ABB ACS310-03E-13A8-4 ACS310 5.5 kW Pump and Fan Drive

ABB ACS310-03E-13A8-4: 5.5 kW drive for pumps and fans

The ABB ACS310-03E-13A8-4 is a 5.5 kW ACS310 general purpose drive in frame R3, rated 13.8 A on 380 to 480 V three-phase supplies. ABB designed the ACS310 for variable-torque applications such as centrifugal pumps and fans, where it offers simple start-up and energy savings through speed control.

The 03E part of the code indicates a 3-phase input with the EMC filter connected. The housing is IP20 for cabinet mounting, with an optional NEMA 1 kit for wall mounting.

Technical specifications

Sizing for variable-torque loads

The ACS310 allows only a 10% overload (light-duty current 12.5 A at 50 C, and ABB gives 13.8 A as the maximum continuous output at 40 C, derated 1% per additional degree to 50 C). This matches centrifugal loads, but constant-torque conveyors or compressors with high starting torque should be checked against a heavier drive family such as ACS355 or ACS580.

Supply current depends on the line impedance: 20.7 A without a choke or reactor and 12.3 A with a 5% reactor. Use the figure for the real installation when choosing cables and fuses. Altitude above 1000 m reduces rated current by 1% per 100 m up to 2000 m.

Frame R3 is 169 mm wide, 169 mm high and 169 mm deep in IP20 form (236 mm high with fastenings and clamping plate), weighing 2.5 kg; the NEMA 1 version is 3.1 kg. Heat dissipation at nominal load is 130 W, and the fan moves 52 m3/h. A 25 A gG fuse or 30 A UL class T fuse protects the input, with 6 mm2 copper conductors for supply and motor.

Control connections include an embedded Modbus link on EIA-485 at 1.2 to 76.8 kbit/s, a bus interface isolated from the drive, and ABB lists AC input chokes and AC output chokes as external options.

Reading the ACS310-03E-13A8-4 order code

ACS310 is the series, 03 the 3-phase input, E the connected EMC filter (U means filter disconnected with US parametrization), 13A8 the output current and 4 the 380 to 480 V range. Options in ABB’s catalogue cover control panels, fieldbus adapters and input or output chokes; state them on the request.

Selection checklist for pump and fan duty

Before committing to this rating, compare the motor nameplate current with the drive output current rather than relying on kilowatts alone; motors of the same power can draw different currents depending on pole count and efficiency. Confirm that the load really is variable-torque: centrifugal pumps, supply and extract fans and cooling-tower fans are the natural fit, while anything that must start against a heavy load deserves a closer look at the overload figures in the table above.

• Check the supply voltage and whether the network is earthed in a way that suits a drive with the EMC filter connected.
• Decide whether an input choke is wanted, since it changes the input current used for cable and fuse sizing.
• Agree how the drive will be controlled: local operation, hard-wired signals from a PLC, or the embedded Modbus link.
• Choose IP20 cabinet mounting or the NEMA 1 wall-mounting option according to where the drive will sit.

Installation and commissioning practice

Mount the drive vertically in a clean enclosure and leave clear space above and below so the cooling air flow listed on this page can circulate. Size the enclosure ventilation or cooling for the stated heat dissipation, plus the heat from any other equipment in the same panel. Use the fuse ratings and copper cable sizes given in the specifications, keep motor cables separated from control and communication wiring, and terminate screens as described in the user’s manual to keep EMC behaviour under control.

At commissioning, enter the motor nameplate data, set acceleration and deceleration ramps that suit the hydraulic system so that pressure surges and water hammer are avoided, and verify the direction of rotation with the motor uncoupled where possible. When Modbus is used, set the address and baud rate within the stated range and test reading and writing before the system is handed over.

Gulf climate considerations

Many pump stations and HVAC plant rooms in Oman run hot, and the drive’s current rating falls as ambient temperature rises above the reference value quoted on this page. Plan panel cooling so the air around the drive stays as low as practical, avoid locating panels in direct sun, and keep dust out of the enclosure, since fine sand on the cooling surfaces reduces their effectiveness. In humid coastal sites, avoid condensation inside the panel during cool nights and shutdown periods.

Maintenance and information for your RFQ

Routine care is straightforward: inspect the cooling path and clean dust away, check terminal tightness, look for discolouration on power cables, and review the fault history during scheduled shutdowns. Keep a record of the parameter settings so a replacement can be configured quickly.

When requesting a quotation, include the motor power and full-load current, supply voltage, load type, the mounting option (IP20 or NEMA 1), any chokes, control panel or fieldbus options from the catalogue, the quantity and, for a replacement, the full type code from the existing drive.

Documents and quotation

Data follows the ACS310 user’s manual and the ABB catalogue attached to this page, with the ABB product record identifying the type. More drives are listed under AC Drives, and the ACS355-03E-07A3-4 is a related machinery drive.

Please confirm before ordering: motor current, load type, supply voltage and options. ACS310 is a legacy series; Seven Star LLC, an independent supplier in Muscat, confirms current availability and lead time at quotation.