Motion Control & Drives


Rockwell Automation expands ­medium voltage motor control ­capability

August 2015 Motion Control & Drives

Since medium voltage motors are typically some of the largest consumers of power in heavy industries, implementing precise, smart motor control is an effective way of reducing power consumption and energy costs, along with significantly better process control. Since they were first manufactured in 1983, Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley medium voltage drives have earned a reputation for reliable, efficient motor control across the industry’s most demanding applications. The company recently extended this medium voltage range with the addition of the PowerFlex 6000, providing a cost-effective and fit-for-purpose drive.

The PowerFlex 6000 supplements the existing PowerFlex 7000 range in providing a motor control solution that is ideal for new and retrofit centrifugal fan and pump applications rated up to 10 kV.

Utilising the industry-accepted and robust cascaded 'H' bridge (CHB) voltage source inverter (VSI) topology, the PowerFlex 6000 drive provides low-input harmonics and near-unity power factor, ultimately reducing power system issues and maximising motor efficiency while providing simple use and maintenance requirements.

PowerFlex 6000 is an air-cooled drive designed exclusively for induction motors. Designed for smaller field applications, it supports motor cable lengths of up to 300 m and has a 7” WinCE colour touch screen. Supported protocols include Modbus-RTU RS-485, Modbus-TCP, Modbus-PLUS R-S485, Profibus R-S485 and EtherNet/IP communications protocols.

The PowerFlex 7000 remains the flagship PowerFlex product, offering multiple configurations and high-performance, customisable options for the diverse control needs of heavy industrial requirements. Utilising Active Front End (AFE) technology and a patented switching technique, the PowerFlex 7000 product line, rated from 2,4 kV to 6,6 kV, guarantees industrial applications the highest overall system efficiency whilst complying to stringent international standards. The drive achieves lower line harmonics and improved power quality through the AFE rectifier, which features a single rectifier bridge to maintain the lowest component count and system complexity.

A control solution for the future

Through the power of the Rockwell Automation networked control platform, the expanded Allen-Bradley PowerFlex medium voltage drive product line enables a high level of production optimisation, and increases information sharing across the enterprise. By empowering users to gain access to valuable performance and resource information from their systems, companies can attain higher asset availability, reduced energy and maintenance costs and enhanced asset and personnel protection.

All PowerFlex medium voltage drives are compatible with standard motors without derating and do not require an inverter duty motor. PowerFlex configurations have near-sinusoidal output current and voltage waveforms at all speeds and loads.

As the global economy continues to expand, constraints to growth arise as the demand for energy approaches – and in some instances exceeds – power generating capabilities. The Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley Medium Voltage PowerFlex range enhances the performance of medium voltage motor control for the most efficient industrial enterprise.

For more information contact Henry Craukamp, Rockwell Automation, +27 (0)11 654 9700, [email protected], www.rockwellautomation.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Wind energy in the Black Forest
Motion Control & Drives
For more than 20 years, numerous wind turbines have stood in the Black Forest and are now receiving a performance boost through repowering projects.

Read more...
Kollmorgen advances linear motor safety and performance
Motion Control & Drives
Kollmorgen Corporation has released the next update for the SafeMotion Monitor (SMM) firmware, SMM 3.0. This upgrade expands functional safety support for linear motors and linear axes, helping machine builders implement functional safety in industrial applications that require safety.

Read more...
PC-based control for additive machine tools
Beckhoff Automation Motion Control & Drives
IRPD is a specialist in additive machine tools. Development is heavily focused on high system throughput and consistently high process quality. This goal was achieved with the help of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff.

Read more...
Major software release for Parker PSD servo drives
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Parker Hannifin has released its PSD servo drive family delivering new control modes, advanced synchronisation functions and performance optimisations designed to improve throughput, accuracy and system efficiency in demanding industrial applications.

Read more...
Robotic positioning system drastically reduces changeover times
Beckhoff Automation Motion Control & Drives
At the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California, an advanced robotic system by Square One Systems Design and Beckhoff speeds up high-energy physics experiments.

Read more...
Lubricant contamination costs more than you think
Motion Control & Drives
Lubrication Engineers has identified that 90% of lubrication contamination happens during storage and dispensing, not during application. To address this costly problem, it offers the isoPOD, a portable ‘plug and play’ lubrication storage and dispensing unit that’s a first for the South African market.

Read more...
New generation surface drill rig
Motion Control & Drives
Epiroc South Africa is launching a new and improved PowerROC T45. This new generation surface drill rig offers increased fuel efficiency and high availability, and is a welcome addition to the PowerROC family.

Read more...
How vision-guided robotics is transforming South African manufacturing
Yaskawa Southern Africa Motion Control & Drives
In South African manufacturing, the final stages of production need more than manual labour or conventional automation. For many, vision-guided robotics is becoming the solution to smarter, more flexible end-of-line processes.

Read more...
Transporting substations for the world’s largest offshore wind farm
Motion Control & Drives
Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when it is completed. Mammoet was involved in providing transportation and weighing of the project’s three offshore substations.

Read more...
Lubrication application a key component for wire rope longevity
Motion Control & Drives
As part of its extensive work to help develop benchmarking standards for wire rope lubrication in South Africa, lubrication specialists Lubrication Engineers South Africa has found the Viper wire rope lubricator to be a key element for effective lubrication application and rope maintenance.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved