PALATINE, Ill. - September 21, 2006 - Square D brand E-Flex enclosed drive controllers are an efficient and economical solution for commercial and industrial HVAC pump and fan applications. Recently released by Schneider Electric, the E-Flex enclosed drive controllers are well-suited for HVAC systems in buildings, hospitals, schools, manufacturing facilities, airports and convention centers. “The E-Flex enclosed drive controllers can increase energy efficiency by reducing the motor speed of HVAC equipment, based on the needs of the building environment,” said Harvey Eure, product manager, enclosed drives, Schneider Electric.
“In many instances, the payback period for using an adjustable frequency drive in place of other flow control methods is less than 18 months.” The rugged components and sturdy industrial-grade enclosures of the E-Flex enclosed drives are designed to withstand harsh environments and meet the 2003 International Building Code and ASCE 7 standards for seismic qualification. E-Flex enclosed drive controllers were subjected to actual shaker table tests for seismic ratings, not just theoretical calculations. The product is designed and constructed to withstand the violent vibrations of a seismic event.
“This means that E-Flex enclosed drive controllers provide the required structural integrity to keep a facility running smoothly after a seismic event,” Eure said.The enclosed drives feature fully rated motor isolation and bypass contactors, with mechanical and electrical interlocks to prevent accidental voltage back feed. A standard feature includes a 3 percent line reactor to provide transient protection from surge and overvoltage, and to minimize line harmonic currents. E-Flex enclosed drive controllers meet both indoor and outdoor application requirements with Type 1, Type 12/12K and Type 3R enclosures. Type 1 enclosures are designed for indoor, non-dusty environments, while Type 12/12K enclosures protect against dust and dripping liquids.
Type 3R enclosures permit installation on rooftops or other outdoor locations and allow operations in temperatures ranging from 14°F to 122°F (-10°C to 50°C). The E-Flex enclosed drive controller features the new Telemecanique brand Altivar 61 AC drive, which is available in two models: 1 to 50 hp at 208V to 230V, and 1 to 100 hp at 460V. Other standard features of the enclosed drives include: top and bottom conduit knockouts for ease of installation; door-interlocked circuit breaker disconnect; 3 percent line reactor for harmonic reduction; variable torque ratings for pump and fan loads; and a door-mounted keypad.
E-Flex enclosed drive controllers feature integrated Modbus and CANopen ports and are easily expandable with serial communication card options that include: LonWorks, BACnet, Ethernet, Profibus, Modbus Uni-Telway, Apogee P1 and Metasys N2.
Headquartered in Palatine, Ill., the North American Operating Division of Schneider Electric had sales of $2.8 billion (U.S.) in 2005.
The North American Operating Division is one of four operating 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 2005 sales of approximately $14.5 billion (U.S.).
