Confirming PSU spec for steppers.

[Jonathan]

Not when starting something like a transformer. A mains powered transformer essentially has a zero current point 100 times a second, so if you can switch on at exactly that point, you won't see any surge on the input line, unlike if you were to switch it on when mains volatage is at it's peak you'll see a major surge as full peak voltage is essentially shorted out until the magnetic field builds up.

That is true for a pure resistance, however the issue is the transformer in this case is better modeled as an inductor. I followed Eddy's links but unfortunately they only give 'hand waving' explanations, so instead I've just calculated it and it transpires that if you model the transformer as such, using Faraday's law to find the voltage across the inductor as a function of magnetising flux, then solve this differential equation to find the magnetising flux as a function of applied voltage and switching angle, the result is sinosoidal with a DC-offset. This DC offset depends on the initial flux (i.e. residual flux) and the cosine of the switching angle, so clearly if the angle is pi/2 (i.e. a voltage peak), the cosine term is zero and you get the lowest inrush current. To make matters worse, the relationship between flux and current will be non linear since in normal operation the core operates adjacent to saturation, so when switched on the core is operating well into the saturation region. This means that although the flux implied by Faraday's law is only up to twice the rated value, the current is many times higher. Unfortunately things change a bit when you have capacitors connected to the output via a rectifier, as they essentially present a short circuit to the secondary.

What is the sort of level where soft start becomes important? I kept hitting the figure 500VA when reading, which is why I was looking at including it. Are there other factors that might impact on the choice, ie running it off a standard domestic wall socket, etc?

To be honest my 600VA figure was just a rough estimate based on experience. Yes, you could consider the current capacity of the mains circuit you are connecting it to - e.g. if it's got a 30A RCD with no significant load connected then you're much less likely to have a problem, as the surge current trip is much greater than 30A...