Intelligent motor controller offers flexibility coupled with protection

Designed for use with the company's new Fieldbus Plug, the UMC22 can be used with all major fieldbuses and incorporates all the motor protection, control functions and interlocks into just one device for line currents from 0.24 to 63 A.

With the ABB UMC22, a wide range of predefined control functions and applications (such as Direct start, Star-Delta-start etc) have been transferred from the programmable controller PLC and integrated into the UMC22. To carry out any of these functions, the PLC now only needs to send a single command to the UMC22. This in effect frees up more capacity within the PLC and considerably reduces programming and commissioning time. When integrated with ABB's innovative FieldbusPlug, which offers quick connection to any major fieldbus, the UMC22 can run on any PLC with the relevant bus coupler regardless of the protocol.

To add to the UMC22's flexibility, ABB has given the device six digital inputs and three relay outputs which can be assigned to predefined control functions such as fault input, local control, fault output, check-back etc. This provides more inputs than any other device on the market, eliminating the need for expansion modules and cutting the overall component cost of the device compared to similar devices from other manufacturers.

The UMC22 can also be programmed with a second current setting enabling better fault management for two speed applications. For current ranges up to 800A, the UMC22 can be supplied with an external current transformer. The UMC22 has trip classes of 5,10,20 and 30 as well as phase loss and locked rotor (shear pin) protection.

The intelligent controller has a front mounted LCD display and keypad, making it much easier to program than conventional controllers. The display can be used to show information such as motor current, slave address, status of motor, detailed diagnosis and all other important parameters. Furthermore, all information, including any faults, is shown in full English text, eliminating the need for specialist programming knowledge.

Also available in a fully ATEX compliant version, the UMC22 can be used for applications in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The UMC22 is among the new range of low voltage products currently being launched in the UK by ABB Ltd.

The picture shows ABB's UMC22. This offers motor protection coupled with flexible intelligent control and can be used with all major fieldbuses.