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Bespoke drives are ‘first’ with 3-level harmonics technology
At this month’s Hannover Fair, Schneider Electric unveiled a range of engineered-to-order modular system drives incorporating a newly developed three-level harmonics technology that, it claims, cuts total current distortion (THDi) to less than 5%. The Altivar Process Drive Systems span ratings from 110–800kW, and there are plans to extend them to 1.5MW
Schneider claims that the three-level harmonics technology is the first of its type and results in much smaller filter components than two-level systems, saving floor space. The ready-to-connect drives will be available in three variants: “light engineering”, using predefined options; “engineered to order”, combining predefined options and customer-specific adaptations; and “fully engineered to order”, which are a completely customised. Aspects that can be customised include cooling for outdoor use, back-to-back configurations, and labelling. As well as building and load-testing the drives, Schneider will commission them on-site and train staff, if required.
A common mode structure reduces voltage peaks for smoother waveforms, thus reducing stress on the driven motors and extending their lives. Embedded “Internet of Things” technology is said to result in improvements through automation, real-time data management and connectivity for process performance, energy, and asset management.
