Choosing a soft starter between two motor-control paths often comes down to how much current your motor draws and how much starting torque it needs. The Stellar SR22-09 and the Square D Size 5 sit at opposite ends of that spectrum: one is a compact controller for a modest motor, and the other is a heavy autotransformer-style starter built for industrial horsepower. The real question is matching the starter to the motor, because using a starter that is too small can stall the load, and using one that is too large wastes capacity.
Quick verdict
If your motor is a small 480V machine with a modest current draw, the Stellar SR22-09 is the sensible, low-cost soft starter. If you are controlling a large motor and need reduced-voltage starting with a breaker-style setup, the Square D Size 5 is the one that belongs in your panel. Choose based on your motor's full-load amps and horsepower first; the budget follows from there.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Stellar SR22-09 | Square D Size 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $94.99 | $4,750.00 |
| Motor rating | 9 A | 200 HP / 250 A |
| Control type | Soft starter | Autotransformer reduced-voltage soft starter |
| Condition | Used | Used |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom | United States |
Where each wins
- The Stellar SR22-09 wins for low-amp motor control, especially when the budget is the first constraint.
- The Square D Size 5 wins for high-horsepower motors that need autotransformer reduced-voltage starting and a breaker-based setup.
Product notes
Stellar SR22-09 Soft Starter
The Stellar SR22-09 is a compact soft starter, and the model number tells most of the story: it is rated for 9 A at 480V AC. For a small motor control application, that makes it a straightforward, low-cost entry point, and the 'Industrial PLC' phrasing in the title points to a unit designed to work in automated control environments. The MPN matches the model, so identifying the exact unit is easy. The clear reason to choose it is the price: at $94.99, it is a low-risk way to add soft starting to a small motor. The limitation is just as clear: 9 A will not drive a high-horsepower motor, so over-specifying this unit for a large motor would be a mistake.
Square D Size 5 Reduced Voltage Motor Soft Starter
The Square D Size 5 is a reduced-voltage motor soft starter built around an autotransformer design, with a 200 HP and 250 A rating. That puts it in a different class from compact soft starters: it is designed to ease a large motor up to speed gradually. This unit uses a breaker rather than fused MCCBs, which simplifies the protective setup for a high-current circuit. The reason to choose it is capacity: 200 HP-class starting is simply not something a compact starter can provide. The limitation is cost, at $4,750. If your motor doesn't need that kind of power, you're paying for far more starter than the job requires.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Stellar SR22-09 when your motor is small and your control setup is PLC-oriented. Choose the Square D Size 5 when you need the autotransformer class and a breaker-based reduced-voltage starter. If your motor falls between a modest current draw and a high-horsepower load, these two units represent the ends of the range, so you'll want to look for a soft starter sized to your full-load amps.
