Harmonic filter matched to Altivar drives
The VW3A46159 is a passive filter designed to reduce current harmonics on Schneider Electric Altivar variable speed drives. It is rated for a 480 V ±10 % three-phase supply at 60 Hz, with a rated input current of 10 A and output current of 10.4 A. The filter achieves 98 % efficiency with 131 W thermal losses, meaning it cleans up the line without adding significant heat to the enclosure — a real consideration when panel cooling is tight.
THDI performance by drive model
The THDI (total harmonic current distortion) delivered depends on which drive it pairs with. On ATV61H, ATV71H, ATV71P, and ATV71W models at 4 kW/5 hp or 5.5 kW/7.5 hp, the filter brings THDI to 10 %. On ATV61W, ATV630, ATV650, ATV930, and ATV950 at the same power ratings, it achieves 5 % THDI. That difference matters: a 5 % THDI meets IEC 61000-3-12 and G5/4 engineering recommendation limits for most installations, while 10 % still provides substantial harmonic attenuation for less sensitive networks.
Power factor correction profile
The filter's cos phi varies with load: 1 at 150 % of line current, 0.99 at 100 % of line current, and 0.85 at 75 % of line current. This means near-unity power factor at full load, with a slight drop at lighter loads — typical for passive filter behavior. No external power factor correction capacitors needed.
IP20 protection rating; IP55 when enclosure-mounted. Operating temperature range is 5 °C to 45 °C without derating, and up to 60 °C with a 3 % per °C derating. Above 1000 m altitude, derate current 5 % per additional 1000 m. Vibration resistance per IEC 60068-2-6: 2 mm peak-to-peak at 5–13.2 Hz, 0.7 gn at 13.2–150 Hz. One filter per drive — no sharing across multiple drives. Terminals accept 0.5–10 mm² on the main connections, 2.5 mm² on the A/B terminals.