Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Danfoss Drives introduces the VLT® Soft Starter MCD500 with AAC

By Miles Budimir | June 3, 2010

Danfoss Drives introduces the VLT® Soft Starter MCD500 with Adaptive Acceleration Control (AAC). AAC is the newest evolution in soft start technology, enabling users to select different acceleration and deceleration profiles according to specific application needs, optimizing performance and maximizing energy efficiency.

Among the most compact soft starters available in its class, the features-laden VLT Soft Starter MCD500 is available in 23 models and five different frame sizes, from 21A – 1600A (7.5kW – 800kW). The G1 frame size is IP20 rated, and G2 – G5 frame sizes are IP00 rated. Optional finger guard kits are available for the G2-G5 frames to achieve IP20. Moreover, the MCD500 is significantly smaller and more compact than its MCD3000 predecessor. The MCD 500 series have earned certification and approvals by the following: CE, CCC, C-Tick, RoHs, UL, cUL and Lloyds Register.

Danfoss-VLT-Soft-Starter-MCD500

Soft Starters are typically used to limit motor start current, or to control load acceleration and /or deceleration. The former is best accomplished with constant current control, and the latter is best accomplished with Adaptive Acceleration Control. The MCD 500 offers both constant current and Adaptive Acceleration Control, making it a powerful and flexible soft starter solution ideal for any number of water/wastewater, HVAC, industrial, and food and beverage applications, among others.

Soft starting, or gradual and shock free acceleration, can benefit all motor applications, but many situations need more precise acceleration and /or deceleration control – that is where AAC technology shines. For example, AAC is particularly dominant in controlling pumps, band saws and conveyor systems because it allows the selection of multiple deceleration profiles.

The VLT Soft Starter MCD500 is loaded with additional features to satisfy various application needs and optimize performance, including:

  • Integral bypass contactor for models up to 215 Amp or 150 Hp – this reduces space requirements and eliminates the need for external equipment, and simplifies installation.
  •  MCD communication options to support the following field bus networks: ASCII for Remote Operator and WinMaster, Profibus DP, DeviceNet and Modbus RTU and USB option.
  • User friendly 4-line plain language and graphical display; supports eight languages, including Chinese.
  • A simulation function lets users test the external control circuits and equipment without connecting the MCD500 to line voltage or a motor.
  • MCD500 models of 360A and above have adjustable bus bars that allow top or bottom connectivity of input and output cabling; this also provides flexibility in retrofitting other starters where the bus bars or cables are located top or bottom.
  • Stopping – The MCD500 pulses DC over all three phases, and does not require an external contactor. The majority of competitive soft starters pulse DC in only two phases, and require an external contactor.
  • The MCD 500 slow speed, or JOG, function allows the operator to run the motor at part speed in either forward or reverse direction; this is ideal for load positioning in mixers or hopper bins ready for unloading.
  • Activation of the MCD 500 Emergency Run Mode initiates a start and deactivates all protection systems, which enables the motor to run as long as possible despite a deteriorating environment. For example, in case of a fire, equipment such as ventilation fans in high rise buildings can be required to run at all costs.
  • Premium overload protection – The MCD 500 “second order thermal” model allows motors to be used to their full potential without fear of damage from overloading. The second order thermal model takes into consideration the difference between the motor winding and motor casing characteristics. It also accounts for motor current, iron losses and winding resistance losses, and even accounts for running the cooling fan at the back of the motor versus standstill. This feature enables users to avoid having to use expensive motor protection relays.

Danfoss
www.danfossdrives.com

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: MECHANICAL POWER TRANSMISSION, Motion control • motor controls, Shocks + vibration control • gas springs
Tagged With: danfossdrives
 

About The Author

Miles Budimir

Miles has been with Design World since 2009 covering motion control, automation, and test and measurement. He holds a BSEE degree and an MA in Philosophy from Cleveland State University and has experience working in the controls industry as a project engineer. Miles has taught engineering technology courses as well as engineering ethics continuing education courses for professional engineers in the state of Ohio. He is also a drummer, and enjoys travel and photography.

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
  • Sustainable Practices for a Sustainable World
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more