European Inverter Protection Standard

[NTSman]

I am designing a control panel that will be manufactured in Turkey, and should be able to be CE marked. I am using both VFDs and Softstarters. I have seen example circuit diagrams that show an MSP and fuses in the line side of the devices. Do they (standards people) require both? What model of Siemens fuse and fuse holder is available in Europe, that can be used for Inverter protection? They are 2.2kW, 30kW, and 110kW units.

 

[Skogsgurra]

First. Siemens is as European as European can be. So, the fuses you need should be available throughout Europe. Second. I do not think (don't know, which is embarrassing) that there is no specific standard for how to protect a VFD. Do what the device manual says. That is what I have always done. And I have done these things for quite a while. Never had any problems with inspectors or standards.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

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100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...

 

[ozmosis]

NTSman
As skogsgurra points out, all Siemens devices are available in Europe. To determine the actual type of fuse or circuit breaker, you will need to know the voltage the VFD's are connected to and the current rating. If it is a Siemens VFD, they will advise the type of fuse/breaker recommended for that particular unit.
Fuses:

http://www.automation.siemens.com/cd/is_schuetzen/html_76/standardsicherungen.htm

Circuit Breakers:

http://www.automation.siemens.com/cd/is_schuetzen/html_76/leistungsschalter.htm

 

[NTSman]

Thanks guys.
I found an old (1998/99) Siemens catalog that had the Sitor fuses and holders in it, combined with some more research on the 34W44 softstart I have the right protection designed. Now I am puzzled how to get the 600amps of power to everything. Do they use power distribution blocks (A-B 1492 series) in Europe, or just busbar systems? The power distribution block is easier to design into the system, considering the safety catagory I am needing, but are PDBs available and accepted in Europe?

 

[ScottyUK]

NTSman,

European terminal blocks are dominated by a couple of major brands: Weidmuller-Klippon and Entrelec. There are many others with smaller market share. Terminals similar to the A-B 1492 series are common over here. The cage clamp type of terminals such as the 1492-J240 don't maintain acceptable clamping force on solid-stranded cable typical of European installation and tend to work loose. They're ok on fine multistrand cable but that's not a common installation cable. A better alternative is the Weidmuller SAK-G bolt-through terminal which accepts a compression lug.

http://catalog.weidmueller.com/cgi-...65&infoID=productDetails&lang=en&Refresh=true

At 600A I would not be expecting to terminate a cable to terminals but to a busbar stub or direct to the local breaker or switch. That is a massive cable to wrestle onto a terminal rail and while it can be done it makes for an unnecessarily awkward job. Anyway, what are you doing with 600A? The largest starter you mentioned was 110kW which is less than one third of that current at the standard European voltage of 400V.


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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...