Inverter takes web controller onboard

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 1, 2005

The latest development from Silverteam is the release of Hitachi's range of IP54 drives with built-in email functionality.

The latest development from Silverteam is the release of Hitachi's range of IP54 drives with built-in e-mail functionality.

The L300IP inverter can now come with the option of the Hitachi Web Controller built-in, which would allow the inverter to send an e-mail informing users and engineers of its status.

This feature is primarily aimed at the HVAC market due to the obvious benefits it would bring.

Being able to send an e-mail when an inverter has tripped either once or a set amount of times within a fixed time period or emailing the maintenance contractors with operating statistics such as hours run time, powered up time, number of trips and time until next service.

Having the Web Controller built-in also allows further benefits to be realised.

The Web Controller is at heart a Web Server and as such, with access to the LAN, the site engineers or maintenance contractors would be able to dial into the LAN and interrogate the inverter at any time.

The Web Controller is also a PLC with six digital inputs and four relay outputs so ladder logic can also be introduced, and once dialed into the LAN certain functions can be performed from the remote site, rather than spending hours in a car to check the status after a trip has occurred.

Featuring an integrated Class B EMC filter, the drive provides an out-of-the-box inverter solution for HVAC, building services, food and drink and water treatment applications, as well as many other general purpose industrial tasks.

Available in powers from 1.5kW to 132kW, the Hitachi L300IP combines ease of use with high levels of functionality, and offer a number of modular options to allow the products to be tailored to the requirements of the application.

Silverteam is Hitachi's sole agent for drives and automation products in the UK.

Managing Director Stuart Harvey comments: "HVAC services and water treatment applications are big potential markets, and Hitachi are trying very hard to be involved in this market".

"These industries place particular importance on reliability, simplicity of installation and set up".

"The L300IP with the Web Controller make a perfect partnership: you can take the drive straight out of the box, bolt it to the wall, add the mains supply, motor and LAN cables, and away you go".

"It will only take 5 minutes using a web browser like IE to set up".

The L300IP still has all the standard features you would expect from the L300P.

A user-friendly, integrated display makes it simple to adjust parameters on the fly, and the inbuilt RS422/485 communications interface allows a standard PC to be connected for setup and commissioning using Windows-based programming software.

The RS422/485 interfaces also allow ready connection to a PLC or other control equipment, and fieldbus interfaces for Profibus, LonWorks, DeviceNet and others are available as modular options.

Further options include a harmonic line reactor, and an embedded PLC board which turns the drive into a powerful, single box, control system.

The L300IP conforms to global standards, including CE, UL, c-UL and CTick, allowing their use anywhere in the world.