Power management company Eaton is offering its new PowerXL DG1 variable frequency drive series as a solution for demanding industrial and building automation applications for ratings from 0.55 to 160 kW to their customers in Africa.With features such as an optimised energy algorithm, robust design, extreme short-circuit current capability, extensive and integrated functionality as well as being extremely user-friendly, these devices enable users to implement electrical equipment, systems and machinery with greater efficiency, safety and reliability.
The PowerXL DG1 adjustable frequency drive has been specifically designed to reduce energy usage and improve motor performance and system reliability. Product features include Eaton’s patented Active Energy Control algorithm to optimize energy usage, a kilowatt (kW) meter for power monitoring, and an onboard energy savings calculator to capture the cost savings provided by the PowerXL DG1 drive.
The active energy control feature allows the drive to control a motor based on a linear volts per hertz relationship. Eaton’s patented Active Energy Control algorithm dynamically adjusts the voltage down at a given reference frequency, optimizing the performance of the motor, while minimizing power usage.
The active energy control algorithm is active as standard out of the box when using the factory default setting for V/Hz Mode. Once the drive is given a run command it will output a given reference frequency and voltage level which is determined based off the initialized V/Hz relationship.
“The algorithm on the PowerXL DG1 has been tested against other manufactured drives out of the box configuration and the test results yield a 2 to 10% cost savings when compared against a standard linear V/Hz curve performance,” says Kyle Danielson, product manager: Drives and Soft Starters, Eaton Africa.
“Additionally, the algorithm has been compared to both the static and dynamically adjusting control algorithms of other manufacturers, and still Active Energy Control exceeds the competitions performance in the overall percentage of cost savings”.
The DG1 offers an overload withstand capability of 110 % for variable torques and 150 % for constant torques. The short-circuit current capability of the variable frequency drives at 100 kAIC is well over the average. Thanks to an integrated DC link choke, the variable frequency drive only has a very small harmonic component, so that the user does not require additional external components. EMC filters (C2) are likewise standard for all devices.
The variable frequency drive series comes in six sizes with protection class IP21 for all housings. A special coating protects the electronic boards from dust, humidity and chemicals. For harsher environmental conditions or remote operation, the housing can be retrofitted to IP54 with a conversion kit. The operating range of the DG1 is from 35 to 50 °C thanks to a special heating mode. With derating it can also be operated up to 60 °C.
