The Schneider Electric VW3A5213 is a sinus output filter designed for Altivar variable speed drives. It sits on the drive output to smooth the PWM waveform into a near-sinusoidal voltage, reducing motor insulation stress and bearing currents on long cable runs. Rated 460 A continuous with a maximum permissible voltage of 690 V AC, it handles the full output of a large drive — think 250 kW+ motor loads on 400 V or 690 V networks.
The 460 A rated current sets the continuous motor full-load ampacity this filter can carry. Above that, the filter can handle 1.5× nominal current for 60 seconds — useful for motor starting or short overloads, but not for sustained overcurrent. Thermal losses hit 2800 W at 100 Hz output frequency; that heat must be rejected into the enclosure, so factor the dissipation into your panel cooling budget. The filter is IP00 — no enclosure, so it requires a clean, dry cabinet or a separate IP-rated box. Operating temperature range is -10 to 40 °C without derating; above 40 °C up to 50 °C, derate current 1.5 % per °C. For installations above 1000 m altitude, derate 1 % per 100 m up to 3000 m.
Environmental and mechanical notes
Pollution degree 2 per EN 50178 means it is rated for normal industrial environments with only non-conductive pollution — no condensation or conductive dust expected. Shock resistance is 15 gn for 11 ms; vibration resistance is 1 gn at 13–200 Hz and 1.5 mm peak-to-peak at 3–13 Hz, both per IEC 60068-2. Relative humidity range 0–95 %. Storage temperature -40 to 65 °C. The electrical connection accepts bare wires up to 14 mm diameter — typically a large lug or busbar interface. Environmental classification is 3B1 / 3C2 / 3S1 per IEC 721-3-3, covering moderate chemical and mechanical exposure in stationary use.