Ultra-low Harmonic Drives Expand ABB High-performance Drive Series
New Berlin, WI - New ultra-low harmonic drives now extend further ABB's ACS 800 product family, which offers users extremely precise motor control. Offered in wall-mount units (7.5 to 125 horsepower range, and cabinet-built configurations (125 to 2,800 Hp), the ultra-low harmonic drives are compact in size and do not require any multi-pulse transformer, external filters or other additional equipment for harmonics reduction.
Call for Reduced Active Distortion at Device, Machinery, and AC Line Network -
"Harmonic distortion originating from the addition of more electrical automation is an increasing cause for consideration and concern among both users and power utilities," according to Mike Vallier, product line manager for the ACS800 family at ABB Inc., Low-Voltage Drives. "Harmonics, resulting from the increased use of electrical equipment in facilities, can disturb power supplies and sensitive equipment, and cause increased power losses in distribution lines."
This reality continues to cause power companies to respond by imposing more rigorous power quality standards, Vallier said. "And that is leading to a growing demand among end-users for easy-to-apply solutions to reduce harmonics."
Meeting Utilities' Power Quality Standards -
ABB's new ultra-low harmonic drives build in a solution for meeting and exceeding such standards, such as IEEE519-1992 at the drives' input terminals ? whether it's a new motor-control installation, or a retrofit of drives to existing motors. Both the wall-mount units and cabinet models represent a complete, ready-to-install solution that is ideal for applications where harmonic distortion is a concern.
The drives are ideal for the wide range of motor-control applications where "clean power" is essential. These include controlling pumps, fans, compressors and conveyors in industrial sectors such as water and wastewater, HVAC, building automation, mining, gas, oil and chemicals, and marine applications.
The new drives utilize an active converter, controlled with Direct Torque Control (DTC) to eliminate low order harmonics, and an active front end LCL (Inductor, Capacitor, Inductor) line filter to reduce high frequency (above 1kHz) harmonics. The total harmonic current distortion is approximately 4% of the nominal inverter current rating at full load.
"These built-in algorithms and filtration result in an exceptionally low harmonic content within the network," Vallier said. With total current distortion reduced to approximately 4.0%, the drives meet the requirements of stringent harmonic standards such as IEEE519 and G5/4. A significant additional benefit is that these drives always operate with unity power factor. "The drives provide exceptional low harmonic distortion with even 3% input line imbalance, where other methods of reducing harmonic distortion depend on a balanced input line to meet their specified level of harmonic distortion. And, by eliminating the need for a multi-pulse transformer or external filters, these stand-alone drives reduce cabling needs and save space," Vallier noted.
All Built In -
Model number ACS800-U31, for wall-mount drives from 7.5 to 125 Hp, are designed for operating voltages of 208 to 240Vac and 380 to 500Vac. The protection class of UL Type 1 (IP21) is standard. Model number ACS800-37 cabinet drives are designed for operating voltages of 380 to 500 Vac and 525 to 690 Vac, and available from 125 to 2,800 Hp, with protection class of UL Type 1 and, optionally, UL Type 12 (IP54).
A wide selection of features and accessories can be accommodated within the drive. Standard features include the programmable I/O and alphanumeric, multilingual control panel, as well as ABB's Start-up Assistant, which provides menu-driven help with parameter setting. Optional accessories include EMC filters and extension modules for additional I/O and field bus adapters.
The new drives belong to ABB's premium industrial drives range, ACS800 family, which offers a wide variety of standardized configurations to suit different application requirements. The drives are designed to make specification, installation and commissioning as straightforward as possible.
SOURCE: ABB Inc.