#216 - Schneider Tips and Tricks when commissioning an Altivar VFD

It can be tricky to properly commission a VFD application. Here below some tips and tricks for the Schneider Altivar :

- Motor duty: if the motor has different settings depending on the duty type, choose the type S1.

- DRT (Dual Rating State): Normal Duty vs. Heavy Duty. This parameter has to be selected depending on the overload required for the application.

Heavy Duty examples: rock crusher, piston driver air compressor, hydraulic compressor, hoist, inclined conveyor in quarry.

- Which parameters to monitor in the SoMove scope: Motor current, motor speed, speed reference.

Checks: - how it ramps. It should be smooth and stable. - while running, check speed and current are stable. - during speed step change, how controlled it responds.

- auto-tune: do a static tuning with a cold motor. Rarely a rotational tuning will be necessary, but in this case it must be done without load.

- CTT (Motor control type) : the type will depend on the application.

Examples: - Energy saving: fans and pumps, that are not very dynamic applications and the load does not change much (the opposite would be a vibration table application where the load is changing every 1/2 revolution). Benefits: Energy savings, less current, less stress for the drive, cooler drive and cooler motor.

- U/f 5 points: If U1-5 and F1-5 are left at 0, it will work as a U/f 2 points but this mode has constant torque, i.e. torque is kept constant for the full motor revolution. Motor torque is proportional to motor current. Typical applications are conveyors and hoists.

- For pump and fan applications choose the ATV600 rather than the ATV900.

- Update these details from motor plate: Tension, Frequency, Power, RPM, Current, Cos phi 400v, 50Hz, 22kW, 1469rpm,41.6Amps,0.82 cos phi

NOTE: if the parameters are odd. Think about setting the MPC (Motor Parameter Choice) as Nominal Motor Cos Phi rather than Power.

- Reduce the IGBT switching frequency (SFR) if necessary, e.g. from 4kHz to 2.5kHz. This will create less stress to the drive, cables and motor.

- Factory reset: Go to Menu 7: Files Management and press enter. Scroll down to 7.2 : Factory Settings and press enter. Scroll down to Go To Factory Settings and press enter.