Ease of Installation and Commissioning in Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 4M AC Drives Gives Users Flexible Variable Frequency Drive Control

Feed-through wiring, DIN-rail mounting and programming ease give users out-of-the-box AC drive control for motor control retrofits and new applications

MILWAUKEE,- In new and retrofit applications, the new Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 4M AC drives from Rockwell Automation give users economical, easy-to-program variable frequency motor control with feed-through wiring for quick installation. Engineered for ease of use, the PowerFlex 4M AC drive helps users minimize mechanical machine stress and increase application flexibility.

“OEMs and panel builders understand the performance-enhancing, motor-protecting benefits of AC drive control, but using this flexible motor control option is often limited by wiring issues and complex programming,” said Jimmy Koh, Drives Business marketing manager, Rockwell Automation. “PowerFlex 4M AC drives give traditional electromechanical motor control and seasoned AC drive users powerful volts-per-hertz motor control in a space-saving package designed for ease of use.”

Compact Package. With power ratings from 0.2 to 11kW (0.25 to 15 Hp) and voltage classes of 120, 240 and 480 volts, the PowerFlex 4M AC drive is the smallest and most cost-effective member of the PowerFlex family of drives. The PowerFlex 4M A Frame measures 174 mm (6.85“) H x 72 mm (2.83”) W x 136 mm (5.35“) D; the B Frame measures 174 mm (6.85”) H x 100 mm (3.94“) W x 136 mm (5.35”) D; and the C Frame measures 260 mm (10.24“) H x 130 mm (5.12”) W x 180 mm (7.09") D. All frame sizes feature Zero-Stacking, which saves panel space by eliminating space between drives in applications with ambient temperatures up to 40 C.

Snap-In Installation. For ease of installation, Rockwell Automation engineers designed the PowerFlex 4M A- and B-Frame drives with simple DIN-rail, snap-in mounting features. Compared to traditional screw-in mounting, installing a DIN-rail-compatible PowerFlex 4M is significantly more time efficient.

Ease of Setup. For ease of information sharing and setup, integral RS485 communications enable engineers to use the drives in a multidrop network configuration, and a serial converter module connects to any controller that has the ability to initiate DF1 messaging. Featuring the popular CopyCat function, a NEMA/UL Type 4X remote and NEMA/UL Type 1 handheld LCD keypad provide additional programming and control flexibility. Users can easily program, monitor and control the PowerFlex 4M drives with DriveExplorer and DriveTools SP software.

The drives meet UL, CE, CSA and C-Tick standards.