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Basic drive targets rugged applications
Published:  21 December, 2012

At the recent SPS/IPC/Drives show in Germany, Siemens announced a single-axis drive for basic applications. The compact, rugged Sinamics V20 inverter promises short commissioning times and simple operation. It comes in four sizes from 0.12–15kW and can be connected directly in line, and mounted on a wall or as a push-through installation. No further modules or options are needed, minimising the installation time.

An indication of the intended markets for the drive is that Siemens launched it in China and India, before showing it in Europe. A “keep running” mode adapts the drive to the power supply conditions for higher availability when it is operated on unstable networks.

The simple built-in operator panel allows on-site commissioning and operation. A Modbus interface supports communications with third-party controls. Pre-configured connection and application macros facilitate application-specific settings. For drives above 7.5kW, the brake resistor can be connected directly to an integrated brake chopper.

Operation is said to be as easy as commissioning. Parameters that have been optimised for one application can be transferred to other drives. User data can be saved on SD or MMC cards – even without a power supply being present – and loaded again when needed. Tailored interconnection and application macros provide the right settings for particular applications.

The Sinamics V20 has an energy-optimised control mode which adapts the magnetic flux in the motor to the prevailing operating point. A DC link coupling enables efficient operation of two inverters in grouped installations. The drive can be set to a "hibernation" mode, prolonging the life of the motor and reducing wear on other components