When designing a new machine, control system or industrial application, selecting the correct inverter involves more than simply choosing a drive with the right kW rating.
The motor, application, required speed range, control requirements and communication system can all influence which inverter is most suitable.
The Lenze i500 inverter range provides a flexible solution for a wide range of industrial motor control applications. The range includes the Lenze i510 and Lenze i550, allowing the drive to be selected according to the requirements of the application.
At Modern Drives & Controls, we can help customers select and supply suitable Lenze i500 inverter solutions for new machinery, control panels and industrial applications.
What is the Lenze i500 inverter range?
The Lenze i500 is a range of variable frequency inverters designed for controlling the speed and torque of electric motors.
The range provides solutions for straightforward motor control applications through to more demanding applications requiring additional functionality, communication and integration with wider automation systems.
The two main cabinet-mounted drives within the range are:
- Lenze i510
- Lenze i550
Both drives provide a range of motor control and commissioning options, but the most suitable choice will depend on the individual application. The i510 covers cabinet applications up to 15 kW at 400 V, while the i550 provides a wider power range, up to 132 kW at 400 V.
Selecting an inverter for a new application
When specifying an inverter for a new application, simply matching the inverter power rating to the motor is not always enough.
A number of factors should be considered, including:
- Supply voltage
- Motor power
- Motor current
- Motor voltage
- Required speed range
- Type of load
- Starting torque
- Acceleration requirements
- Deceleration requirements
- Overload requirements
- Braking requirements
- Motor feedback or encoder requirements
- Communication requirements
- Integration with PLC and control systems
For example, a fan or pump application may have very different requirements from a conveyor, winding application, hoist or packaging machine.
Understanding how the motor will be used is therefore an important part of selecting the correct inverter.
Lenze i510 or i550 – Which drive is suitable?
The choice between the Lenze i510 and Lenze i550 should be based on the requirements of the application rather than simply the motor power.
Lenze i510
The Lenze i510 is suitable for a wide range of industrial motor control applications.
It provides functionality including digital and analogue inputs and outputs, CANopen and Modbus RTU communication, encoder support, braking functions and a range of motor control methods.
The i510 can be a suitable choice where a compact and capable inverter is required for a general industrial application.
Lenze i550
The Lenze i550 provides greater scalability and is suitable for applications requiring additional functionality, higher power ratings or integration with industrial automation systems.
One of the major advantages of the i550 is the wide range of communication options available, making it suitable for integration into more complex control and automation systems.
The most suitable drive will depend on the motor, machine and control requirements.
Communication and integration with control systems
Communication is an important consideration when specifying an inverter for a new machine or control panel.
An inverter may need to communicate with:
- A PLC
- A machine controller
- An HMI
- A wider factory automation network
- Other connected equipment
Depending on the drive configuration, the Lenze i500 range can support industrial communication protocols including:
- CANopen
- EtherCAT
- EtherNet/IP
- IO-Link
- Modbus RTU
- Modbus TCP
- PROFIBUS
- PROFINET
- POWERLINK
The available communication options make the i550 particularly suitable for applications where the inverter needs to be integrated into a wider industrial automation system.
When designing a new control system, identifying the required communication system at an early stage can help ensure the inverter and control equipment are correctly specified.
Commissioning and parameterisation
The Lenze i500 range provides several options for commissioning, parameterisation and diagnostics.
Depending on the application and equipment used, the drive can be accessed using:
- A keypad
- A PC using Lenze EASY Starter
- A smartphone or tablet using the Lenze Smart Keypad App
The appropriate method will depend on the application and the level of access required.
For straightforward adjustments, the keypad can be used to access and change important drive parameters.
For more detailed commissioning, diagnostics and parameterisation, the Lenze EASY Starter engineering software can be used. EASY Starter provides structured parameterisation and diagnostic functions and can be used during commissioning and maintenance.
Control and diagnostics using an app
One particularly useful feature available for the Lenze i500 range is the ability to communicate with the drive using the Lenze Smart Keypad App.
When the appropriate WLAN module is fitted, the app can be used with the i500 for functions including:
- Accessing connected devices
- Drive diagnostics
- Viewing diagnostic information
- Viewing and accessing parameters
- Identifying the drive
- Resetting faults
This provides a convenient way of accessing diagnostic and parameter information using a compatible smartphone or tablet without requiring a physical keypad connection.
This can be particularly useful during commissioning, maintenance and fault finding.
Applications for the Lenze i500
The Lenze i500 range can be used across a wide variety of industrial applications.
Examples include:
- Conveyor systems
- Travelling drives
- Pumps
- Fans
- Mixers
- Packaging machinery
- Winding applications
- Hoists
- Extruders
- Materials handling systems
- General industrial machinery
The requirements of each application should be considered individually when selecting the drive and associated control equipment. Lenze specifically identifies applications including conveyors, travelling drives, winding applications, hoists, packaging machinery, pumps and fans for the i550.
Braking and stopping requirements
Braking requirements should also be considered when selecting an inverter.
Some applications may only require the motor to follow a controlled deceleration ramp.
Other applications may require faster stopping or additional braking capability.
Depending on the application, this could involve:
- Controlled deceleration
- DC braking
- Dynamic braking using a brake resistor
- Mechanical braking
- Brake management
The Lenze i500 range includes braking and brake-management functions, depending on the drive and configuration.
Understanding the required stopping time and the behaviour of the machine is important when selecting the inverter and any associated braking equipment.
Modern Drives & Controls can also assist with DC braking and braking control panels where required.
Designing an inverter into a new control panel
When designing a new control panel, the inverter is only one part of the overall system.
The complete application may also require consideration of:
- Motor selection
- Drive selection
- PLC control
- HMI requirements
- Communication networks
- Control circuits
- Safety circuits
- Braking systems
- Motor protection
- Control panel design
Considering these requirements together can help ensure the complete system is designed around the needs of the application.
Modern Drives & Controls can supply Lenze drives as part of a wider motor control or control panel solution.
What information is needed to select a Lenze i500?
Providing as much information as possible about the application can help identify the most suitable drive.
Useful information includes:
- Motor nameplate details
- Motor power
- Motor current
- Motor voltage
- Supply voltage
- Motor speed
- Description of the application
- Required speed range
- Acceleration requirements
- Deceleration requirements
- Braking requirements
- Encoder requirements
- PLC and communication requirements
A photograph of the motor nameplate can often provide useful information when selecting the correct inverter.
For new machinery, details of the proposed application and control system can also help identify the most suitable Lenze i500 configuration.
Can the Lenze i500 also be used for existing machinery?
Although the Lenze i500 range is an excellent option for new applications and machinery, it can also be considered when modernising existing equipment.
When replacing an existing inverter, it is important to check more than just the motor power. Communication, braking, feedback, inputs and outputs and the overall application should all be considered.
If you are specifically replacing an obsolete Lenze 8200 or 8400 drive, we have covered this in more detail in our article:
What to Do When Your Lenze 8200 or 8400 Drive Becomes Obsolete
Selecting the right Lenze i500 inverter
The Lenze i500 range provides flexible solutions for a wide range of industrial motor control applications.
Whether you are designing a new machine, specifying a control panel or developing a new automation system, selecting the correct inverter involves considering the complete requirements of the application.
Factors such as motor characteristics, speed requirements, braking, communication and control integration can all influence whether an i510 or i550 is the most suitable choice.
If you are looking for a Lenze i500 inverter, Lenze i510 or Lenze i550 drive for a new application, Modern Drives & Controls can help identify and supply a suitable solution.
Contact Modern Drives & Controls with your motor and application details to discuss your requirements.