The Schneider Electric VW3A46169 is a passive harmonic filter designed to sit between the mains supply and an Altivar variable speed drive, reducing current harmonics drawn by the drive to meet IEC 61000-2-4, IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-3-4, and IEC 61000-3-12 limits. It is rated for 122 A input and output at 480 V +/- 10 %, 60 Hz, 3-phase, and is intended for one filter per drive on Altivar models including ATV61H, ATV71H, ATV71W, ATV61W, ATV650, ATV630, ATV950, and ATV930 — all at the 75 kW / 100 hp motor rating.
Harmonic performance and power factor
The THDI (total harmonic current distortion) this filter delivers depends on the drive model: 10 % for ATV61H, ATV71H, and ATV71W; 5 % for ATV61W, ATV650, ATV630, ATV950, and ATV930. That is the difference between meeting G5/4 (10 %) and exceeding it comfortably (5 %). The power factor (cos phi) varies with load: 1.0 at 150 % line current, 0.99 at 100 %, and 0.85 at 75 % — so the filter maintains near-unity PF across most of the operating range, only dropping at light load where the reactive component dominates.
Efficiency, losses, and thermal management
At 98 % efficiency, the filter dissipates 841 W as heat — a non-trivial figure that must be factored into the enclosure cooling calculation. The filter is rated IP20 as a standalone unit, or IP55 when enclosure-mounted. Ambient temperature range is 5...45 °C without derating; above 45 °C up to 60 °C, derate current by 3 % per °C. Above 1000 m altitude, derate 5 % per 1000 m up to 4000 m. The Class F insulation gives headroom for the thermal stress at the upper end of the range.