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Press Release

Feature article: Swinging choke 30 June, 2004

Patent-pending Swinging Choke technology from ABB reduces harmonics at partial load for the first time ever
If you claimed that the sole purpose of a variable-speed motor drive was to increase energy efficiency, it would be no exaggeration, of course, says Mikko Ahtiainen, product manager, ABB Oy, Drives, Helsinki Thats what theyre designed for. But one of the truly unique features of the ABB standard drive for industrial applications is that it employs a groundbreaking Swinging Choke technology to reduce harmonics at partial load, making an essentially efficiency-driven solution that much more efficient at zero added cost to the user, he noted. Whats more, standard drives make precise motor control easier than ever before. Motors powering mechanical equipment consume an astounding amount of energy. They account for a full 60% of the total electrical energy consumed in the U.S., for example. And when motors run at a fixed speed, much of the energy they use is simply wasted. Variable speed drives, like the standard drive, precisely control motor speed to reflect actual demand, eliminating waste caused by fixed-speed operation and generating end-user savings of up to 70%. Even so, current harmonics cause energy loss in devices operating with variable speed drives. Harmonics are electrical disturbances generated by non-linear devices (just about anything with a microprocessor) connected to the supply system. Current harmonics squander energy by causing excessive transformer heat loss. In addition, current harmonics require expensive compensation in the form of oversized cabling and can cause sensitive equipment to malfunction.

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Reduced harmonics at partial load Use of conventional chokes or line reactors bring down harmonic levels at full load to meet existing standards, but do nothing to reduce them at partial load. Since devices operating with a variable speed drive operate at partial load most of the time, reducing harmonics at partial load can lead to savings in transformer heat losses. Through ABBs patent-pending Swinging Choke design, the ABB standard drive reduces harmonics at both full load and partial load for a total reduction of up to 30% compared to traditional choke designs. The Swinging Choke is important because it provides increased inductance at reduced current, something that quite literally has never been done before, according to Ahtiainen. When users realize what a 30% additional reduction in harmonics at partial load means in terms of energy saved, lowered first costs and increased system reliability, they wont be prepared to live without it. This helps take care of an issue that is a growing concern to industry. Design driven by customers requirements The standard drive is a landmark product in other respects, as well. It was the first-ever, joint-development effort between ABB in Finland and the U.S. And its based on a needs-assessment process that asked customers worldwide what they wanted in a motor drive. As a result, the standard drive features an assistant control panel, modelled after a cell phone. Standard Start-Up Assistant software rapidly guides users through set-up procedures and Maintenance Assistant software signals when its time for routine maintenance. Plus, Diagnostic Assistant software provides users with suggestions for correcting faults. Ahtiainen concludes: The standard drive offers precedent-setting harmonics mitigation, and it also is the easiest motor drive on the market to install, start and use -- benefits that our customers asked us for!" - ENDS -

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Note to Editors: ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable
utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impacts. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 113,000 people. The Automation Technologies division serves the automotive, building, chemicals, consumer, electronics, life sciences, manufacturing, marine, metals, minerals, paper, petroleum, transportation, turbocharging and utility industries. Key technologies include control, drives, enterprise software, instrumentation, lowvoltage products, motors, robots and turbochargers. These offerings are supported by field maintenance and asset management services and are sold both directly and through channel partners.

Photo 1

Caption 1 The ABB standard drive reduces harmonics at both full load and partial load for a total reduction of up to 30% compared to traditional choke designs.

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Photo 2

Caption 2 ABB drive provides customers a quantum leap in installation, start-up and ease of use The ABB standard drive combines simplicity, convenience, fieldbus connectivity, harmonic mitigation and programmability to a degree not seen in drives before. The drives 0,75 kW to 355 kW power range provide high power density to end users, OEMs, systems integrators, and/or panel builders who need a full-featured drive in a small, flexible package. Available in NEMA 1 or NEMA 12 enclosures, with supply voltages from 208V to 480V, the standard drives feature two internal slots for options, which include I/O expansion, or fieldbus adapters. And the drives have the industrys lowest input current THD (Total Harmonic Distortion).

For more information, please contact ABB Oy Mikko Ahtiainen, Product Manager P.O.Box 184 FI-00381 Helsinki Tel: +358 (0)10 222 3099 Fax: +358 (0)10 222 2764 Email: mikko.ahtiainen@fi.abb.com

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