Schneider Electric announces launch of Altivar 12

Altivar 12 – An economical product discreet in size, high on performance making your machines more productive and competitive

Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy efficiency and management today announced the launch of Altivar 12,

the new small variable speed drive. Altivar 12 is a new generation

Variable Speed Drive that delivers flexibility, robust eco-friendly

performance, energy efficiency and reliability in a compact,

easy-to-use design, which particularly suits the today’s need

of auxiliaries for industrial machines and for consumer machines.

Altivar 12 with its discrete, compact, efficient and robust features is particularly attractive for use in numerous sectors, such as:

· The food industry (ventilation of catering kitchens, bagging machines, bakers’ kneading machines, greenhouses, etc.)

· Small handling applications (car washes, conveyors, etc.)

· The medical and health sector (medical beds, running machines)

· Machines with a single-phase socket (wood-working machines, surface polishing and cleaning machines, swimming pool or irrigation pumps, hydro-massage bathtubs, etc.)

· Simple mechanical applications (2-speed motors, DC motors, mechanical drives, etc.)

Coherence to universal Range

Altivar 12 with built-in category C1 EMC filter ensures perfect integration into the electrical network. Although compact in size (the smallest model measures just 72 mm wide, 102 mm deep and 143 mm high), the Altivar 12 incorporates nearly 150 application-specific functions. Designed for easy drive installation and wiring, the cable installer only needs one standard-sized screwdriver to install both the control and power sections. The power section is wired up without removing the terminal cover. The access angles have been improved and the numerous markings eliminate the risk of errors. The references and serial numbers are always visible on the front, even if products are mounted side by side.

Ease of Programming

One of the core new features is the navigation button. The small wheel on the front gives direct fingertip access, allowing the user to customize the configuration quickly. Another important new feature, drive can be configured in its packaging without making it power on. The BlueTooth link makes it easy to transfer configurations via PC/Mobile. Simply prepare the data on a PC with the SoMove program and transfer it via a mobile phone. The Simple Loader accessory can be used to transfer the configuration quickly from one powered-up drive to another.

Built in Communication

Altivar 12 communicates easily with all the other machine components via the integrated universal Modbus serial link. Altivar 12 is easily integrated into control system architectures. Also an optional display be connected to mount on panel door using Modbus.

Rugedness & Reliability

Quality and ruggedness are the overriding design considerations for this new model. And to withstand the harsh environments, the cards are coated as standard and the drive’s resistance to disturbed power supplies has been increased. The end-of-life label, engraved for permanency, is affixed to the back of the product and is easily accessible.

“Like all new-generation Schneider Electric products, the Altivar 12 has been eco-designed. It meets the requirements of the ROHS and WEEE directives. We have reduced its maintenance to a minimum and it has been designed to last 10 years” said Mr. Deepak Kashyap, Schneider Electric. “With the Altivar 12, energy saving has not been forgotten: a reduction of more than 30% in energy costs is assured for the majority of pumps and fan applications.”

About Schneider Electric

As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and data centres/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company’s 114,000 employees achieved sales of more than 18.3 billion euros in 2008, through an active commitment to help individuals and organisations “make the most of their energy™”.www.schneider-electric.com