Eaton Joins In On The Pump Action

Highlights on the stand will include the newly launched PowerXL variable speed drives which are rated up to 250 kW. The drives are part of Eaton’s lean strategy and pluggable modules enable the PowerXL variable frequency drives to be incorporated quickly and simply into Eaton's SmartWire-DT connection and communication technology which completely eliminates the need for conventional control circuit wiring. The new drives give users an easy-to-install, operator-friendly solution for driving pumps.

Echoing the ‘Sustainable Pumping’ theme of this year’s event the PowerXL drives are highly energy efficient: the DA1 series supports both the standard three-phase motors that normally comply with the current IE2 and IE3 standard, as well as the permanent magnet motors that are designed for the future IE4 standard. The devices also feature an energy optimiser that can automatically reduce the motor voltage with light loads.

Another interesting technology on the Eaton stand is the PKE motor-protective circuit-breaker, the overriding advantage of which, compared with conventional solutions, lies in the expanded drive monitoring. The diagnostic, status or overload messages show the actual flow of current and display the status of the overload trip device. The actual motor current can be continuously displayed and analysed via Eaton’s “SmartWire-DT” without additional components. Depending on the drive application, the following operating states can be differentiated: motor switched off, motor under load, motor no-load, motor operation, motor overload and motor fault. The separate load limits and the time response behaviour can be individually programmed and adapted to all drive tasks.

Interestingly, where reliability is a major factor, emerging faults can be identified in good time thanks to the transmission of motor current and overload status. This enables the system operator to intervene before an undesirable interruption occurs. Of particular interest in this case is the option to operate the PKE as a motor protection relay. The motor-protective circuit-breaker is then not triggered in the event of overload; only the associated contactor is disconnected. Once the overload situation is rectified, the motor can be switched on again via the control unit without the maintenance personnel having to first reset the protection switch

Eaton is focused on sustainability and efficiency and therefore its products and services are perfectly matched to help address the pressures that face the water industry currently.