RS Offers MEAN WELL’s Energy-Saving VFD Series Motor Drives
August 7, 2024
RS now offers MEAN WELL’s energy-saving VFD Series variable frequency motor drive modules.
The VFD Series was inspired by an International Energy Agency (IEA) report that revealed electric motors and the systems they drive as the single-largest end-users of electricity — accounting for a staggering 43–46% of global electricity consumption that’s overwhelmingly driven by industrial (64%) and commercial (20%) market segments — and stated that cost-effective efficiency improvements could reduce this sum by around 25% and, in turn, global electricity demand by about 10%.
MEAN WELL leveraged this data to develop the VFD Series. These compact, fanless variable frequency drives (VFDs) are engineered for use with energy-efficient three-phase brushless DC (BLDC), induction, and synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motors and designed to help industrial customers improve energy efficiency, decrease energy costs, and achieve ESG goals like net-zero certification.
MEAN WELL’s VFD Series motor drive modules are currently available in eight fanless models with PCB and semi-potted chassis enclosure form factors built in accordance with international safety standards (IEC/EN61800-5-1) and electromagnetic compatibility standards (IEC/EN61800-3) and designed to deliver silent operation and long-lifetime performance. They are compatible with AC and DC input voltages and rated for up to 93% efficiency, high peak current up to 200% for five seconds, output switching frequencies extending from 2.5–15KHz, operating temperatures extending from -30°C to +70°C, and 20–90% non-condensing relative humidity.
The series also features integrated short-circuit protection and standard hardware control and sensor signal interfaces — including three-phase switches and gate drivers and three-phase output current and temperature sensors — that enable external motor direction and speed control via a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal and can be programmed using an external control card.
DC-input VFD Series motor drives are rated for 20–55VDC input voltages, 4.3–10A output current, and 150W–350W output power and measure 4 x 2 x 1.13” (L x W x H).
AC-input VFD Series motor drives are rated for 90–264VAC input voltages, 0.8–3A output current, and 200–750W output power and feature power factor correction (PFC) capabilities spanning 150–750W. PCB-type models measure 5 x 3 x 1.38” (L x W x H). Chassis-type models are available with three different dimensions: 5.75” x 2.17” x 1.02”, 5.75” x 2.44” x 1.22”, and 5.90” x 3.94” x 1.61” (L x W x H).
All VFD Series motor drive modules are designed to be implemented alongside a coordinating external motor drive controller in logic level and analog I/O and are covered by a three-year warranty. Ideal applications for VFD Series motor drive modules include 48VDC and 200–240VAC three-phase BLDC, induction, and SynRM motors used to power machinery ranging from fans, power tools, water pumps, fitness equipment, and automatic doors to conveyors, robotic arms, HVAC systems, smoke extractors, and medical devices.
“Power solutions aren’t one size fits all, and the motor drives and controllers that comprise them aren’t interchangeable across applications. So, it’s imperative that you select the ones that will best suit your needs,” said MEAN WELL Field Application Engineer, Harland Chen. “Partnering with a trusted brand, like MEAN WELL, and a trusted distributor, like RS, can help ensure that you select the right motor drives and controllers for your systems and provide you with valuable product expertise and reliable support throughout every stage of the product lifecycle — from concept and design through to procurement, implementation, and maintenance.”
MEAN WELL is a global supplier of standard power supplies, and RS is proud to offer its extensive product portfolio, which includes power supplies, converters, inverters, battery chargers, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and motor drives. MEAN WELL power products are engineered to deliver high-quality performance over long lifetimes in industrial environments and are backed by more than 40 years of research and development and field-proven performance.
