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`Green` drive complies with WEEE and RoHS

01 March, 2005

`Green` drive complies with WEEE and RoHS

Schneider Electric has announced the availability of what it claims is the first general-purpose drive designed to meet the requirements of the EU`s WEEE and RoHS recycling and hazardous substances directives. The new Telemecanique Altivar 71 drive, developed by Schneider`s joint venture with Toshiba, is a continuous torque system covering ratings from 0.37-500kW. It will supersede the earlier Altivar 58 and 68 models.

The new drive has been designed, as far as possible, to use materials with a low environmental impacts. About 85% of its components will be recyclable.

Efficiency has also been an important criterion and the new drive uses trench IGBT power devices which, together with other heat-management techniques, have helped to cut the heat output by 10-15%. This, in turn, has resulted in drives that are up to 55% smaller than their predecessors.

The Altivar 71 has a display that uses messages and graphics to make commissioning and operation easier. OEMs can customise the display to suit their own applications.

The drive can be fitted with a Bluetooth wireless link, allowing it to configured remotely from a PC or PocketPC, without having to open the panel door.

The drive`s specifications include: an over-torque capability of 220%; output frequencies up to 1kHz; a 2ms response time on logic commands; the ability to withstand 50% voltage drops without tripping; built-in PID control for process applications; operation at up to 50°C without de-rating; and full torque at zero speed if feedback is implemented. A power removal safety function prevents motors starting unintentionally in accordance with EN 954-1, category 3.

Options include a choice of ten communications cards, in addition to the built-in Modbus and CANopen, as well as extra I/O and encoder interfaces. A plug-in programmable card with a real-time clock allows the Altivar 71 to control other drives and to exchange data with them.

The drive will be available in the UK initially in ratings up to 75kW, and will be extended over the coming months up to 500kW. Later this year, it will be joined by a variable torque model, the Altivar 61, intended for continuous-duty applications such as fans, pumps and compressors, from 0.75-630kW. The old Altivar 58 and 68 models will continue to be available until the end of 2008. The new drive will also be available in a Toshiba version.




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