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HVAC drive saves space and is easy to install

11 July, 2016

ABB has announced a VSD (variable-speed drive) dedicated to HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) applications, which can operate with any type of HVAC motor rated from 0.75–250kW, including induction, permanent magnet and synchronous reluctance (SynRM) types. The ACH580 drive, which incorporates and BACnet and Modbus communications, can be integrated with automation systems.

The ready-to-install drive incorporates key components internally including fieldbus adaptors, an STO (safe torque-off) function, motor heating technologies, PID loop controls, and a swinging DC choke technology which is said to save weight while reducing harmonics. A built-in energy optimiser operates for both vector and scalar control and is said to cut energy consumption by up to 10% by reducing magnetisation losses.

ABB says that combining the drive with its IE4 SynRM (synchronous reluctance) motors delivers the best and most energy-efficient performance of any system on the market. The drive calculates energy savings (in terms of kWh, CO2 and money) and can display the information locally or send it to building management systems via a fieldbus. Further energy savings are achieved by using variable-speed internal fans.

The VSD, which has an IE2 efficiency rating, is available in either IP55 or IP21 enclosures with the same footprint, reducing installation space. It can also be supplied in an IP55W (weatherproof) enclosure for outdoor use in direct sunlight and in temperatures from –15°C to +50°C. A rear back plate allows the drive to be mounted in “free space”, as well as onto flat surfaces or side-by-side. ABB says that the ability to mount drives rated up to 250kW on a wall can cut space requirements by 70% in retrofit applications. All of the frame sizes are smaller than their predecessors.

ABB's ACH580 drive has a dedicated display for HVAC applications

The drive is said to be easy to commission using a dedicated HVAC keypad with an editable text facility and control panel “assistants”. As well as monitoring how much energy it has saved, the drive offers advanced warning when either itself or the driven load need maintenance.

Embedded BACnet MS/TP and HVAC communications protocols allow users to control applications, report findings and perform diagnostics. BACnet IP over EtherNet and Lonworks can be added as plug-in options.




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