Variable Frequency Drives

Schneider Altivar Machine Drives (P187)

This week I meet up with Jay Cortel, Nicolas Rosner, and Charlie Adkins to learn all about Schneider Altivar Machine (and Process) Drives in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch to the Podcast on The Automation Blog: [vimeo 901625876]https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js The...

Rockwell Automation and Infinitum Team Up To Make High-Efficiency Low Voltage Drives and Motors

Infinitum, creator of the sustainable air core motor, and Rockwell Automation announced an exclusive agreement to develop and distribute a new class of high-efficiency, low voltage drive and motor tech. This solution is said to significantly reduce energy and costs for industrial customers. Energy conscious companies already implement variable frequency...

Message (MSG) – ControlLogix to PowerFlex 525? (qa230208)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 02/08/23: Recently I was asked by a community member if they could use a MSG instructions in a ControlLogix to communicate with a PowerFlex 525, and I share my thoughts on that question in today's Automation Q&A below: NOTE: If you need...

PowerFlex 755TS VFD (P90)

Adam Davis introduces us to the PowerFlex 755TS in Episode 90 of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 675592623 w=750 h=420] The Automation Podcast is also available on most Video and Podcasting platforms, and direct links to each can be...

Micro820, PanelView 800, PowerFlex 525 – New Project

One of the positive attributes of the Connected Components Workbench project is the ability to program multiple devices with one software package. A CCW project can contain the Panelview 800 HMI, the Micro 800 controller and as we will see today, a Powerflex drive. This makes configuration simple and provides quick...

How to control an Altivar ATV320 VFD over Modbus with a Modicon M340 PLC

In this article I would like to show you how to control an ATV320 variable frequency drive using Modbus serial port on M340 PLC. Before we begin, following is the list of items you need PC with EcoStruxure Control Expert Small Software installed Schneider Electric Modicon (BMXP342020) PLC Schneider Electric...

Mitsubishi VFD Product Overview (P51)

In this episode of The Automation Podcast, Jeff Brown from Mitsubishi returns to give us an overview of the Mitsubishi line of Variable Frequency Drives: For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 399972076 w=750 h=420] The Automation Podcast is also available on most Video...

CCW – v11: Preview of the next Connected Components Workbench Release

Welcome to part four of the nine part series covering my picks for the top new PLC and HMI products shown at Rockwell's Automation Fair 2017. Note: While this series covers the products in which I'm most interested, you'll find all the new products listed in Rockwell's guide HERE. Connected Components...

Learn how to use CCW to backup, edit, and restore A-B VFD parameters

Do you or someone on your staff need to backup, edit, or restore A-B VFD parameters? If so, you may be interested in my new quick start course, "Using CCW with A-B VFDs" In this forty five minute quick start course I cover all of the following topics: Where and how...

Set PowerFlex 525 Ethernet IP Address using PC (M3E41)

Learn how to set a PowerFlex 525's Ethernet IP address using a PC and the free Boot-p utility in Episode 41 of The Automation Minute Season 3: [vimeo 468322220 w=640 h=360] If you've found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the...

Set PowerFlex 525 Ethernet IP Address using Keypad (M3E40)

Learn how to set a PowerFlex 525's Ethernet IP address using its built-in keypad in Episode 40 of The Automation Minute Season 3: [vimeo 468321695 w=640 h=360] If you've found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of...

Set a PowerFlex 525’s Ethernet IP Address using a PC

Rockwell's PowerFlex 525 is a popular VFD given the fact that it has a built-in Ethernet/IP port. And in today's article I'll show you how to set the 525's Ethernet Address from your PC. Preface: Before you power on your PowerFlex 525, record its MAC ID address. It's located under the Drive's terminal...

Set a PowerFlex 525’s Ethernet IP Address using its Keypad

Rockwell's PowerFlex 525 is a popular VFD given the fact that it has a built-in Ethernet/IP port. And in today's article I'll show you how to set the 525's Ethernet Address using its front Keypad and Display. Step 1) Start from the main speed display: Step 2) Next press the "Enter" key: Step 3) Now press...

Flashback Friday! MicroLogix to PowerFlex 4

Welcome to The Automation Blog's "Flashback Friday!" Today I'm highlighting a couple of eleven year old MicroLogix programs showing how to communicate to a PowerFlex 4. Back in 2004 many small OEM's were approaching me about using the MicroLogix to control the small PowerFlex 4 series of drives over a serial connection. At the time...

The PowerFlex 527 As Seen At Automation Fair 2014

I was able to get my first look at Rockwell's new PowerFlex 527 VFD at Automation Fair 2014, and in today's article I share the seven new facts I learned: 1) Logix Only This drive is designed strictly to be a remote Ethernet I/O rack to a ControlLogix or CompactLogix system, configured using Studio...

Allen-Bradley Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) Software

Where to download Allen-Bradley (A-B) Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Software: DriveTools32 download The Rockwell Software downloads website, which host's many legacy software downloads, is where the below link to download Drives Tools comes from: From Rockwell's Compatibility and Download webpage you can now download DriveTools32 2.50 for free. DriveTools32 download DriveExplorer download From the Allen-Bradley Drives Explorer page...

Sample Code – Rockwell’s Water Waste Water Accelerator Toolkit

Rockwell's Water Waste Water Accelerator Toolkit (WWWAT for short) is designed to reduce engineering and development time around Water and Waste Water applications. This "Accelerator Toolkit" is also designed for use with RSLogix5000 and FactoryTalk View Site Edition. The initial download is roughly 510mb 560mb and is in the form of...

The one website you need to know when using Allen-Bradley Variable Frequency Drives

My colleague and I recently had the pleasure of meeting with two of our local Rockwell "Variable Frequency Drive" (VFD) experts. We met so they could show us how to integrate the PowerFlex 750 family of drives into a ControlLogix system. During this meeting it became apparent if you're using Allen-Bradley drives...

USB Cables For Use With Allen-Bradley (A-B) Products

For decades we’ve relied on our laptop’s trusty Serial Port or PCMCIA Slot to communicate with legacy A-B devices. But when our old laptop dies, or a new one arrives, it's very unlikely to have either a Serial Port or PCMCIA slot. The good news is most all legacy A-B networks can...

Free Allen-Bradley (A-B) And Rockwell Automation (RA) Software (Part 2)

UPDATE 10/31/2017: Try as I might, I can no longer find the software packages listed in this article anywhere online (the associated sites have been completely redesigned.) UPDATE 08/22/22: While I don't have permission to post the below  software publicly, I have made the old SLC-100/150 software download available to...