Start and stop safely

3rd Quarter 2010 Electrical switching & drive systems & components

According to Rynhard Davids, product manager VSD, the soft start/soft stop unit uses both voltage and torque for three-phase squirrel cage asynchronous motors between four and 400 kW.

“With this unit, users can expect a reduction in operating costs, simplified wiring, protection of the electrical installation and space savings. All this comes in a fully equipped product that is safe, innovative and economical,” he says.

The installation and operation of Altistart 22 is simple as it uses six terminals instead of 12, saving time on wiring. The soft start/soft stop unit is also compact, allowing users to optimise the size of their enclosures. Its low heat dissipation keeps temperature rises to a minimum and because it is a multifunction product it reduces the number of components that have to be managed.

Altistart 22 also allows users to bypass any stresses on their applications and so protects their installations. By minimising jolts and shocks, Altistart 22 reduces mechanical stresses on machines and increases their service life. It also prevents installation failures by detecting and signalling faults such as blocked motor, underload or incorrect earthing of one of the three motor phases. In addition, cards are coated to provide an enhanced resistance to harsh environments.

Davids adds that Altistart 22, with its three controlled phases, incorporates all the protection functions needed to monitor the motor, the electrical installation and the starter itself. Setup and operation are simplified with four LEDs, four navigation keys, a four digit display and SoMove setup software which is common to the Altivar, Lexium and TeSys ranges.

The soft start/soft stop unit also integrates application specific functions that optimise machines. These include:

* A centrifugal pump to reduce 'water hammer' and protect against underloads or reversed phase rotation direction.

* A piton pump for the monitoring of pump priming and direction of rotation.

* A fan to detect under- and overloads.

* A turbine for thermal monitoring of the motor with an electrically isolated PTC probe.

* A cold compressor for the monitoring of starting characteristics and the management of automatic restarting.

* A screw compressor and centrifugal compressor to protect against reversed phase rotation direction.

Further optimisation functions include a conveyor that acts as an overload monitor for short-circuit detection or underload monitor for break detection. There is also a conveyor belt which offers a second set of motor parameters, depending on the load carried.

A lifting screw is included for hard spot detection through overload monitoring or break detection though underload monitoring. An agitator/mixer displays the current density of the material and provides a boost on start-up.

“Additional benefits are that Altistart 22 communicates easily with control systems and a remote terminal allows users to communicate with

Altistart 22 without needing to open the electrical cabinet door. Altistart 22 will also be available in IP65 version,” concludes Davids.

For more information contact Rynhard Davids, Schneider Electric SA, +27 (0)11 254 6400, [email protected], www.schneider-electric.co.za

Further reading:

Understanding standby, prime and continuous gensets
WEG Africa Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The increasing reliance of South African businesses on generator sets to mitigate power disruptions highlights a crucial need for proper selection based on specific operational demands. Despite their growing usage, there is still widespread confusion about how to choose the appropriate genset, often leading to inefficient and costly decisions.

Read more...

---

PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology
Beckhoff Automation Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.

Read more...

---

Axiom reaches new heights
Axiom Hydraulics Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
When Rula Bulk Handling could not source a cable tensioner large enough for a new cableway, the engineers knew they had to come up with an inventive solution. After discovering that no such tensioner was immediately available, Rula approached Axiom Hydraulics and ifm to assist with building their own.

Read more...

---

Local range of planetary units
SEW-EURODRIVE Electrical switching & drive systems & components
s SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa actively extends its offerings to customers, the SEW PPK and SEW P2.e industrial gearbox ranges are good examples of solutions that are well suited to the local business environment.

Read more...

---

At least 60 million strokes
Horne Technologies Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Designing and constructing compact automation systems is one of the core activities of the Austrian machine manufacturer, STIWA. Its modular LTM-CI system has been optimised for small parts assembly. Linear and rotating micromotors from Faulhaber perform key tasks in these systems.

Read more...

---

Innovative five-axis laser precession scanner
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Motion control specialist, Aerotech has launched the AGV5D, an innovative five-axis laser precession scanner specially developed for laser micromachining. This makes it possible to create high-precision bores, contoured slots and other complex geometries with dimensional tolerances in the sub-micrometre range.

Read more...

---

A leap forward in electrohydrostatic pump technology
Customized Motion Controls Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Moog has launched the EPU-G, the latest addition to its Electrohydrostatic Pump Unit portfolio.

Read more...

---

Minetruck with electric drivetrain combines power and innovation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The new Minetruck MT66 S eDrive is the first of Epiroc’s large-capacity mine trucks to feature the latest generation electric drivetrain. Along with an upgraded and powerful diesel engine, the hauler combines the cost-effectiveness of a traditional mine truck with the productivity of an electric one, without requiring changes to a mine’s infrastructure.

Read more...

---

Modular hydraulic control blocks for brake actuation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Electrohydraulic brake release valves are exposed to extreme loads, and can become uncontrollable in the event of a power failure. The experts at WEBER-HYDRAULIK GMBH have developed a practical, modular solution that ensures the safety of construction machinery, and is also suitable for a wide range of other vehicles with hydrostatic drive systems.

Read more...

---

Modular assembly platform for clean manufacturing
Beckhoff Automation Electrical switching & drive systems & components
JR Automation delivers custom automated solutions for numerous industries. It has done this through its scalable, modular automation platform, FlexChassis, which speeds up time to market while cutting costs. The company chose the XTS linear transport system from Beckhoff because of its speed, and modular design that allows for multiple configurations.

Read more...

---