The GRELCI MARAS GM.230 is a compact zone power controller designed for regulating the power delivered to electric heaters, heat lamps, and lighting loads in temperature-controlled zones. Manufactured by GRELCI MARAS d.o.o. of Slovenia, it connects directly to the heating device via a standard Schuko socket mounted on the top of the unit — no hardwiring or additional outlet is required.

How does the soft-start function protect connected equipment?

When a cold heater or incandescent lamp is switched on, its initial resistance is low, causing a current inrush that can be several times the steady-state operating current. The GM.230's soft-start circuit ramps the output voltage gradually over the first few AC cycles, suppressing this startup spike. This reduces thermal shock to heater elements and prevents filament stress in lamps, extending the service life of connected equipment. Once the soft-start ramp completes, the rotary potentiometer provides continuous manual adjustment of the output power level, allowing the operator to discover and set the correct power for the specific heating application — from terrarium and vivarium heaters to industrial process warm-up zones.