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Efficiency & Connectivity
ac drive offerings emphasize more sophisticated operation
Design News Staff -- Design News, November 2, 2008
Energy efficiency, network connectivity and a consistent focus on ease-of-use are the priorities for new ac drives and inverters. Providing sophisticated control functionality and advanced software tools as part of their product offerings, these new products often provide servo and vector modes either as part of the standard offering or as optional add-ons. New products are offering more than basic control capabilities, adding motion control features such as position control, encoder inputs for tracking, safety features and limited amounts of I/O.
Drives are offering a range of capabilities that can be used for simple machines or complex machinery installations.
ETHERNET-COMPATIBLE, THREE-PHASE AC MOTOR DRIVES
Baldor has extended its range of three-phase ac motor drives compatible with the Ethernet Powerlink protocol, adding three higher-power versions rated for continuous outputs from 21.5 to 33.5A.
The MotiFlex e100, three-phase ac drives offer eight choices of power output from 1.5 to 33.5A. Higher-power versions provide a way to utilize large ac induction motors in an Ethernet Powerlink control network, such as the main axes of Web processes.
AC DRIVES EXPAND MOTOR CONTROL CAPABILITIES
Omron Electronics has introduced three high-performance ac drive series that help machine builders and plants achieve energy savings.
The 3G3JX series offers V/Hz control for applications such as fans, blowers and pumps. Top and bottom wiring enables simple contactor replacement and side-by-side mounting contributes to space savings. The compact 3G3MX also offers side-by-side mounting and open-loop control for high starting torque applications. Open-loop vector control supports moderate- to high-performance applications such as mixers, compressors and conveyors. High starting torque, 200 percent at 1 Hz, allows start of high inertia loads. The 3G3RX series provides both open- and closed-loop control and advanced features to meet the needs of challenging torque and speed control applications.
AC DRIVE FOR HVAC PUMP AND FAN APPLICATIONS
The Altivar® 21 variable frequency ac drives from Schneider are designed for HVAC pump and fan applications. The drive is optimized for HVAC equipment and provides a range of motor control requirements from simple machines to complex applications.
The Altivar® 21 drive is designed to be an easy-to-use drive with wide functionality in a small footprint required for space-sensitive pump and fan applications. Applications include: heating and cooling supply fans, intake and exhaust ventilation fans, cooling tower fans, chilled and hot water supply pumps, cooling tower pumps and fountain pumping.
The drive ships with factory-configured parameters. It also features a local/remote button, so users can take control of it for testing and troubleshooting and simplify the monitoring, diagnostics and control of each unit.
