Electricity + Control March 2021

DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

New large frame drive series

an existing drive it will fit in the space available. During servicing, factory-tested sub-assemblies can be exchanged on site without returning the complete drive to base. The wider front face design and lower centre of gravity provide greater physical stability and safety during installation. An installer can handle the wiring and con- nection singlehandedly using fixed lifting points on the chassis and the comprehen- sive range of accessories supplied. Frame size 12 is an extension of Control Techniques’ Unidrive series of ac drives, used for fans, pumps, compressors and extruder applications, which makes it ideal for use in processes such as water treatment plants, handling systems and steel manufacture. All leading industrial communications protocols are supported as standard or with user-fitted option modules. The mod- ules have direct, high-speed access to all drive parameters. In addition, for high per- formance servo networks such as EtherCAT and CANopen, the drive control loops are synchronised with the communication sys- tem to eliminate delays and enhance per- formance. Controls, communication and configuration

Control Techniques, a Nidec brand, is launching a new frame size 12 drive, the largest drive in the company’s 48-year his- tory. Frame size 12, which provides 500 kW of power in a single module, is a logical progression for Control Techniques. Its previous largest drive was frame size 11, operating up to 250 kW; now it has moved to deliver a product more flexible and user friendly than anything else of its kind. Installation and servicing For many drive users, designing and building a high-power drive cubicle requires extensive in-house engineering expertise. However, the frame size 12 drive can be fitted with Control Techniques’ well regarded Unidrive M70X or its Powerdrive F300 control module and can be installed into an industry standard cubicle which accommodates the module and accessories. Alternatively, the frame is available pre-assembled in its own industry-standard cabinet, as part of the DFS Series. It has been engineered to be the lightest high-powered drive in this frame size, and one which has pre-engineered accessories to allow replacement by a single engineer in less than 30 minutes. And because the drive is smaller than any similar currently in use, every time it is chosen to replace

Control Techniques has introduced a new frame size 12 high-power drive.

Electronic drive optimisation Severe harmonic distortion can cause

New branding on electrical motors

Following its recent launchof theALPHADriveMicroandALPHADrivePlus range of variable speed drives, leading supplier of bearings and power

BI has also extended its motor range in size, with a 400 V and 525 V offering, enabling it to supply projects in the mining industry. ABB, in turn, will be able to leverage BI’s extensive 42-branch network across South Africa, covering all the major mining and in- dustrial areas where BI has a footprint. The availability of IE3 high-efficiency motors from ABB will be especially welcomed by these sectors, where cost-effectiveness and total cost of ownership are key in an increasingly difficult trading environment. “With our premium Tier 1 brand now being ABB, we have decided to consolidate our Tier 2 electrical products under one brand name, ALPHA. Therefore the BAUER electric motors change to ALPHA from January 2021,” says BI Product Manager Andries Barnard.

transmission products, Bearings International (BI), has announced the rebranding of its BAUER range of electric motors to ALPHA. The growth of BI’s market share in electric motors is one of the major strategic

initiatives it began in 2019 and recently saw its partnership with ABB being extended to include high-efficiency IE3 electric motors.

The advantages of the partnership with ABB include dealing with a local supplier versus direct imports, and the quick availability of tech- nical backup and support.

Low voltage IE3 motors from ABB Africa are now being distributed by BI.

16 Electricity + Control MARCH 2021