Testing your motor control coordination
August 2024
Motion Control & Drives
Referro Systems, a supplier of control and automation solutions for the industrial sector, is warning against the risks of using untested components in motor control combinations. A motor control circuit is made up of numerous basic interconnected components that achieve the desired performance. The components will vary in size, depending on the motor’s power, but the operation principles stay the same. Therefore it is possible to design a high-performance motor control combination using a few basic components.
However, managing director, Adrian van Wyk says that combining type 1 with type 2 motor control elements without testing can have huge negative effects. If one uses an untested combination, there is a high risk of causing damage within the motor control centre, and there is also a risk of causing an arc flash, which could cause damage and serious injury to plant personnel.
Adrian van Wyk, managing director of Referro Systems.
“Testing coordinated combinations is hugely expensive, but it is very important to use these tested combinations to reduce risk, meet international standards, and ensure safe and efficient motor control combinations,” he explains. “A safer and more pragmatic approach is to rely on Rockwell Automation’s global short-circuit current rating (SCCR) tool, which provides coordinated high-fault branch circuit solutions for motor starters, soft starters, and variable speed drives.”
The one-line bill of materials provides coordinated high-fault SCCR ratings for all power devices used in the circuit, which saves customers time and effort to find and determine these ratings. The data provided by the SCCR tool is based on compliance with IEC and UL standards, pinpointing combinations that have been tested with coordination tables from 0,5 to 600 kW at various voltages and fault levels. These also include South Africa’s very unique and very common mining motor control operational voltage of 525V/550V, which is not a global test voltage.
“There are very specific products and variations of products that work together safely within a motor control circuit. These have been tested by Rockwell Automation, and are available to the public,” he adds.
The SCCR website at www.tinyurl.com/ybvztjf3 is the easy way to select safe combinations as Rockwell Automation has already tested all the different combinations, allowing companies to build their motor control combinations using complementary elements that have been tested and are compliant according to regulations. Customers can use tested combinations to ensure performance levels and safety is guaranteed.
For more information contact Referro Systems, +27 12 349 1297, info@referro.co.za, www.referro.co.za
Further reading:
Lifting and rigging solutions for offshore projects
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s dedicated Tools & Equipment Lifting and Rigging division provides solutions for lifting and rigging challenges in all industries, including automotive and tyre manufacturing, paper and pulp, sugar, forestry and agriculture, marine, and mining.
Read more...
New multipurpose lubricant for the agricultural industry
Motion Control & Drives
A multipurpose lubricant for the agricultural industry has been developed locally by FUCHS Lubricants South Africa. It is ideal for transmissions, final drives, hydraulics, and oil-immersed brakes of agricultural and even certain off-highway equipment.
Read more...
Sustainable roof tile production with new robotics solution
Yaskawa Southern Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Harvey Roofing is set to revolutionise its roof tile production through a strategic partnership with Yaskawa, leveraging a unique prototype product and cutting-edge robotics solutions to enhance efficiency, quality and sustainability.
Read more...
Servomotor bearing with low particle emissions
Motion Control & Drives
NSK is introducing a high-performance bearing for servomotors that reduces the emission of particles such as grease and oil. This breakthrough will contribute to the stable operation of vital industry machines such as robots.
Read more...
Bearings International partners with Twinsaver
Motion Control & Drives
Bearings International has teamed up with Twinsaver, a household name that has been part of South African life for over four decades.
Read more...
Perfect balance for every race
Horne Technologies
Motion Control & Drives
It goes without saying that success in Formula 1 requires a top driver. However, their chance of achieving a place on the podium depends on the car, which in turn depends on three essential factors: engine, tyres and aerodynamics. To find the optimum balance, the racing teams test models of their bolides in the wind tunnel. At Sauber, the adjustable components are moved on the model and in the test chamber using FAULHABER motors.
Read more...
Torque for a harmonious gait
Horne Technologies
Motion Control & Drives
Design Pro Technology has created the first ankle joint prosthesis, D-Ankle that actively moves the foot with a motor when walking, and holds the foot in an anatomically natural position during the course of each step. The integrated drive ensures that the control signals are converted into the appropriate movement. At its heart is a brushless motor from Faulhaber.
Read more...
Quick couplings to prevent leakage
Motion Control & Drives
Research and development in the quick coupling industry is advancing beyond functionality, and is focusing on manufacturing leak-free quick couplers which also minimise impact on the environment.
Read more...
DC microdrives bring dynamics into handling
Horne Technologies
Motion Control & Drives
The swivelling-rotary modules from the kinematics specialist, Jung Antriebstechnikbased are ideal for the highly dynamic rotation of large, high-inertia workpieces and eccentric grippers, and also for use in screwing and coiling technology. The drives are the heart of this modular automation system, and the requirements placed on them are very high. Brushless DC-motors from Faulhaber meet this need.
Read more...
At least 60 million strokes
Horne Technologies
Motion Control & Drives
Designing and constructing compact automation systems is one of the core activities of the Austrian machine manufacturer, STIWA. Its modular LTM-CI system has been optimised for small parts assembly. Linear and rotating micromotors from Faulhaber perform key tasks in these systems.
Read more...
printer friendly version