In new and retrofit applications, the new Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 4M ac drives from Rockwell Automation give users economical, easy-to-program variable frequency motor control with feed-through wiring for quick installation. Engineered for ease-of-use, the PowerFlex 4M ac drive helps users minimise mechanical machine stress and increase application flexibility.
“OEMs and panel builders understand the performance-enhancing, motor-protecting benefits of ac drive control, but using this flexible motor control option is often limited by wiring issues and complex programming,” said Felix End, European product manager, Rockwell Automation. “PowerFlex 4M ac drives give traditional electromechanical motor control and seasoned ac drive users powerful volts-per-hertz motor control in a space-saving package designed for ease-of-use.”
With power ratings from 0.2 to 11kW and voltage classes of 120, 240, 400 and 480V, the PowerFlex 4M ac drive is the smallest and most cost-effective member of the PowerFlex family of drives. The PowerFlex 4M A Frame measures 174mm (height) x 72 mm (width) x 136 mm (depth); the B Frame measures 174 x 100 x 136mm; and the C Frame measures 260 x 130 x 180mm. All frame sizes feature zero-stacking, which saves panel space by eliminating space between drives.
For ease-of-installation, Rockwell Automation engineers designed the PowerFlex 4M A- and B-Frame drives with simple DIN-rail, snap-in mounting features. Compared to traditional screw-in mounting, installing a DIN-rail-compatible PowerFlex 4M is significantly more time efficient.
For ease of information sharing and set-up, integral RS485 communications enable engineers to use the drives in a multidrop network configuration, and a serial converter module connects to any controller that has the ability to initiate DF1 messaging. Featuring the popular CopyCat function, an IP66 (NEMA/UL Type 4X) remote LCD keypad and an IP20 (NEMA/UL Type 1) handheld LCD keypad provide additional programming and control flexibility. Users can easily program, monitor and control the PowerFlex 4M drives with DriveExplorer and DriveTools SP software. The drives meet UL, CE, CSA and C-Tick standards.