Does soft start reduce voltage or current?
A soft start, also known as a gentle start or ramp-up start, is a method used in electronics to gradually increase the voltage or current supplied to a device when it is powered on. This gradual increase is typically achieved by employing specialized circuitry or control algorithms.
The purpose of a soft start is to limit the inrush current that occurs when a device is initially powered up. Inrush current refers to the sudden surge of current that flows into a device's circuitry when power is applied. This surge can be significant, especially for devices with large capacitors or heavy loads, and it can put stress on components such as power supplies, fuses, and circuit breakers.
A soft start typically refers to a technique used to gradually increase the voltage supplied to a device or system when it is powered on. The primary purpose is to limit the inrush current that occurs when the device is initially powered up, which can be beneficial for both the device itself and the power supply.
So, to answer the question directly: soft start reduces the initial inrush current, which can affect the voltage indirectly by controlling how quickly it rises, but the main focus is on managing the current. By gradually increasing the voltage, the current drawn by the device can be controlled, preventing sudden spikes in current that could damage components or overload the power supply.