Variable speed drive from Schneider Electric delivers energy efficiency

The Altivar 12 variable speed AC drive delivers flexibility, performance and energy efficiency in a compact package.

By Control Engineering Staff June 11, 2009

The drive’s compact design and intuitive user interface more common to high-end devices simplifies system design and reduces programming and start-up times. The use of a new generation of components is designed to provide a 10-year service life or more even under less-than-ideal operating conditions (based on MTBF data).“The Altivar 12 drive is an example of how drives are becoming more advanced and capable of delivering energy efficiency in a wider variety of applications,” says Jeff Jervah, business director for automation and drive solutions for Schneider Electric. “With its small format and nearly 150 application-specific advanced functions, the Altivar 12 it can easily outperform other drives in its category as well as many higher-end drives that may be oversized for the applications they control.”Installation requires only a screwdriver, and the rotary adjustment and navigation button provides intuitive fingertip access to the drive’s programming. An optional unique configuration console further allows OEMs and panel builders to configure the drive in its original packaging with the power off, saving time and money normally spent on manually entering parameters.The Altivar 12 drive provides excellent speed and torque control and rapid detection of motor current peaks using proprietary motor control algorithms. This is vital for applications that require good motor control despite machine load changes. The catch-on-the-fly feature improves responsiveness and system reliability.

– Edited by Renee Robbins , senior editor

Control Engineering News Desk

Motors and Drives channel