Global energy technology company Schneider Electric has introduced two Altivar variable-speed drives for motors in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.
The ATH200 is designed for compact HVAC equipment from original equipment manufacturers, while the ATH600 is intended for commercial and mission-critical buildings. In such buildings, a cooling or ventilation interruption could disrupt essential operations.
Variable-speed drives adjust an electric motor’s speed to match demand. Fans, pumps and compressors can therefore run below full output when conditions permit, reducing unnecessary electricity use. Schneider Electric says the new drives can deliver energy savings of more than 30%.
Two drives for different HVAC requirements
The ATH200 covers ratings from 0.37 to 22 kW and is intended for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that build compact HVAC equipment. Schneider Electric says its design can simplify control-panel development and shorten the engineering work required to prepare new products.
The ATH600 covers 0.75 to 250 kW and is designed for compressors, pumps and fans in commercial and critical buildings. Schneider Electric cites hospitals, airports and data centres as potential applications.
The range can operate across temperatures from −10°C to 60°C. Potential locations include rooftop HVAC units, outdoor enclosures, plant rooms, and service areas housing a building’s mechanical equipment.
Connecting HVAC equipment to building controls
Modbus and BACnet communication is built into the drives. These protocols enable equipment to exchange information with compatible building automation systems.
Facilities teams can use a building management system (BMS) to monitor connected equipment and adjust motor speeds. A BMS provides central oversight of services such as heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting.
The drives also contain application libraries intended to shorten commissioning, with equipment configured and tested before entering service.
Schneider Electric already offers Altivar drives for building HVAC systems. Its earlier Altivar 212 supported BACnet and Modbus connectivity for fans, pumps and compressors. The ATH200 and ATH600 maintain that connectivity while addressing different equipment and building requirements.
The new drives are part of a Schneider Electric HVAC system that also includes Modicon M172 and M173 controllers and Harmony human-machine interfaces. An HMI is the screen or control panel used by an operator to monitor and control equipment.
The drives include electromagnetic compatibility filtering to limit electrical interference and motor thermal protection to guard against overheating. Schneider Electric says the built-in functions eliminate the need for external contactors and reduce wiring complexity.
Cybersecurity and refrigerant support
The drives include upgradable firmware and integrity checks designed to detect whether their embedded software has been altered or corrupted.
Schneider Electric states that the products have IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 1 cybersecurity certification. IEC 62443 is a series of international standards for the security of industrial automation and control systems. Part 4-2 sets out the technical security requirements for components used in those systems.
The range has A2L certification and is described as ready for equipment using A3 refrigerants, with ratings up to 25 horsepower. A2L and A3 are refrigerant safety classifications based on toxicity and flammability. Both fall within the lower-toxicity “A” group, but A2L refrigerants have lower flammability than those in the A3 category.
Schneider Electric says the refrigerant provisions are intended to support chillers, heat pumps and other HVAC equipment by using lower-global-warming-potential alternatives.
The company also states that the drives use materials compliant with REACH and RoHS requirements. REACH governs chemicals in the European Union, while RoHS restricts specified hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
Image: Courtesy of Schneider Electric
