Allen Bradley Alternative

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We’ve Been Servicing the Industrial World Since 1983.

Minimize Your Downtime. Maximize Your Productivity.

Call Toll Free: 1.877.625.2402

Customers of Precision Electric who use Allen Bradley products typically get frustrated when they don’t get support or more frequently, have to sign an expensive contract to get support. Eventually these customers seek alternative products for their applications. Precision Electric recommends Parker/SSD drive solutions for customers looking for an alternative to Allen Bradley. We have been a systems integrator as well as certified repair facility for Parker/SSD products since 1996.

Parker offers a full range of drives from stepper, compact and high performance servo, AC variable speed, high current output DC to panel mounted drives. Parker industry leading drives include Sensorless, Vector and Microstepping options. Parker drives are suitable for speed, torque or position control and are available in power ranges from fractional to over 2,000 hp.

Drive product offerings from Parker:

  • Open loop V/Hz speed control for induction motors
  • Sensorless vector and closed loop flux vector control
  • Brushless AC and DC servo control
  • Programmable servo drives
  • Stepper and microstepper
  • Field bus and ethernet based motion bus
  • Packaged systems in NEMA enclosure panels

Parker power electronics are used in a wide variety of markets ranging from industrial to life sciences and are supported by a highly technical distribution network around the globe.

  • Thousands of standard drive configurations
  • Custom engineered drives designed to your OEM application
  • Global manufacturing and service with local application support

Parker drives products carry international industrial approvals, including UL, cUL and CE marking.

Parker drive/controllers support numerous industry-standard fieldbus protocols including:

  • CANOpen
  • Ethernet IP
  • Ethernet Powerlink
  • Ethercat
  • Profibus
  • Modbus and others

Products are available as standalone packages or PC-bus cards. Call or email for further information.

Ryan Chamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]
Call Toll Free: 1.877.625.2402

 

 

Variable speed drive energy savings

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We’ve Been Servicing the Industrial World Since 1983.

Minimize Your Downtime. Maximize Your Productivity.

Call Toll Free: 1.877.625.2402

The use of variable frequency drives on variable torque loads for the purpose of gaining energy savings is a common application. Variable frequency drives operate as load controls within applications that may accomplish up to 50% reduction in energy costs. In general, an electric motor will turn at a rate proportional to the frequency of the alternating current (AC) applied to it. The majority of Variable Frequency Drives in the market today contain electronic circuitry that converts a 60Hz Line power into direct current. The VFD converts this line power into a pulsed output voltage that duplicates varying alternating current to a desired frequency.

In our ever growing world of technology variable frequency drives have over the past decade allowed to become a cost efficient way to reduce energy costs and increase system efficiencies. Today manufacturers around the globe within a wide range of industries are finding more ways to apply variable frequency drives to their manufacturing equipment.

From past experience, smaller HP drives typically fail in eight years and are more often replaced rather than repaired. Larger HP drives last longer by virtue of repairs that often require replacement circuit boards and other components. After bearing the cost of two or three replacement boards in any one drive, the user often realizes that the drive should have been junked sooner.

For an even more in depth explanation of Variable Frequency Drives go to Wikipedia.

RyanChamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

AC Tech mc series manual & Lenze smvector drive

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If you need any AC Tech variable frequency drive literature, everything you’re looking for can be found right here on our website. Simply click the Manuals tab in the top right corner of this page. The following AC Tech literature can be found here: on our website.

SMV Series
Sub Micro Series
MC Series
MCH Series

All of the literature that AC Tech has available on their website, is available on our website. Precision Electric also has digital documentation available for Lenze products, Baldor products, and other manufacturers’ literature whom we work with. If you need specific documentation and you cannot find it elsewhere, send me an email request.

Precision Electric service fliers, brochures, line cards and other related documentation is available here on our website via PDF. If you click the Capabilities tab in the top right corner of this page you will be able to download these files. If you do not find the information you need on our website, email me, and I’ll do my best to help.

RyanChamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

download Lenze AC Tech smv literature manual

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If you need any AC Tech variable frequency drive literature, everything you’re looking for can be found right here on our website. Simply click the Manuals tab in the top right corner of this page. The following AC Tech literature can be found here on our website:

SMV Series
Sub Micro Series
MC Series
MCH Series

All of the literature that AC Tech has available on their website, is available on our website. Precision Electric also has digital documentation available for Lenze products, Baldor products, and other manufacturers’ literature whom we work with. If you need specific documentation and you cannot find it elsewhere, send me an email request.

Precision Electric service fliers, brochures, line cards and other related documentation is available here on our website via PDF. If you click the Capabilities tab in the top right corner of this page you will be able to download these files. If you do not find the information you need on our website, email me, and I’ll do my best to help out.

RyanChamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

Lenze-AC Tech Variable Frequency Drive Products

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Variable frequency inverters are used for electronic speed control of AC induction motors. The needs of the market are wide and varied, and we offer a broad range of standard products for everything from simple speed control to complex; each with a wide range of functionality, small physical size and exceptional performance. Our drives are reliable, flexible to apply, easy to commission, and meet the highest standards of quality. Lenze-AC Tech provide solutions to fulfill nearly any inverter requirement in the power range between 0.25 and 400 kW.

SMV Standard Enclosure

  • NEMA 1 (IP31)
  • 120V – 600V
  • 0.33 to 30HP ( 0.25 – 22kW)
  • Open-loop Vector, V/Hz

Washdown Enclosure

  • NEMA 4X (IP65)
  • 120V – 600V
  • 0.33 to 30HP ( 0.25 – 22kW)
  • Open-loop Vector, V/Hz

Integral Disconnect

  • NEMA 4X (IP65)
  • Integral Motor & Drive Disconnect
  • 0.33 to 10HP ( 0.25 – 7.5kW)
  • Open-loop Vector, V/Hz

MC Series

  • 120-590V
  • 00.25 to 150 Hp (0.18-110kW)
  • NEMA 1 (IP31), NEMA 4(X) (IP65), NEMA 12 (IP54)
  • V/Hz

MCH Series

  • 200-590V
  • 1.0 to 250 Hp (0.75-185kW)
  • NEMA 1 (IP31), NEMA 4(X) (IP65), NEMA 12 (IP54)
  • V/Hz

Lenze – AC Tech offers many other products including but not limited to servo drives, gearmotor drives, and more. To learn more about additional Lenze – AC Tech products please contact me direct.

Ryan Chamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

Reading VFD Nameplate Data Off Of Your SMVector Drive (Video)

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For those of you who are familiar or unfamiliar with Lenze / AC Techs SMVector series drive they have come a long way since their conception. All AC Tech products are manufactured in Uxbridge Massachusettes. Today we discuss how to read the nameplate data off of the drive. It is not as complicated as most might think. This is a great way to determine what voltage inputs, frequencies, phases are required and how to determine whether the Variable Frequency Drive itself is an adequate enough size for the motor you want to connect to it. Enjoy!

Lenze EtherNet/IP for SMVector

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Lenze-AC Tech announces the release of EtherNet/IP as an optional communication protocolfor the SMVector Drive. According to Mike Bailey, Product Sales Manager at Lenze-AC Tech, the SMVector AC Drive can seamlessly operate on an EtherNet/IP network with the addition of a simple plug-in communication module. Othernetwork protocolsare also available as option modules including CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus and Modbus RS-485, states Bailey.

EtherNet/IP is a member of the DeviceNet and ControlNet family of Common Industrial Protocols (CIP) developed byAllen-Bradley(Rockwell Automation ROK). As a member of the CIP family, EtherNet/IP can utilize the same set of pre-defined common objects, thus making communication between devices from different manufacturers much easier.

According to Lenze-AC Tech company officials, Lenze-AC Tech worked together with Allen-Bradley engineers to ensure complete product compatibility. We first added EtherNet/IP to our PositionServo Drive and since then, our customers have been looking for EtherNet/IP for their AC Drive Solutions, says Bailey, and he adds, Allen-Bradley remains the largest implementer of EtherNet/IP, with most applications in the packaging and automotive markets; providing Allen-Bradley compatibility and multiple communication options for all of our products allows our customers to choose the fieldbus that best fits their automation application as well as their physical network. Bailey explains that EtherNet/IP is a popular industrial network solution because it can support a nearly unlimited amount of nodes, can be used on a single point connection for configuration and control and permits devices to send and receive messages simultaneously.

Ryan Chamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

CNC Machining & Dynamic Braking with High Frequency Output Inverter Applications 0-400hz

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We often receive inquiries for variable frequency drives that are capable of high frequency output. Spindle applications such as CNC equipment generally use a high frequency output, up to 400Hz.

Customers often have trouble locating the proper product for these applications. Precision Electric offers a few different options for these type of applications. Our number one recommended product for high frequency output applications is the Lenze/AC Tech SMV Drive.

The SMV drive is designed for several types of applications, including high frequency output. The standard maximum output on many variable frequency drives is 60 -120 hz. The Lenze/AC Tech SMV has capabilities from 0-400hz, right out of the box. We also offer other Lenze/AC Tech products that have a high frequency output option; such as the Lenze/AC Tech MC series and Lenze/AC Tech SCF series drives. However, if you need either an SCF or MC series drive with high frequency output, you must specify that you need the high frequency option. The SCF and MC series products do not come factory equipped with the high frequency option unless specified when your order is placed.

Machine Tool applications such as the spindle on a CNC machine often run their equipment off of high frequency inverters. Typically dynamic braking kits are required when using high frequency output on this equipment.

When CNC machines are running at high speeds the inertia of the spindle causes the motor to become a generator once the stop button is engaged. Voltage generated from the motor goes back onto the DC bus in the drive. This often will cause the drive to trip on an “over bus fault”. This problem is addresed by adding a dynamic brake kit to the drive. The dynamic brake switch will turn on when the bus voltage reaches a preset level to disapate this excess energy across a set of resistors. This will prevent the drive from faulting. The required resistor wattage is determined by the inertia of the load and often requires more wattage than a standard dynamic brake kit will offer. The expert sales staff at Precision Electric will assist you when selecting a drive/brake package for these applications.

RyanChamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

Derate Three Phase VFD for Single Phase Power

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There are many customers who want to derate their three phase Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for single phase power.

Some manufacturers offer products that are designed for single phase input, three phase output. The products that are available for single phase input, three phase output max out at 3hp or 5hp. If the electric motor available is three phase and is larger than 5 horsepower, and only single phase power is available, you’ll have to derate the three phase VFD for single phase power.

The formula we use to derate variable frequency drives for single phase power is as follows: AC electric motor current multiplied by 1.73, then size three phase (vfd) variable frequency drive with the corresponding amps. Most times to derate a three phase VFD for single phase power can be done by going up one size. Typically, a 10hp three phase motor would need at least a 15hp or 20hp vfd in order to run off single phase power.

For example. Lets say I have a 7.5hp motor that pullsapproximately 23 amps; I want to use a vfd, however I only have single phase 230V line voltage. I need to multiply the 23 amps by 1.73 which gives me the new revised current (39.73 amps) Now I know I need a three phase 230V drive that is rated at40 amps or higher.Avfd that is rated at approximately 40 amps is about 15hp,and for this particular application would run a 7.5hp 240V driveperfect on 240V single phase power.

Precision Electric, Inc highly recommends contacting someone with experience to safely install variable frequency drives and/or electric motors. Call Precision Electric today to derate a three phase vfd for single phase power.

 

Inverter Duty Motors VS General Purpose Motors

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General purpose AC motors have been around for many years. An inverter-duty motor is a much newer concept that became necessary as motors began to be driven by variable frequency drives.

An inverter-duty motor can withstand the higher voltage spikes producted by all VFDs and can run at very slow speeds without overheating. This performance comes at a cost: inverter-duty motors can be much more expensive than general purpose motors.

General purpose motors can be run with drives in many applications; however inverter-duty motors are designed to handle much lower speeds without overheating and they are capable of withstanding higher voltage spikes without their insulation failing.

With the increased performance associated with inverter-duty motors comes an increase in cost. This additional cost can be worth it if you need greater performance.

 

SMV Parameter Setup & High Frequency Output

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Setting up SMV Drive Parameters

1. Enter the edit parameter mode by:

a. With the drive powered up the display should read Stop.

b. Press the M key once. The drive will flash PASS then display 0000

c. Using the arrow keys change the display to read the default password 0225

d. Press the M key once. You can now use the arrow keys to navigate to the parameter you want to change.

Changing the SMV to high frequency mode above 120hz:

1. Enter the edit parameter mode

2. Navigate to parameter P103 (Maximum Frequency Output)

3. Press the M key once.

4. Use the arrow keys to change the maximum frequency to the desired value. The range of adjustment is 7.5 hz to 500 hz. When changing this parameter to a value higher than 120 hz you must stop first at 120 hz. The drive will flash Hi Fr. Release the button for one second. Press the key again to proceed to the desired value higher than 120 hz.

5. Press the M key once. The maximum frequency is now set to the desired value.

 

Dynamic Brake Selection for Sub-Micro & SMV Series Drives

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Dynamic braking is used when an overhauling load causes regeneration from the motor to occur, especially in situations where the required deceleration time to stop the motor cannot be achieved due to High Voltage nuisance tripping. Most Lenze-AC Tech DB circuits are rated for light-duty use only. The dynamic braking (DB) control circuit is connected to and monitors the fixed DC bus line. When the DC bus reaches 114% of the maximum tolerance, it triggers the chopper circuit in the dynamic brake. The DB circuit will be active whenever the voltage rises on the DC bus. This can occur while the drive is running, while it accelerates or decelerates or even when it is stopped. Using dynamic braking allows a faster deceleration time of a high inertia load. However, fast deceleration of a high inertia load may sometimes cause regeneration and trip the drive into a High Voltage fault. To avoid this, a dynamic brake chopping circuit is switched on when the voltage levels exceed the rated tolerance and brake resistors dissipate the regenerated voltage as excess energy.

Thermal Protection from Overload for the DB Module

Lenze-AC Tech brake modules rated at 0.33 to 10 HP have resistors that are internally mounted. In these modules there is a thermistor that monitors the resistors temperature and can be connected back to the drive to trigger a drive fault.

Using a Lenze-AC Tech DB with Another Manufacturer’s Drive

Applications Support is often asked if the Lenze-AC Tech DB module can be used with a non-Lenze AC Tech drive. This is not possible. The Lenze-AC Tech sub-micro drives have specific inputs that are set to trigger the Lenze-ACTech DB modules. Other VFD manufacturers may encounter problems trying to trigger the DB chopper properly. 1 For the SMVector drives, the dynamic braking module includes a small connector that plugs onto the drive’s DC Bus Board for the B+ and B- connections. A set of mounting instructions is included.

Specifications for these Dynamic Brake Kits and diagrams are available on AC Tech Lenze manual#AN 0039A which can be viewed via PDF at our website at:

http://actech.com/documents/techlib/AN0039A.pdf