PALATINE, Ill. – March 22, 2004 – An extremely compact, general-purpose variable speed drive that incorporates the “plug-and-drive” operational simplicity of Telemecanique® industrial controls has been introduced by Schneider Electric. The Altivar® 31 drive is designed for the control of three-phase asynchronous motors with power ratings from 0.18 to 15 kW. Enriched functionality enables it to adapt to many applications, including material handling, pumps, fans and packaging, packing and other special machines.
Its exceptional compactness – H 145 x W 72 x D 140 mm – means the Altivar 31 drive can be mounted side by side, providing considerable savings in space. Its robust construction allows the drive to operate in severe ambient conditions, from -10 to +50 degrees Celsius, without derating the drive current. With four voltage ranges (240 VAC single-phase, 240, 500 and 600 VAC three-phase), an integrated RFI class-A filter and positive or negative logic, the Altivar 31 complies with the technical specifications and standards of all major worldwide markets. The plug-and-drive concept means the Altivar 31 is operational as soon as it is connected. Autotuning capabilities allow it to quickly adapt to the parameters of each motor and provide dynamic performance in complete safety.
Customization of the settings can be made directly using the built-in display or by using a remote terminal that can be mounted on an enclosure or control panel door. For more complex functions, it can be configured using Telemecanique PowerSuite software on a PC or Pocket PC. This universal software can program any Altivar variable speed drive or Altistart starter. With built-in Modbus and CANopen, the Transparent Ready Altivar 31 drive integrates easily and efficiently into existing industrial systems. In addition, its web server function using an Ethernet/Modbus bridge offers worldwide accessibility to information via web browsers.
The Altivar 31 drive adapts to any environment with versions available in both enclosed or kit form. The assembled IP 55 enclosure includes a Vario switch disconnector with rotary knob, a potentiometer, a reversing switch and EMC cabling. This ready-to-use solution considerably reduces costs and design time and the risks of not meeting EMC conformity. A fully customizable IP 55 enclosure is also available.
It comprises the drive only, with space available for adding the required motor starter components (switch-disconnector or circuit-breaker, switch, pilot light, potentiometer, etc.). For equipment construction, the drive kit, which can have the heatsink mounted externally, simplifies installation in control panels with other components. The Altivar 31 drive conforms to international standards: UL/CSA, CE and NOM.
For more information about Altivar variable speed drives from Schneider Electric, call 1-800-392-8781 or visit www.us.SquareD.com .Headquartered in Palatine, Ill., the North American Operating Division of Schneider Electric had sales of $2.5 billion in 2003.
The North American Operating Division is one of four geographic divisions of Schneider Electric, headquartered in Paris, France, and markets the Square D, Telemecanique and Merlin Gerin brand products to customers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the United States, Schneider Electric is best known by its flagship Square D brand, with Telemecanique becoming increasingly known in the industrial control and automation markets and supported by many Square D distributors. For 100 years, Square D has been a market-leading brand of electrical distribution and industrial control products, systems and services. Schneider Electric is a global electrical industry leader with 2003 sales of approximately $9.9 billion.
Visit Schneider Electric at www.us.SquareD.com , www.us.telemecanique.com or www.us.schneider-electric.com .
