Rockwell Automation’s compact ac drive stands alone or mounts on motor

Mequon, Wis. - Rockwell Automation has just introduced Bulletin 160Z AC Drive for three-phase motors in the 0.37-3.7 kW (0.5-5 hp) range at 200-240 V and 380-460 V input. It's intended for distributed, stand-alone applications as well as for mounting on most standard ac induction motors.

By Control Engineering Staff March 4, 2002
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Mequon, Wis. Rockwell Automation has just introduced Bulletin 160Z AC Drive for three-phase motors in the 0.37-3.7 kW (0.5-5 hp) range at 200-240 V and 380-460 V input. Unusual is the drive’s multi-use design. It’s intended for distributed, stand-alone applications as well as for mounting on most standard ac induction motors. In addition, 160Z AC Drive includes adapter plates for wall and flange mounting.

Each style of drive fits into the company’s compact, ‘zero-cabinet’ initiative. It includes communication modules for DeviceNet, RS-232, Profibus-DP, and Interbus-S. Two types of keypads provide the operator interface. A ‘Remote Keypad Module,’ designed to IP65 (NEMA 4) requirements, takes the place of a traditional panel-mount device, but reduces installation and start-up time plus the extent of control wiring needed. Another choice is ‘CopyCat Keypad Module,’ a handheld device that allows simplified parameter programming, with upload and download functions. Other features of 160Z AC Drive are a fault history for system diagnostics; an elapsed time meter to show hours and cycles of operation; programmable external dynamic braking; and improved I/O response time, according to Rockwell Automation.

The new drive is supplied with or without a motor for flexibility to retrofit existing installations. Product line manager Stan Ho, at Rockwell Automation’s Mequon facility, believes that the split of applications for 160Z AC Drive will likely be around 35% for standalone and 65% for motor mounted. For the latter case, Rockwell Automation supplies interface plates that mate the drive to motors of numerous manufacturers. This provision should add to the volume of integrated motor drives in the field. “It will definitely aid retrofit applications because the user does not have to bring in another make or type of motor to gain benefits from an integrated drive,” says Mr. Ho.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Frank J. Bartos, executive editor
fbartos@cahners.com