The Schneider Electric LC3F185M7 is a pre-wired star delta starter from the TeSys F range, designed for motor control in AC-3 duty. It switches a 160 kW motor at 380/400 V AC 50/60 Hz, with the same power rating at 415 V AC, and steps up to 185 kW at 440 V AC. AC-3 utilisation category means it is rated for starting squirrel-cage motors and switching them off during running — the standard duty for contactors in motor control centres and panel builds. The part carries a rated breaking capacity of 1480 A and a rated making capacity of 1850 A, both conforming to IEC 60947-4-1.
Motor power kW is specified per supply voltage: 160 kW at 380/400 V and 415 V, 185 kW at 440 V, and 90 kW at 220/230 V. The 185 kW at 440 V covers North American 480 V circuits (within the 440 V rating). The control circuit voltage limits are tight: operational range is 0.85 to 1.1 times Uc (220/230 V AC), and dropout occurs between 0.35 and 0.55 Uc. This means the coil holds reliably at nominal voltage but drops out cleanly on undervoltage — important for safety circuits that need to drop out before the motor stalls. Heat dissipation is 18 to 24 W, which should be factored into enclosure thermal calculations. The starter is plate-mounted, not DIN-rail, so it bolts directly to a backplate in the panel.
This is a pre-wired star delta starter, meaning the three contactors (star, line, delta) and the interconnecting wiring come assembled from the factory. The auxiliary contact configuration is already set: 1 NC and 1 NO on the star contactor, 2 NC and 1 NO on the line contactor, and 1 NC and 2 NO on the delta contactor. That gives you the standard interlocking and signalling contacts for a star delta start sequence without extra wiring. Power connections accept lugs, ring terminals, or bolted busbars up to 150 mm². The control circuit uses screw clamp terminals for 1 to 4 mm² flexible or solid wire. Tightening torque is 1.2 N·m for control and 18 N·m for power connections. The power circuit bolt diameter is M8.
The LC3F185M7 complies with EN 60947-1, EN 60947-4-1, IEC 60947-1, IEC 60947-4-1, and JIS C8201-4-1. Rated insulation voltage is 1000 V per IEC 60947-4-1 and 1500 V per VDE 0110 group C. Associated fuse ratings are 315 A gG or 200 A aM at up to 440 V.