2.4 MW medium voltage drive for synchronous and asynchronous motors
The Schneider Electric Altivar 1200 ATV1200A28705555 is a medium voltage variable frequency drive rated for 2399 kW motor power, designed to control both synchronous and asynchronous motors from a 3.0-3.6 kV supply. It uses a 30-pulse diode rectifier bridge on the input, which inherently cancels low-order harmonics and meets IEEE 519 without external filtering — a key advantage for installations feeding sensitive distribution networks. The drive is assembled in a floor-standing enclosure with separate airflows for the power section and control electronics, keeping the control compartment cooler and cleaner than a shared plenum design.
Overload profile and motor starting capability
The overload withstand defines the start-and-run margin: 1.2 x rated current for 60 s under standard overload, 1.5 x for 3 s. For high-overload duty, it holds 1.5 x for 60 s and 1.85 x for 3 s — enough to start a loaded conveyor or crusher without oversizing the drive. Speed range is 20-100 %, meaning the drive can regulate down to 20 % of base speed with full torque capability. The prospective line short-circuit current withstand is 31.5 kA for 150 ms — the drive can ride through a downstream fault without self-destructing, provided the upstream protection coordinates within that window.
Physical footprint and site preparation
The floor-standing cabinet measures 5770 mm wide by 2670 mm high; depth is 1700 mm for the high-efficiency variant and 1600 mm for standard efficiency — plan for a dedicated electrical room with a reinforced floor and overhead busway or trench access. Cooling is forced convection with 29700 m³/h airflow — the room ventilation must handle that exhaust volume plus the 80 dB noise level at full load. The drive requires two separate supplies: 220 V AC, 3 kVA for control, and 380 V AC for the cooling fans. Either can be fed from an external source if the internal transformer is not used.
Standards compliance and isolation
CE marked and designed to EN/IEC 61800-3 (EMC), EN/IEC 61800-4 (adjustable speed drives), and EN/IEC 61800-5-1 (safety) — the drive carries the full suite of European MV drive standards. Electrical isolation between power and control circuits is maintained, and the dielectric strength between earth and power terminals is 20 kV AC — essential for personnel safety in a 3.3 kV class installation. Pollution degree 2 per EN/IEC 61800-5-1, meaning the drive is rated for normal industrial environments with only non-conductive dust — not for wet or conductive atmospheres without additional enclosure protection.
System composition and I/O
The drive ships as a complete system: two plinths, a phase-shifting transformer, medium voltage arrestors, cooling fans, an HMI, and 15 power cells — not a bare inverter section. It includes 4 software-configurable analogue inputs (0-20 mA / 4-20 mA) and 6 discrete inputs (expandable to 10). The analogue output is also software-configurable for 0-20 mA or 4-20 mA DC. Main power connection uses M10 bar-type terminals accepting up to 6 x 40 mm² per phase, with cable entry from the top or bottom.