A new range of AC drives was recently launched by Parker Hannifin.  These new AC drives will enable permanent-magnet motors to be used in a wide range of compressor applications, fans, and pumps.  The new AC650S Series eliminate the need to run permanent-magnet motors with closed-loop speed sensors, and also enables them to be used as replacements for AC induction motors and in so doing helping users to improve both performance and profitability.
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Parker states that the AC650S drives permanent-magnet motors can minimize energy consumption by up to 12 per cent while at the same time reducing the combined drive and motor space requirement by as much as 75 per cent.
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Permanent-magnet motors are not widely used in many industrial applications.  This is because they require additional speed or position sensing mechanisms controlled by high-end drive units, thus making them relatively costly and complicated to install.  As a result, induction motors have generally been the preferred choice, despite being larger and less efficient.
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Features of the AC650S:
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The new AC650S drives are known to provide high start-up torque, without the need for additional tuning.  The AC650S drives also offer a range of features regarding quick setup and simple installment.  For example, each AC drive is supplied with free software configuration tools, with pre-set macros for many common applications, and requires just a few motor parameters to be input during commissioning.  Additionally, the AC650S has front panel-mounted LCD and input controls, with simple diagnostics, integrated EMC filters and analogue and digital I/O, including RS232 programming ports.  These new drives can also be supplied with optional Profibus-DP and Modbus RTU interfaces, while a cloning module is available to enable up to ten drive configurations to be stored for ease of maintenance.