This is ABB's variable speed drive breakthrough, it is claimed, and - with a rating of 0.37 to 7.5kW - it is also one of the smallest drives in its class, with the lowest claimed UK price levels to date:
ABB has designed a drive range which it claims gives OEMs, panelbuilders and end-users one of the smallest sizes, lowest cost and most comprehensive benefits of any drive, in its class, currently available in the UK marketplace.
A wide range of applications:
The ABB general machinery drive is rated from 0.37 to 7.5kW. The range is aimed at OEMs, panel builders, system integrators and end users and is ideal for a wide range of machinery applications in sectors such as food processing, material handling, textiles, printing, rubber and plastics and woodworking.
The drives will be available at multiple distribution outlets across the UK ranging from the ABB Drives Alliance through to general distributors, stockists and catalogue houses.
The drives are much smaller than comparative drives in this segment. For instance, the 5.5 kW model is 25% smaller than the Telemecanique ATV31 and 58% smaller than the Siemens MM440 with the same output.
Only the width varies between sizes:
The small size makes it easy for panel builders and OEMs to design smaller control panels or increase packing density in existing panels. Significantly, says ABB, all the drives in the range from the smallest 0.37 kW to the largest 7.5 kW are the same height and depth, with only the width varying between sizes, enabling easy side-by-side mounting. No additional space is needed for air circulation and DIN rail mounting is possible. When cabinet depth is very limited, the drives can even be mounted with one side to the back of the cabinet.
The drives feature a totally new generation of Fieldbus adaptors. These small, enclosed, plug-in cards offer high speed communications, catering for many protocols
Size and cost have been reduced by focusing on the typical features required by users in this market segment. When further features are needed, these are available as options and the price simply follows the need. Options include two types of control panel, potentiometer and fieldbus adapters for DeviceNet, PROFIBUS DP, CANopen and ModBus RTUF.
Size is also reduced by using a new generation of power semiconductors which gives lower power losses and reduces the need for cooling, enabling the use of smaller heatsinks. Despite the small size, the drives have both EMC filter and brake chopper built-in.
Competitively priced:
The range is competitively priced. For instance, the 5.5 kW 3-phase model is priced 2.5% below its nearest competitor and up to 19% less than other manufacturers' comparable products.
The drives are available as 1-phase, 200 to 240 V, 0.37 to 2.2 kW; 3-phase, 200 to 240 V, 0.37 to 4 kW; and 3-phase, 380 to 480 V, 0.37 to 7.5 kW.
Features include ABB's patented FlashDrop technology, enabling users to upload parameters in less than two seconds without even powering the drive up. Important parameters can be quickly and safely downloaded into a drive using a hand-held FlashDrop unit. This makes it easy for OEMs to pre-configure drives before delivery and helps high-volume OEMs to streamline the commissioning process.
Sequence programming gives an easy way to create sequences of operations. These programs are useful in applications where the drive controls the motor using signals from sensors and limit switches. This helps to reduce the need for external PLCs, making for less complex motor control systems and reduces costs.
The picture shows three variable speed drives in the new low-cost ABB general machinery drive range.