The Schneider Electric VW3A46158 is a passive filter designed to reduce current harmonics on the input side of Altivar variable speed drives. It is a 3-phase, 480 V +/- 10 %, 60 Hz +/- 2 % unit rated at 6 A input and 6.2 A output, sized for drives powering motors from 0.75 kW up to 3 kW. The filter achieves a total harmonic current distortion (THDI) of 10 % when paired with ATV61H, ATV71H, ATV71P, and ATV71W drives, and 5 % with ATV61W, ATV630, ATV650, ATV930, and ATV950 drives across the 0.75 kW to 3 kW motor range. This means the filter brings the drive's input current harmonics down to levels that typically satisfy IEC 61000-3-12 and G5/4 engineering recommendation limits without needing a larger, more expensive active filter. One filter is required per drive — no paralleling or sharing across multiple drives. The filter mounts in the line side of the drive, and its IP20 rating suits enclosure mounting; an IP55 rating applies when mounted inside a suitable enclosure.
The 6 A input rating sets the maximum continuous line current the filter can handle. For a 480 V, 3-phase supply, this corresponds to roughly 5 kVA of drive input power — matching the 3 kW motor ceiling. The output side is rated slightly higher at 6.2 A to accommodate the reactive current drawn by the drive's DC bus capacitors. Efficiency is 98 %, meaning 2 % of the throughput power is lost as heat — 122 W at full rated current. That heat must be dissipated; the filter's thermal design assumes free-air convection within the enclosure, so ensure adequate ventilation or derate ambient temperature above 45 °C by 3 % per °C up to 60 °C. The power factor correction effect is load-dependent: at 150 % of line current the filter presents a cos phi of 1 (unity), at 100 % line current it is 0.99, and at 75 % line current it drops to 0.85. This is typical for a passive filter — the correction is strongest near full load. The filter can handle 1.5 times nominal current for 60 seconds, which covers the inrush during drive DC bus charging and short-term overloads. Above 1000 m altitude, derate current by 5 % per additional 1000 m up to 4000 m.
The VW3A46158 is designed to meet IEC 61000-3-12 (limits for harmonic currents produced by equipment connected to public low-voltage systems), IEC 61000-2-4 (compatibility levels in industrial plants), IEC 61000-3-2 and IEC 61000-3-4 (harmonic emission limits), and the UK G5/4 engineering recommendation. This makes it suitable for installations where the utility or site power quality specification requires harmonic mitigation.
Installation and wiring notes
Terminals accept 0.5 to 10 mm² wire; A and B terminals accept 2.5 mm². The filter is wired in series with the drive's input power. Vibration resistance is 2 mm peak-to-peak from 5 to 13.2 Hz and 0.7 gn from 13.2 to 150 Hz per IEC 60068-2-6, which covers normal industrial panel vibration. Relative humidity must be kept between 5 and 85 % without condensation. The filter is Class F insulated.