More applications for digital DC drive

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 16, 2001

Sprint Electric has extended the power range of its recently introduced PLX DC drive to 265 kW, so the range of applications it covers is even greater

Sprint Electric has extended the power range of its recently introduced PLX DC drive to 265 kW.

The 4-quadrant version now covers the range 5 to 225 kW, while the 2-quadrant version is available in ratings between 5 and 265 kW.

The PLX range is designed to be the most compact, powerful, flexible and easy to program digital DC drive on the market, and now the range of applications it covers is even greater.

The pulp and paper industry, in particular, often requires higher power DC drives.

Other applications which benefit from the precise control offered by DC drive systems include metal processing, rubber and plastic processing, lifting equipment, food, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing.

The PLX is the product of extensive market research, and includes a host of useful features not found on other DC drives.

Unlike most DC drives, it comes with a wide selection of the most popular peripheral software blocks built-in at no additional cost.

Functions include high performance PID controllers, reel diameter calculator, taper tension calculator, multi-function signal processors and a batch counter.

With the launch of the higher power versions of the PLX, Sprint has also added a number of additional software blocks, including spindle orientation, comparators, three user-programmable complete drive configurations and an ANSI communication protocol.

Programming the PLX is quick and easy, with adjustable parameters given English language names and a simple programming menu structure that enables rapid travel to the desired parameter using just four ergonomically designed keys.

The PLX operating manual is also user-friendly, with extensive use of block diagrams and other pictorial representations of parameters to make programming sequences and links between functions logical and easy to understand.

The manual is structured in the same order as the PLX's programming routine, and the parameter descriptions are shown as they appear in the drive's large 40-character backlit display window.

There is also a numeric listing of every parameter to enable the relevant section to be located quickly.

Many of the PLX's terminals are universal inputs or outputs, and in all 17 digital inputs, seven digital outputs, eight analogue inputs and four analogue outputs are available.

All inputs and outputs are protected against over-voltage and comply with the latest requirements on EMC immunity.

With the PLX, replacing a drive with a new unit does not require the transfer of the existing unit's parameters to a PC before downloading to the replacement.

The PLX's settings are saved on a separate device that can be manually ejected and transferred to a replacement unit in minutes.

Sprint designed the PLX to be the leader in its class, and with the extension of the power range to 265 kW this compact, feature-packed, user-friendly three-phase drive is ideally suited to the majority of DC drive applications.