Biscuit factory installs IP65 SMV inverters

Lenze partner Westin Drives has investigated and solved problems of inverter failure at a biscuit factory in Yorkshire, by changing to the IP65 enclosed SMV inverter.

The failing inverters, typically 0.75kW, were driving conveyors on biscuit production lines.

Replacements were sourced from a national catalogue house but, despite only having an IP20 enclosure, were not mounted in a sealed panel.

Westin Drives were called in to investigate, and found the inverters were suffering from ingress of dust.

Failures were a result of overheating biscuit dust.

By changing to the IP65 enclosed SMV inverter, full production was regained, together with extra operational benefits.

These inverters are ideal for mounting without a panel, and the watertight enclosure eliminates dust problems.

The SMV inverters also solved a problem involving operators disrupting the settings of the drive.

The SMV has password protection, meaning that the operators have access to the integrated display and keyboard but cannot upset the parameters.

SMV inverters are available for single-phase supplies of 0.37 to 2.2kW, and 3-phase from 0.37 to 7.5kW.

There is an option of an integrated isolator switch that allows safe maintenance on the machine.

In the unlikely event of an inverter needing to be changed, an integrated memory chip allows the stored parameters to be transferred to a new drive in seconds.

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