Expanded Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 520-Series of Compact AC Drives Debuts PowerFlex 523 AC Drive

Oct. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Inspired by global drive-user input, Rockwell Automation engineers designed the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 520-Series of compact AC drives, including the new, economical PowerFlex 523 AC drive, with flexible features that help users be more competitive.  Ideal for builders of simple, stand-alone machines, the PowerFlex 523 AC drive balances user needs for “just enough” control with a design that lowers total costs to design, develop and deliver machines.

“When we designed the PowerFlex 520-Series drives, we travelled to hundreds of drive users around the world to learn first hand which features they value most today and would want five years from now,” said Jimmy Koh, Global Marketing Manager, Component Class Drives, Rockwell Automation.  “Stand-alone machine builders wanted ‘just enough’ motor control and emphatically shared the need for features that eased configuration and speed installation.  This is where their profitability was most affected, and we designed the PowerFlex 523 to meet those needs.”

Ease of Configuration

To make configuration easier, machine builders can use a standard USB connection for uploading and downloading drive-configuration files.  They also can programme the drive through its built-in human interface module (HIM), which displays data on the drive’s LCD with scrolling QuickView text and detailed explanations of parameters and other codes.  The HIM also has multiple language options to address global needs.  Unique to the PowerFlex 520-Series AC Drives, AppView and CustomView tools help speed configuration by providing groups of parameters for common applications and by allowing users to save their settings to new parameter groups.  These tools can be easily accessible via the HIM, as well as configuration-software tools.

Connected Components Workbench software from Rockwell Automation also helps speed drive configuration and further reduces development time with on- and offline configuration, AppView and CustomView groups, and start-up wizards.  Machine builders gain more time to focus on design and improve a machine’s competitiveness.

For more sophisticated networked machines, machine builders can take advantage of an optional dual-port EtherNet/IP adapter for the PowerFlex 523 AC drive.  This module supports ring topologies and provides device level ring (DLR) functionality, which can help provide network resiliency and drive-machine availability.  When a DLR network detects a break in the ring, it quickly provides alternate routing of the data to help recover.  The dual-port adapter supports linear topologies in addition to ring configurations.  Additionally, ring topologies can remove the need for an external switch and reduce necessary cabling.  Adding a dual-port EtherNet/IP adapter to a PowerFlex 523 AC drive provides Automatic Device Configuration, which saves time by automatically downloading configuration files when a drive is replaced.

Flexible Control and Modular Design Improves Application Flexibility

The PowerFlex 523 AC drive addresses a wide range of application needs.  The drive has a power range of 0.25 hp (0.2 kW) – 15 hp (11 kW) and motor-control options including volts-per-hertz, sensorless vector control and Economiser mode in sensorless vector control.

The modular design of the PowerFlex 523 AC drive gives machine builders greater installation flexibility.  Removing the drive’s control module from its power module further reduces startup time, as machine builders can complete configuration and installation simultaneously.

The PowerFlex 523 AC drive requires 50 mm (2 inches) of clearance on the top and bottom when installing into a cabinet and can be installed vertically or horizontally, as well as side by side in either orientation.  This smaller clearance and mounting flexibility can help customers reduce the panel space. In addition to the flexible installation, the PowerFlex 523 AC drive is rated up to 50 C (140 F).  With an optional control-module fan kit, the drive can withstand temperatures up to 70 C (158 F) with current derating.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. , the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs about 22,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

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Media contact:

Citra Prasetyo
Asia-Pacific Connections for Rockwell Automation
citra@apconnections.com
+65 6334 9045