ABB has launched a new series of high-performance DC drives, designed for easy installation. All controllers have guided commissioning included as standard, which means the drive can be installed by the end user, in most cases without reference to the manual. Connecting the DCS800 is also very straightforward, with connections simply comprising three cables in and four cables out. The drive detects the phase sequence automatically, meaning the user does not need to worry about in-phase connection. Plug-in expansion modules, which can be added without tools, are readily available.
Ease of installation is of great significance for retrofits, where the time for installation is often very limited as the work frequently has to be carried out over a weekend.
OEMs will benefit from the ability to use the DCS 800 all over the world, thanks to supply voltages of 230 - 525 VAC, 50/60Hz, plus CE, cULus and C-Tick approvals as standard. The control panel can display information in eight different languages, including Russian and Chinese.
The DCS800 shares many features with ABB’s range of AC drives, giving familiarity for users with both AC and DC drives on site. One of the common elements is the control panel, featuring a high-resolution display and context-sensitive assignments for individual keys, similar to a mobile phone.
The DCS800 also features several innovations that make it easy to control drives remotely. Fast, high-performance peer-to-peer communication allows data to be simply exchanged directly from drive to drive.
Standard programming language
A powerful PLC is provided with each unit, allowing the user to handle local control tasks affordably and efficiently directly in the drive. For programming purposes, the widely used CoDeSys standard tool is used, which supports all IEC-61131 languages. Besides a comprehensive library of standard building blocks, users are provided with convenient drive-specific functions, like PID controllers, winders or tensile force computations. The source files can be filed together with the application in the drive on a memory card to keep them safe, with the option of password protection.
The DCS800 is primarily aimed at demanding applications in the metals and paper industries. It can also be used as a power supply in battery charging and electrolysis applications.
The DCS800 offers a wide power range, from 25 to 5,200 A. Modules can be connected in parallel up to 20,000. Field converters are built in, up to 25 A and external to 520 A. The I/O is backward compatible with its predecessors in the DCS500 and DCS600 series.