The Schneider Electric VW3A46137 is a passive filter designed to reduce current harmonics from Altivar variable speed drives. It's rated for 395 A output at 400 V, 50 Hz, and delivers a THDI of 5 % across a range of ATV61 and ATV71 drive/motor combinations — from 200 kW/300 hp up to 560 kW/800 hp. That 5 % figure means the filter knocks line current distortion down to a level that meets IEC 61000-3-12, IEC 61000-3-4, and G5/4 engineering recommendation, so it keeps the drive installation compliant with utility harmonic limits without oversizing the upstream transformer.
Efficiency and thermal management
Efficiency runs at 98 %, so only 2 % of the throughput power is lost as heat. That heat is still substantial — 1510 W of thermal losses to shed — so the IP20 enclosure needs forced airflow or a well-ventilated cabinet. For washdown environments, the IP55 rating with enclosure mounting is the option to spec.
The filter handles 1.5 times nominal current for 60 seconds, which covers the typical acceleration inrush on a loaded conveyor or crusher. Above 1000 m altitude, derate 5 % per 1000 m. Ambient temperature range is 5 to 45 °C without derating; from 45 to 60 °C, derate 3 % per °C. The number of filters per drive varies by motor power — three units for the 560 kW ATV61H, two for the 250 kW ATV71H, and a single filter for the 200–220 kW range.