enclosure at planned intervals to look for discoloured insulation, loose terminals or signs of moisture inside. Re-tighten connections that show heat marks and replace the BF1810A contactor or RF381800 relay if contacts or terminals are damaged. Because the standard component codes are listed on this page, a site that runs several of these starters can keep a small set of matching spares and restore a failed unit quickly. After any repair, repeat the current check from commissioning before returning the motor to service.

Documents and quotation

All data on this page for M1P01812400B1 is taken from the Lovato Electric catalogue datasheet (English), which you can download from the attachment list. Check the motor current, the control supply voltage and the enclosure or DIN-rail mounting arrangement against your own drawings first; the manufacturer may update datasheet figures without notice. Related items are listed under contactors & overload relays. To request M1P01812400B1, send the quantity and delivery location with the quotation form; Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier based in Muscat.