ACS880 Regenerative Drives

ACS880 regenerative drives (ACS880-11 wall-mounted, ACS880-14 modules and ACS880-17 cabinets) feed braking energy back to the supply instead of burning it in a braking resistor. They use an active supply unit with a built-in line filter, so they also run at unity power factor with low input harmonics.

When regeneration pays

Any load that is often braked or driven by the load is a candidate:

• Cranes and hoists lowering loads
• Downhill conveyors
• Centrifuges and decanters with long deceleration
• Test benches and dynamometers
• Unwinders and process lines with continuous braking

With a resistor, all that energy becomes heat in the panel. A regenerative drive returns it to the plant network, which can cut energy bills, removes the resistor and its cooling, and reduces panel heat load.

Selection notes

Compare the regenerated energy (braking power × duty) with the extra cost over a standard drive plus brake chopper and resistor. Also check the supply: regenerative drives need a supply that can accept returned power, and they can help meet harmonic limits because their input current is close to sinusoidal.