DC/AC Inverter Modules provide compact flexibility.

Press Release Summary:



Rectifier and DC-supplied inverter modules extend all features and benefits of ABB industrial drive ACS800 across 1-2,250 hp range, from 380-600 Vac. Modular configuration utilizes common DC bus line-up, which enables users to wire input power via one 3-phase AC connection, with each DC-fed inverter unit sharing bus and providing output power to motor. Multidrives offer common braking feature, which includes regenerative braking and motor-to-motor braking.



Original Press Release:



New Modules Extend ABB Industrial Drives Series; ACS800 Multidrives Offer Small Footprint, High Flexibility



(Compact rectifier and DC-supplied inverter modules designed for integrators, OEMs, panel builders and end users)

NEW BERLIN, Wis., May 10, 2004 . . . New rectifier and DC-supplied inverter modules extend all the features and benefits of ABB industrial drive ACS800 across a 1 ? 2,250 horsepower range, from 380 ? 600 VAC.

The modular configuration of these modules utilizes a common DC bus line-up, which enables users to wire input power via a single three-phase AC connection, with each DC-fed inverter unit sharing the bus, and providing output power to a motor. Multidrive configuration does not require use of a separate motor control center.

Multidrives also offer common braking feature, which includes regenerative braking and motor-to-motor braking, depending on the demands and modes of the various motor loads.

"'Compact flexibility' accurately describes the benefits that these modular units provide users," noted Jari Tukia, product manager for multidrives, ABB Inc., Low-Voltage Drives.

Modular Designs with Extremely Small Footprint --

Like ABB's industrial drive single-drive line, the modules of the multidrive configuration provide dramatically smaller footprints than previous drives; this is true for both the rectifiers and inverters. "In high-power applications (above 600 HP), modules can be connected easily in parallel, across the common DC bus, to provide output current required by any given application," says Tukia. "The modularity makes it easy for users to drive high-power motor loads, utilizing standard module sizes and fewer spare parts."

Improvements in technology and power components -- such as compact and innovative design in cooling principles -- inside the high-performance drive line have reduced the total footprint of these multidrives by up to 50 percent!

From a customer perspective, these drives free up more floor, wall and panel space to install other electrical components on, or use for other operations. Electrical rooms built to house the multidrives now can be smaller and more compact; and, in the case of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), the smaller drives make it possible to develop and manufacture extremely compact equipment, such as extruders, mixers and centrifuges, notes Tukia.

Easy Cabling to Plug-ins --

The new ABB industrial drive rectifier and DC-supplied inverter units (which began at 150 HP) also include an extensive selection of user-friendly features. The three-phase power cabling is wired to a rectifier module through a unique new plug-in connector, to power the entire common DC line-up. The connector for the rectifier includes the AC-in, DC-out, and controls. And the plug-in connectors for the inverters (150 HP and up) are wired to the motor terminals.

The motor cabling is connected to the plug-in connectors, which project inside the multidrive cabinetry; this makes access easy for electrical personnel wiring power to/from the plug-ins. Both the rectifier and DC-supplied inverter modules are equipped with wheels, so they can be pushed into the cabinetry and seated into the connectors easily. The modules also can be rolled out of the cabinet for quick access and maintenance.

Modules Serve Wide Power Range --

The type and number of modules required to provide precise control of large-power applications is streamlined, to make it easy for ABB customers. Only four different types of diode rectifier units cover the entire multidrive power range from 200HP ? 4600 HP, in 380 ? 600 VAC.

Standard features built into these diode rectifier units include built-in adaptation to 6- or 12-pulse operation, and automatic control to pre-charge the inverter capacitor banks during start-up.

Inverter modules are available in seven different frame sizes (R2i ? R8i), across a 1 ? 2250 HP power range, in 380 ? 600 VAC. From 150 ? 2250 HP, the modules are different configurations of R8i frame-size units, added in single or parallel configurations (parallel connection starts above power requirements of 600 HP).

General ABB Industrial Drive Benefits --

The ABB industrial drive line is backward compatible of the company's previous ACS 600 family -- parameters have the same name and scaling. Like the single drives, the multidrives include a number of user-friendly features that deliver high-performance in an extremely small, complete, and flexible package. These include:

-- Direct Torque Control (DTC) -- fast, accurate and protective motor control method, proprietary to ABB, eliminates the need for installing encoders in most applications, and enables the drives to calculate the state (torque and flux) of the motor 40,000 times per second ? and makes the motor controllers trip-less. The absence of a required encoder can also reduce capital costs, when compared to like flux vector or PWM (Pulse-Width-Modulated) controlled drives.

-- All Inside -- I/O extensions, field buses and a pulse encoder module all fit inside the inverters. Control features also include low audible noise, high motor load-ability, and flying restart of motors.

-- Start-up Assistant and Adaptive Programming ? standard interactive tools provide for dramatic time- and cost-savings in commissioning. Start-up Assistant automatically detects when the drive is turned on for the first time and then provides guided start up, step by step; no need to worry about which parameters to set. And Adaptive Programming extends further the freely programmable I/O and extensive parameter selections for complete flexibility.

Modules For Regenerative and High-HP Single Drives, Too --

The multidrives modules also can be used to build regenerative and high-horsepower single drives. "Various configurations utilizing the rectifier and/or inverter modules makes production of these types of units possible for specific-use applications," according to Tukia. "The modular construction accommodates what the application requires; the modules provide enormous versatility."

ABB Inc., Automation Technologies, Low-Voltage Drives, is the world's largest manufacturer of electric motors and drives. In the USA, an integrated channel of sales representatives, distributors, and system integrators allow ABB, New Berlin, Wisconsin, to supply a complete line of energy-efficient electric drives, motors and engineered drive systems to a wide range of industrial and commercial customers. Products manufactured include AC and DC variable speed drives for electric motors from 1/8th through 135,000 HP, and application-specific drive system solutions to meet diverse customer needs (http://www.abb-drives.com).

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 115,000 people. The company's U.S. operations employ about 9,000 in manufacturing and other facilities in 40 states.

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