ABB’s Mike Olson, manager of HVAC Applications, demonstrates some of the features of the ACH550 AC drive series to Baltimore Aircoil’s Daniel Moore during a booth presentation at the expo.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Those attending the 2005 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) were treated to glimpses of new products in the blower, motor, and drive categories.

A-1 Components Corp. (www.a-1components.com) featured a full line of Rotom motors. The Rotom line includes more than 3,000 motors designed specifically for the aftermarket motor industry. Shane Mummery, vice president of marketing and sales, told The News that A-1 Components Corp. recently became an independently owned U.S. company and is ready to help customers with their aftermarket motor applications.

ABB Inc. (www.abb-drives.com) announced an extension of its ACH550 AC drive series, which was originally introduced at the 2004 AHR Expo. The extension of the line's voltage rating to 600 volts, in a 2- to 150-hp range, in-creases the number of users who will be able to install the drives for HVAC applications.

"That includes the commercial industry in the U.S. and customers throughout Canada, where 575 volts is the standard," said Jeff Miller, ABB HVAC sales manager for Automation Technologies, Low-Voltage Drives. In mid-2004, ABB introduced BACnet as a loadable option to the company's ACH550 AC drive series.

Chris Cusick, marketing manager, variable frequency drives, Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc. explains the features of the F700 variable-frequency drive.
A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co.(www.aosmithmotors.com) is preparing its customers for the 13 SEER efficiency requirements by offering it CoolBlue Solutionsâ„¢, which involve motors and electronics that allow customers to "deliver the benefits that come from the latest technology," said the company.

Emerson Climate Technologies (www.emersonclimate.com) showed off its Commander SK variable-speed drive, citing it as "the new standard in simple AC micro drives." The unit is being launched in three frame sizes and is available up to 5 hp, 480 V and 3 hp, 230 V.

The Commander SK features DIN-rail mounting; easy access to terminals with clear marking for simple connection; I/O expansion; process control; and communications options, including Ethernet, for advanced applications.

Ebm-papst (www.ebmpapst.us) brought a product extension of its EC motor range to the expo. EC-Giants are "the largest external rotor motor with EC technology and completely integrated drive and electronic controls on the market," according to the company.

Hoffman Controls (www.hoffmancontrols.com) showed expo attendees some of its controls products including the 709D-VmA and 709E-VmA Series electronic fan speed controllers, which provide optimum temperature, volume, or pressure as required by an application; and 814-10EH and 816-10DH microprocessor-based electronic head pressure controls, which modulate condenser fan motor speed in low ambient temperatures.

Mitsubishi Electric Automation (www.meau.com) showed expo attendees its F700 variable-frequency drive (VFD), which debuted in fall 2004. Key features of the VFD include a NEMA 1 UL Type 1 enclosure design, which allows the drive to be mounted as a stand-alone unit, and new DU07 programming dial and FR-Configurator programming software, which provides ease of programming, states the manufacturer.

Siemens (www.sbt.siemens.com) released a new white paper detailing unique features and applications built into its line of SED2 variable-frequency drives. Applications include the direct Ni 100-ohm sensor connection, pump/cooling tower cascading function, and integral motor V-belt monitoring.

Publication date: 02/28/2005