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How To Interpret The AC Tech SMVector Part Number

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Anyone who has spent a fair amount of time working with catalogs and price books understands that each company designates their part numbers differently. Lenze / AC Tech does this in a very intuitive way for their SMVector series of AC Drives. This allows support specialists and field techs to quickly identify hardware in the field.

The importance of a clear part number designation cannot be undervalued. Many times randomized part numbers can be used making it difficult to adequately specify a replacement for an existing unit. Lenze / AC Tech created an all encompassing solution by breaking up the part number into four separate categories: Power Rating, Communications, Input Voltage, Input Phase, Input Line Filter and Enclosure.

Abstract:

This article illustrates how to interpret the part number on any Lenze / AC Tech SMVector drive.

How To Interpret The AC Tech SMVector Part Number:

 

1. When looking at the nameplate of your AC Tech SMVector drive, you will notice the part number is designated under the category of Type: as shown in section B of the image below.

SMV Nameplate Overview and Designation

2. The SMVector Drive part number is broken up into the following 7 different categories: Power Rating, Communications Module, Input Voltage, Input Phase, Input Line Filter and Enclosure.

SMV Part Number Designation

3. If we take the sample part number from Step 1 (ESV751N04TXB), we interpret the following information about the drive based upon the SMV Number Type Designation

  • ESV – SMVector Series Drive
  • 751 – 0.75 kW (or 1 HP)
  • N0 – No Extra Communication Installed, Standard Keypad
  • 4 – 400 / 480 VAC
  • T – Three Phase Input Only
  • X – No EMC Filter / No Disconnect Switch
  • B – NEMA 1 / IP31; Indoor only

4. For many, just the part number from Lenze / AC Tech offers a massive amount of information about the device allowing for extended support on product replacements and alternatives.

Conclusion:

The Lenze / AC Tech part number is a great tool to have on hand. It is important to note that external communications can be purchased separately and the option for communications may not actually reflect what is being used in the field. For this reason, it is extremely important to gather additional information on top of the standard nameplate information when troubleshooting the drive.

What is a Variable Speed Drive?

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What is a Variable Speed Drive?Variable speed drives are also known as variable frequency drives, VFD’s, adjustable speed drives,  and inverters. Variable speed drives are solid state motor control systems used mainly for industrial manufacturing. Variable speed drives are designed to control the speed of an electric motor. Variable speed drives can reduce energy costs up to 50% by speed reduction on applications where the full speed (RPM) of the electric motor is not required.

The energy saved on a utility bill from using a variable speed drive is often significant enough to pay for the variable speed drive within a couple of months from installation date. Variable speed drives are commonly used on pump, fan, and air compressor applications, and are often used in manufacturing facilities to increase or decrease the start up time on alternating current (AC) electric motors.

Increasing and/or decreasing the start up time on an AC current electric motor via a variable speed drive can add years to the motor’s overall lifespan. Using a variable speed drive can also improve efficiency on production demands. Variable speed drives provide the ability to control the frequency of starting and stopping an AC electric motor. This ability provides a means by which an AC electric motor is only operating when needed. AC electric motors have a longer lifespan if they are not continuously operating when they do not need to be.

Types of Variable Speed Drives

What is a Variable Speed Drive?The most common type of variable speed drive is known as a V/Hz (volts per  hertz), and are applied to applications such as fans, pumps, air compressors, and other related applications where high starting torque is not required. V/Hz variable speed drive applications typically do not require full torque when the AC motor is operating at less than the base speed (RPM) of the electric motor. V/Hz variable speed drives are the most inexpensive type of variable speed drive. V/Hz variable speed drives do not provide full motor torque at low RPM.

Open-Loop vector drives are also known as s”ensorless vector” variable speed drives. Open loop vector drives adapted the name “sensorless vector” because they do not use an external encoder for speed feedback to the motor.  Open loop vector drives are used in applications where high starting torque and full torque at low speed (RPM) is required. Open-Loop vector drives operating a motor a zero RPM should not be used on crane or hoist applications. Most open-loop vector drives are used on CNC machines, mixers, mills, lathes, and other applications where high starting torque or full torque at low RPM is needed. Open loop vector drives are usually more expensive than a V/Hz variable speed drives.

Closed-Loop vector drives are used in applications where precise speed control (0.01%) is needed, or in applications where extensive programming is needed. Closed-Loop vector drives use an encoder on the motor to provide constant shaft position indication to the drive’s microprocessor. The encoder feedback allows the drive microprocessor to constantly control torque no matter how many RPM the motor is operating at. Closed-Loop vector drives are used to provide the motor to operate at full torque even at zero RPM. Closed-Loop vector drives are commonly used on hoist and crane applications because crane and hoist motors must produce full torque prior to it’s brake being released, or the load will drop and it will not be able to stop.