Danfoss 131G0032 VLT AutomationDrive FC 301, 18.5 kW

An 18.5 kW FC 301 with brake chopper and PROFIBUS DP card for PLC-controlled lines

Danfoss order number 131G0032 identifies the VLT AutomationDrive FC 301 type FC-301P18KT4E20H2BGXXXXSXXXXA0BXCXXXXDX. Unlike the FC 302 variants, the FC 301 is the standard-performance member of the family: it runs on 380-480 V supplies, offers four to five programmable digital inputs (as listed in the operating guide), a single relay and shielded motor cables up to 50 m, and focuses on pumps, fans, conveyors and general machinery. This particular drive is rated 18.5 kW (25 hp) at high overload and has an integrated brake chopper (letter B), a graphical control panel and a factory-installed PROFIBUS DP MCA 101 fieldbus card (A0) for connection to a PROFIBUS master.

Technical specifications

Type code of 131G0032

Selection, installation and communications

The FC 301 limits shielded motor cable to 50 m and unshielded cable to 75 m, against 150 m and 300 m for the FC 302, which matters for long runs to submersible or remote motors. The B4 frame needs 200 mm free air above and below, accepts 35 mm2 (AWG 2) mains and motor cables, and the operating guide recommends a gG-50 fuse (maximum gG-125) and an NZMB1-A100 breaker for 18.5 kW. Dynamic braking uses the built-in chopper with an external resistor.

The PROFIBUS option adds a second communications channel next to the standard RS-485 and USB ports. As the boards are not coated, avoid sites with corrosive gases. The Danfoss store page also shows an “Upgrade available” notice for this code, so confirm with us whether the current revision or a successor is being supplied.

Installing the B4 chassis drive

As an IP20 chassis unit, the 131G0032 has to be installed inside a cabinet that provides the protection the site requires. Keep the 200 mm free air space above and below that the operating guide asks for, and make sure the cabinet cooling removes the drive’s power loss together with the heat from the other equipment in the panel. Use shielded motor cable within the FC 301 length limits, clamp the shield at the drive end with a proper cable clamp, and run motor, mains and control cables along separate routes. Connect the external brake resistor with the cable and protection specified by Danfoss, and place the resistor where its heat cannot reach the drive or other components.

Commissioning and PROFIBUS setup

Using the graphical control panel, enter the motor nameplate data and follow the start-up steps in the operating guide, then set ramps, limits and the control source. For the PROFIBUS DP card, set the station address to match the PLC configuration, import the drive’s device description file into the PLC engineering tool and agree the telegram layout with the PLC programmer. Test start, stop, speed reference and status words from the PLC before the line goes into production, and define what the drive must do if communication with the master is lost, so that a cable fault leads to a safe and predictable stop.

Uncoated boards, heat and dust in Omani installations

The type code shows a printed circuit board without coating, so the cabinet environment deserves particular care. Avoid placing the drive close to battery rooms, sewage treatment areas, process units with sour gas or at the coast without filtration, where hydrogen sulphide, chlorine or salt-laden air may be present. During Oman’s long summer, make sure the cabinet cooling keeps the internal temperature within the limits in the operating guide, and fit filters that stop fine sand without starving the drive of air. Clean the filters and the heat sink before the hottest months, and check the cooling fans during planned shutdowns.

Selection points to confirm

Check that the motor current fits the high or normal overload rating that matches the load: high overload for conveyors and machinery with heavy starts, normal overload for centrifugal pumps and fans. Confirm the motor cable length, the braking duty and resistor size, the type of PROFIBUS master and the space available inside the cabinet for the B4 frame, then send the full type code with your enquiry so the drive can be matched exactly.

Brake resistor and routine checks

Size the external brake resistor from the real stopping duty of the machine, including how often it decelerates and how much inertia it carries, and check the resistor data against the limits in the Danfoss documentation. During routine maintenance, inspect the resistor and its wiring for overheating marks, check the PROFIBUS connector and cable shield, and read the alarm log from the control panel before clearing it, since repeated trips usually point to a process or mechanical cause that should be investigated.

Documents and quotation

The manufacturer operating guide for A-C frames is attached. For performance drives see the Danfoss VLT AutomationDrive FC 302 page and for more categories see AC drives. Send us the label data and the fieldbus requirement, and confirm the exact code with us before ordering.