International Rectifier is offering a new family of highly integrated, ultra-compact, patent pending µIPM™ power modules for high efficiency appliance and light industrial applications including compressor drives for refrigeration, pumps for heating and water circulation, air-conditioning fans, dishwashers, and automation systems. By utilizing an innovative packaging solution, the µIPM family delivers a new benchmark in device size, offering up to a 60% smaller footprint than existing 3-phase motor control power ICs.

Ultra-compact at 12x12x0.9mm in a PQFN package, the µIPM family comprises a series of fully integrated 3-phase surface-mount motor control circuit solutions. IR's innovation is utilizing PCB copper traces to dissipate heat from the module, providing cost savings through a smaller package design and even eliminating the need for an external heat sink. By using standard packaging QFN technology, assembly is simplified by eliminating through-hole second pass assembly and improving thermal performance compared to traditional dual-in-line module solutions.

IR’s µIPM product family features a common pin-out and package size and is available in from 2A to 4A and voltages of 250V and 500V.

Eaton Corporation is expanding connectivity options for the SmartWire-DT panel wiring system, a control panels technology and process that make panel construction easy. Replacing numerous wires used to connect motor control components with a single cable, the SmartWire-DT system is now available to North American customers with Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP, in addition to PROFIBUS-DP and CANopen. This added flexibility allows the SmartWire-DT system to more easily integrate with original equipment manufacturer’s (OEMs) preferred industrial network.

The SmartWire-DT panel wiring solution uses an eight-conductor, flat cable located in the control cabinet to connect motor starters, pushbutton actuators, and indicator lights. The start of the system is a SmartWire-DT gateway, which establishes the connection to standard programmable logic controller (PLC) fieldbuses, now including Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP, as well as PROFIBUS-DP and CANopen.

“Eaton is helping customers make their processes more competitive with Lean solutions designed to dramatically reduce the assembly and commissioning time, while maintaining or improving the quality of the control system,” said Richard Chung, Eaton product manager. “By replacing complex wiring inside control cabinets, the SmartWire-DT system automates, simplifies and expedites connecting control panel components – establishing a new level of efficiency, accuracy and reliability. Further, with the addition of Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP connectivity, the SmartWire-DT system provides versatile connectivity options – integrating with a broad range of customers’ choice protocols. ”

Eaton’s electronic overload relays are now available up to 175 ampere (A) and feature integral ground fault protection and communications capabilities in a single, compact device.

Designed for global applications, Eaton's expand line of C440 and XT electronic overload relays provide an integrated starter solution and eliminate the need for an external current transformer(CT), reducing overall space and equipment requirements

For applications requiring National Electrical Manufacturer Association (NEMA) size 4 and 185A International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) contactors, the electronic overload relays provide an integrated starter solution. Additionally, the new frame is available in cable-in/cable-out and pass-through versions, making it well suited for upgrading existing customer infrastructure.

Customers can select the motor protection features they need, with selectable trip class, ground fault detection, phase imbalance and full load current (FLA) adjustment (5:1). Further, the C440 and XT overload relays can integrate into plant management systems, allowing network monitoring and providing asset protection. Eaton C440 and XT overload relays feature integral communications capabilities, which allow the relays to easily integrate with customers’ preferred industrial network. DeviceNet, PROFIBUS, Modbus, Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP communication protocols are supported.

A light-emitting diode (LED) display on the device provides easy-to-see indication of device status and fault indication, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly determine if the device and motor are operating appropriately.

These relays meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Conformité Européenne (CE) standards. Additionally, the solid-state overload relays are Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliant.

Eaton's new C441 Ethernet series of communications cards allow customers to select from Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, HTTP web services and Modbus RTU communication protocols in a single card. The innovation is designed to help industrial customers, machinery OEMs and panel builders with flexible communication options to configure, control and monitor their systems.

Integral web services provide an easy-to-use web-based graphical user interface (GUI) to make it easier to recognize potential problems. Using a laptop or smart device, customers can drill down to a given load by simply entering an IP address into their web browser. With four levels of access, the cards ensure only those with credentials have access to critical or sensitive functions.

An Eaton representative explained, “Integral web services allow for configuration, control, monitoring and diagnostics. Also, the flexibility in communications allows OEM customers to add value to their equipment with simple and desirable features, like supervision and control.”

The C441 is compatible with Eaton C440, XTOE and C441 electronic motor protection relays, S611 soft starters, and can be used as stand-alone input/output (IO). Now, the suite of protocols available for Eaton motor protection and soft starter solutions includes PROFIBUS, Modbus TCP and RTU, DeviceNet, and Ethernet IP.

Problems can be addressed in real time with intelligent monitoring readouts from starters and onboard available four digital inputs (120 volts alternating current or 24 volts direct current) and two discrete relay outputs. With a dual port switch, the Ethernet card allows for easy daisy chaining and reliable ring configurations. Additionally, customers have the ability to use one network for control and another for monitoring – through the Modbus serial protocol used in parallel with the Ethernet network –allowing redundant communications and greater reliability with a single card.

According to a recent report from IMS Research, pumping applications account for the majority of the global medium voltage motor control centers market. From an industry perspective, this market is heavily concentrated in the oil & gas and mining sectors, which account for more than half of total revenues in 2010. Other notable industries in this market included chemicals, commercial HVAC, power generation, pulp & paper and water & waste-water. Together, these sectors contributed another 26% of market revenues during the year. Highest growth forecasts are projected for the oil & gas and mining segments of this market from 2010 to 2015, largely due to high commodity prices that are expected to persist.

The global market for medium voltage motor control centers was worth more than $140 million in 2010, with more than 5,300 units shipped during the year. It was a recovery year following a dismal 2009, albeit as slow one. The US market comprised more than 60% of the global market during the year, while Canada accounted for nearly 20% of total revenues. The markets in EMEA and in Asia Pacific were much smaller, together comprising only 13% of total market revenues in 2010.

The main reason for the market’s concentration in North America stems from the fact that US end-users have a different approach to systems engineering. In the US, for example, much of the engineering expertise at many OEMs and end-users continues to be downsized, and companies increasingly rely on system engineering services from some of the larger industrial automation suppliers such as ABB, Eaton, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric and Siemens, who carry-in their own MCC solutions.

Outside of the US, the most common approach to starting and stopping medium voltage motors is to use vacuum breaker based medium voltage switchgear, normally designed and installed by a systems integrator, not one of the larger automation suppliers.

Contactors are traditionally used to start and control AC induction motors, where large power switching may occur and safety is a concern. The market for contactors generally follows machinery production forecasts and is tied in heavily to underlying GDP forecasts.

However, adoption of smart grid technologies drove 2010 volumes up higher than expected, and is forecast to continue to do so as smart grid initiatives gain momentum worldwide according to a study from IMS Research, entitled The World Market for Low Voltage AC & DC Contactors and Overload Protection Devices – 2011.

The global trend towards installing smart grid technologies is forecast to be the strongest market driver for low voltage contactors over the next five years, spurring contactor market revenues to over $5 billion by 2016. In IMS representative comments, “With more decentralized power generation, and more parties likely to act as electricity providers, the need for safe and reliable power switching is expected to increase. Growth in renewable energy, and related grid integration and management of renewable energy, is the single strongest driver for further adoption of contactors in power switching.”

2010 market revenues grew to an estimated $3 billion for contactors, with over a third of the revenues being for contactors sold into power switching. By 2016, revenues for contactors sold into power switching alone are forecast to reach $2 billion globally, or just over half the total projected market revenues.

Micronor's new model MR330 series position sensor is an all-optical design immune to any electro-magnetic interference such as lightening, radiation, magnetic fields and other harsh environmental conditions. The fiber optic aspect of the sensor also makes it perfectly suited for long distance position sensing over hundreds of meters without being affected by ground loop problems.

The new absolute FOPS uses a novel optical technique embedded in a passive sensor and active controller connected by a duplex fiber optic link. The controller transmits a burst of light to the code disk in the sensor which accurately modulates the spectral components of the light based on angular position. The position information is imprinted in the optical spectrum of the light and guided back to the controller for a precise position readout.

The sensor requires no electrical power and houses no electronic components.

To learn more, view the video below, courtesy of Micronor.

Emerson Control Techniques launches the new Commander SK on YouTube with a video. It looks like an impressive line-up. And we appreciate the new media marketing strategy. (view here.)

Eaton Corporation is introducing the SmartWire-DT^TM panel wiring solution in North America. Already available in Europe under the brand SmartWire Darwin, the system is designed to reduce panel wiring complexity, improve system reliability, save installation time and reduce panel space. The idea changes the way panels are constructed by eliminating conventional wire and wiring found in the control circuit into a single cable, connecting motor control components to customers’ PLCs.

The SmartWire-DT system is engineered to reduce panel wiring complexity and assembly labor time, speed the start-up commissioning processes, and provide extensive run-time diagnostics. It links standard motor control components within the panel, separate distribution panels or remote control stations, and creates communications enabled devices. Additionally, the SmartWire-DT flat cable connections safeguard the control panel from unauthorized wiring changes, helping to protect the craftsmanship and integrity of the control panel.

Energy efficiency regulations and soaring energy prices have increased awareness among end users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) about the benefits of medium voltage (MV) drives. Supported by MV drive manufacturers and regulators, OEMs are also currently focusing more on ROI, which is generally around two years in most cases and even less in others. New Frost & Sullivan Strategic Analysis of the European Medium Voltage Drives Market finds that the market earned revenues of $176.9 million in 2010 and estimates this to reach $287.2 million by 2016.

AC and DC MV drives are often used in oil and gas, power generation, metals and mining, marine, cement and aggregate, water and wastewater treatment.

“The urgent need to reduce energy costs and boost energy efficiency will spur the demand for MV drives in Europe over the period 2011 to 2016,” notes analyst Sahitya Yerramreddy. “It is estimated that MV drives can save up to 60.0 per cent of energy compared to motors running at full speed, by varying the speed under no load conditions.”