Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions regarding our distribution opportunity. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for please contact us.

	How does Powerboss save money?
	What types of motor will Powerboss work on?
	What kinds of applications are ideal for Powerboss?
	What kinds of applications will Powerboss not work on?
	What additional benefits does Powerboss offer?
	Does Powerboss conform to international standards?
	What size motors can Powerboss control?
	Is Powerboss a type of speed controller?
	What about the competition?
	Do I need to be technically qualified to sell Powerboss?
	Will I need to employ an engineer?
	Is it necessary to travel to the UK to finalise an agreement?
	Is attendance at training in the UK mandatory?
	How much does Powerboss cost?
	Is there an initial investment required?
	Is Powerboss a proven product?
	What will I need to do to commence trading as a Powerboss Distributor?

Product Related

How does Powerboss save money?

The Powerboss motor control system is a software driven device which is able to continuously monitor the load condition of the motor and deliver just sufficient power to satisfy that demand. This can be seen as a reduction in kW/hrs at the meter. As the programme checks for changes 100 times per second on a 50Hz supply the performance of the motor is never compromised.

What types of motor will Powerboss work on?

Powerboss can be installed on most types of A/C Induction motor. Powerboss will not work on D/C Motors, Universal Motors, or Stepper Motors.

What kinds of applications are ideal for Powerboss?

Those applications where the motor has been significantly over-sized or has a variable load profile i.e. most applications. Good examples include Plastics Injection Moulding, Power Presses, Timber Saws, Aggregate Crushers, Granulators, Compressors, Hydraulics, Pump-Jack Oil Pumps, Cutting Machines, Textiles Looms & Sewing machines, Conveyors, Fly-wheel Applications and many more. We are still discovering new applications on a regular basis.

What kinds of applications will Powerboss not work on?

Constant high-load application can be said to be reasonably efficient and will provide little or no energy savings. Other features, such as soft start, may still offer strong commercial benefits.

What additional benefits does Powerboss offer?

In addition to energy optimisation, Powerboss provides the following features:
Soft start – reduces peak demand and wear and tear
Soft stop – eliminates fluid-hammer effect when stopping pumps
Timed cut-out – turns off motor after a pre-set idle time
Stored energy – pulses on/off high inertia loads without effecting performance

Does Powerboss conform to international standards?

Powerboss units are marked with CE, UL & CSA certification. It is manufactured to ISO 9002, while Somar works to ISO 9001 & 14001 standards.

What size motors can Powerboss control?

Single-phase motors up to 13 amps on a 110v or 230v supply, and three-phase motors from 2.2kW to 630kW on a 380v-480v supply. Larger units up to 1100v/1450kW can be specified to order.

Is Powerboss a type of speed controller?

No. The Powerboss control system is designed to run the motor at a constant speed while optimising its performance.

What about the competition?

While the software within the Powerboss controller has been developed over the last ten years by Somar, there are other products in the marketplace that you could compare to it, such as standard soft-starters and variable speed drives. We cover this topic in detail in our Distributor Training programme but if you have any specific questions on this please ask a member of the Somar team.

Distribution Opportunity (Distributor page)

Do I need to be technically qualified to sell Powerboss?

No. While the product needs to be installed by a suitably qualified electrician, what we are looking for in a Distributor is the entrepreneurial skills to run a successful Powerboss Distributorship.

Will I need to employ an engineer?

Not necessarily. While some of our Distributors partner with or employ technical people, many out-source installation to an electrical contractor or maintenance company.

Is it necessary to travel to the UK to finalise an agreement?

No. We would welcome the opportunity to meet any prospective business partner but understand that this is not always possible due to the present situation with international travel. It will be possible to exchange sufficient information for us to assess your suitability without a face to face meeting.

Is attendance at training in the UK mandatory?

No. Recognising the difficulties with international travel, and as it is likely new people will be joining your company from time to time, we have developed a comprehensive Distributor Support internet facility containing all of our training information. You will be welcome to attend our monthly training sessions at any point in our association but can use the internet facility wherever this is not possible.

Business Related

How much does Powerboss cost?

The system provides a very strong commercial proposition, offering a return on investment often within three years, sometimes much less. When offered in conjunction with a leasing package it can be structured to pay for itself from the savings generated.

Is there an initial investment required?

Yes. Please refer to our Confidential Business Prospectus for details, available on request. The investment is seen by Somar as a sign of commitment and will be refunded to you in full once an agreed level of sales has been achieved. We will be pleased to provide full details on this upon request.

Is Powerboss a proven product?

As well as conforming to the relevant international standards, Powerboss is in daily use in a wide variety of applications and in a broad range of countries around the world. We have many letters of accreditation from satisfied customers, as well as a comprehensive library of case studies and test results. We will be happy to share this information with you and would encourage you to use it as an integral part of your presentations to customers.

What will I need to do to commence trading as a Powerboss Distributor?

You will need to make a formal application to us using the Application form provided on our Corporate CD. After clarifying any aspects that we do not fully understand, the application will be submitted to our board of directors for approval. If granted, we will immediately ship your Distributor establishment package to you as detailed in the Prospectus.