What the VW3A7273 is and why it matters now
The VW3A7273 is Schneider Electric's active infeed converter (AIC), a 275 kW unit that handles 500-690 V AC three-phase input and delivers a regulated DC bus — 840 V DC from a 500 V supply, 960 V DC from 600 V, and 1100 V DC from 690 V. It's the front-end for low-harmonic drive systems and energy regeneration, not a standalone drive. Schneider lists this as obsolete. That means the factory line has stopped; any remaining stock is what's already in the channel. For a part this size — 1190 x 585 x 377 mm, 4130 W thermal loss — the decision to buy now or find a replacement needs to be made before the last units disappear.
Power ratings and what they mean for your drive system
Continuous output current is 244 A across the 500 V, 600 V, and 690 V taps. The input line current matches at 228 A. The overload capability is 1.2x nominal for 60 seconds or 1.35x for 2 seconds — enough to ride through motor acceleration without tripping, but not a continuous rating. Input power varies with supply: 198 kW at 500 V, 235 kW at 600 V, 272 kW at 690 V. The voltage drop under load stays under 40% at 690 V for up to 60 seconds, which matters for sag ride-through in weak grids.
Cooling, mounting, and environmental limits
IP00 enclosure — no splash protection, so it lives inside a cabinet. Forced convection cooling moves 1200 m³/h through the power circuit and 160 m³/h through the control circuit; the cabinet must allow at least 1000 cm² of air flow surface. Operating position is vertical ±10°. Ambient range is -10 to 45 °C full rating, with derating of 2% per °C from 45 to 60 °C. Storage from -25 to 70 °C. Altitude derating starts at 1000 m, 1% per 100 m up to 2400 m. Pollution degree 2 per EN 61800-5-1 — typical for a controlled environment.
Lifecycle reality — obsolete, but still sourced
Schneider's own status is 'Obsolete'. That means the only supply is what's already in distributor inventory or available through independent surplus channels. If you're planning a line that depends on this AIC, the window to secure units is closing.