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Expanded drives family adds new capabilities
Published:  07 January, 2014

At the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, ABB announced several extensions to its ACS880 family of industrial drives including: higher power ranges for cabinet-built versions; high-power single-drive module packages; increased protection (IP55) for wall-mounted single drives; and the capability to control synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motors.

The ACS880-07 cabinet-built single drives now include new inverter and diode supply modules that extend their power range up to 2.8MW, and their voltage range from 380 to 690V. The diode supply modules are available in six- or 12-pulse variants. The drives offer protection levels from IP22 to IP54, while removable pedestals simplify connections and maintenance

ABB’s ACS880-04 single-drive packages offer an alternative to cabinet-built single drives. They include the parallel-connected R8i inverter module and D8T half controlled diode bridge with thyristor charging. The drives span ratings up to 2.2MW and voltages from 380 to 690V, and are optimised for assembly into user’s cabinets. Quick connectors and removable fan pedestals are said to make motor cabling fast and easy.

The compact, IP55-protected ACS880-01 wall-mounted single drives come in nine frame sizes, covering ratings up to 250kW. They need less space, cabling and filtering than cabinet-installed drives, and are suitable for use in narrow spaces.

ABB's ACS880 single-drive module packages offer an alternative to cabinet-built drives

The ACS880 drives can be supplied with application-specific control programs, including materials-handling routines designed for precise control of hoist, trolley and travel motion in crane applications. Dedicated control programs are also available for: oil-lifting pumps; winder controls for web materials; and for separating solids from liquids in separators and centrifuges.

The ACS880 drives can also be used to control ABB’s magnet-free IE4 synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motors, which produce full torque at zero speed and accurate torque control across the entire speed range. The motors deliver a similar performance to permanent magnet motors, but with the cost and maintenance requirements of induction motors. The DTC (direct torque control) system built into the ACS880 drives avoids the need for speed feedback from the SynRM motors.