ABB ACH580-01-12A7-4 HVAC AC Drive 5.5 kW 12.6 A

ACH580-01-12A7-4: 12.6 A of fan and pump control for buildings

Rated 5.5 kW with 12.6 A of nominal output current, the ACH580-01-12A7-4 belongs to ABB’s ACH580-01 range, the wall-mounted HVAC line with BACnet MS/TP, Modbus RTU and N2 built in. It occupies frame R1. At 5.5 kW it is the largest R1 rating, so a lot of motor power fits the narrowest frame. ABB positions the family for fans, pumps and also for basic constant-torque duties such as compressors.

ABB equips the ACH580 with building functions rather than generic machine macros, among them motor preheating, an energy optimiser with kWh counters, stall and overload protection and Drivetune smartphone commissioning with the Bluetooth panel. See more ratings under AC drives; the sister platform is described on the ABB ACS580 page.

Technical specifications

Duty ratings of the ACH580-01-12A7-4

The catalogue gives three ratings for this type. Nominal use is 12.6 A for 5.5 kW. Light-duty use on 380 to 415 V is 12 A for 5.5 kW, which allows 110% overload for one minute in ten (about 13.2 A, derived). On a 440 to 480 V supply the light-duty current is 12 A, matching 7 hp. ABB states that all ACH580 ratings apply at +40 degrees C ambient.

Frame R1 in IP21 form stands 373 mm tall including the gland box (331 mm without it), 125 mm wide and 223 mm deep, and weighs 4.6 kg. The IP55 build measures 403 x 128 x 233 mm at 4.8 kg. With a main switch or C1 filter variant the IP55 body becomes 403 x 128 x 255 mm and 5.4 kg.

ABB’s selection guide for IE4 synchronous reluctance motors names the ACH580-01-12A7-4 as the matched drive for 3 kW M3AL100LB4 at 3000 rpm (9.5 A nominal, motor efficiency 88.6%, package efficiency 86.4%); 5.5 kW M3AL132SMA4 at 3000 rpm (12.6 A nominal, motor efficiency 90.9%, package efficiency 88.4%); 4 kW M3AL112MB4 at 1500 rpm (10.6 A nominal, motor efficiency 88.0%, package efficiency 85.8%). Package values are calculated for the drive and motor together, so treat the table as a selection aid rather than a commitment for other motors.

Decoding the ordering code

The designation breaks down as series ACH580, construction 01 (wall-mounted), size 12A7 and voltage code 4 for 380 to 480 V. ABB lists these additions, among others: +B056 for IP55, +F278 for a main disconnect switch with auxiliary contact, +F316 for the disconnect switch plus a C1 filter and +C135 for flange mounting.

Beyond the built-in protocols, the catalogue pairs plus codes with adapters, for instance POWERLINK via FEPL-02 (+K470), BACnet/IP via FBIP-21 (+K465) and Modbus TCP via FMBT-21 (+K491).

Across the range ABB specifies a DC choke built to IEC 61000-3-12, Safe Torque Off certified to SIL 3 / PL e, an EMC category C2 design for frames R1 to R9, six digital inputs and two analog inputs and two analog outputs and three relay outputs.

Typical HVAC applications for this rating

A drive of this size usually controls the motor of an air handling unit, a cooling tower, a chilled water or condenser water pump, or a booster pump set in a commercial or residential building. In each case the aim is to match motor speed to the actual demand instead of running at full speed and throttling with dampers or valves. Because the ACH580-01-12A7-4 sits at the top of frame R1, it is a compact option for plant rooms where wall space is limited but the motor is still in the mid-power range. ABB also positions the family for basic constant-torque duties such as compressors, which can be useful when a single drive type is preferred across a building’s mechanical equipment.

Selection considerations

Select the drive by motor current rather than by kilowatt rating alone. Compare the motor nameplate current with the nominal and light-duty currents in the table, and allow for the ambient temperature at site, since ABB states its ratings at a defined ambient. Then decide on the enclosure: the standard IP21 build is meant for clean, dry electrical rooms, while the IP55 option is the better choice for plant rooms and rooftop locations exposed to dust and moisture. Consider whether a main disconnect switch is needed on the drive itself, and confirm the supply voltage code against the building network. Where the motor is one of the synchronous reluctance types listed on this page, ABB’s matched-package data is a helpful guide to overall efficiency.

Integration with the building management system

The built-in BACnet MS/TP, Modbus RTU and N2 protocols let the drive connect directly to most building management systems without extra hardware. Through the network the BMS can start and stop the motor, send speed references and read running data such as energy consumption from the kWh counters. Where the BMS uses an Ethernet-based protocol instead, the plus-coded options named above are the route to follow. The digital and analog inputs and relay outputs remain available for local hard-wired signals such as interlocks, run feedback or a pressure or temperature transmitter for closed-loop control.

Site conditions in Oman and the GCC

HVAC plant rooms and rooftops in Oman and across the Gulf can become very hot in summer, and fine dust is common. Mount the drive where cooling air can circulate freely, keep it out of direct sun, and check the room temperature against the ambient on which the ratings are based. In dusty or humid locations the IP55 enclosure gives better protection than the standard build. Commission the drive with the correct motor data, enable the protection functions described on this page, and keep a copy of the final parameter settings with the plant documentation for future maintenance.

Datasheet and ordering notes

The reference for every value above is ABB’s ACH580 HVAC catalogue (document 3AUA0000186691, revision F, 9.14.2019), which you can open from the document link. To request the ACH580-01-12A7-4, give Seven Star LLC the motor data, voltage, enclosure and network requirement; availability and lead time are answered in the quotation.

Before ordering, check the full ordering code with options, the motor current on your network, the ambient conditions at site and whether newer ABB documentation changes any figure.