Invertek Drives Optidrive Eco HVAC Variable Speed Drive

Drive designed for fans, air handling and building services

The Invertek Drives Optidrive Eco HVAC is a variable frequency drive for heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment such as supply and extract fans, air handling units, cooling towers and roof ventilators. The Eco family covers 0.75 to 250 kW (1 to 400 HP) and 200 to 600 V supplies. A low-harmonic design to EN 61000-3-12, an internal EMC filter and the BACnet MS/TP interface built in reduce the extra parts a building services contractor has to add. The HVAC brochure also lists Modbus RTU communication.

The data below is taken from the Invertek Drives Optidrive Eco user guide and the Eco HVAC brochure.

Technical specifications

HVAC features

Fire Mode keeps the fan running during an emergency, overriding normal trips, and is described in the user guide. Belt break detection recognises when the load drops away, which protects ventilation equipment from running without airflow. Sleep and wake logic stops the drive when demand is low and restarts it when needed, and the maintenance timer reminds the operator when service is due. The hand and auto keypad lets commissioning staff test the unit locally.

Efficiency and installation

Fan speed control is one of the quickest ways to reduce energy consumption, because power falls rapidly as speed is reduced. The drive uses film capacitors up to frame size 5. IP20 drives are mounted in cabinets, while IP55 and IP66 versions can be installed near the motor or on a roof. The IP66 outdoor type is designed for exposed locations. A good rule for fan applications is to choose the drive by the motor full-load current and to allow for the cooling air that the enclosure needs, since a drive in a hot plant room will have a reduced current rating. Long motor cables to roof-mounted fans may need an output filter, so give the cable length when enquiring. Environmental limits are the same as the Optidrive P2: IP20 from minus 10 to plus 50 degrees C and IP55 and IP66 up to plus 40 degrees C with derating above.

Key features for building services

• Eco Vector sensorless control for standard induction motors as well as permanent magnet, BLDC and synchronous reluctance motors, so the same drive range can be used when high-efficiency fan motors are specified.
• Low-harmonic design to EN 61000-3-12, which reduces the need for external line chokes in many building installations.
• Internal EMC filter fitted as standard, simplifying installation in commercial buildings with sensitive equipment.
• BACnet MS/TP built in and Modbus RTU, allowing direct connection to a building management system without a separate gateway.
• OLED text display showing parameters and messages in plain text rather than codes.
• Hardware Safe Torque Off input for safe stopping of the motor.
• Film DC link capacitors up to frame size 5, avoiding electrolytic capacitors in the smaller frames.

Choosing the enclosure version

Typical HVAC applications

• Supply and extract fans in air handling units, controlled from duct static pressure or room CO₂.
• Cooling tower fans, where speed follows condenser water temperature.
• Chilled water and condenser water pumps with differential pressure control.
• Car park and kitchen extract fans, where Fire Mode keeps smoke extraction running during an emergency.
• Roof ventilators and fresh air units serving warehouses and commercial buildings.

Considerations for Oman and GCC projects

Cooling loads in the Gulf are high for much of the year, so chillers, cooling towers and AHUs run long hours and the energy saving from speed control is significant. At the same time, plant rooms and rooftops are hot. Because IP55 and IP66 drives derate above plus 40 °C, check the expected summer ambient at the installation point and select a larger frame or improve ventilation and shading where required. Rooftop units in direct sun can run well above the shade air temperature.

Sand and fine dust are common, and the IP55 and IP66 enclosures are a good choice when the drive must sit outside a clean electrical room. For IP20 drives in panels, use filtered ventilation and replace filter mats regularly. In coastal locations with high humidity and salt-laden air, keep panel doors closed, seal cable entries and consider anti-condensation heating for drives that stand idle.

Commissioning and maintenance tips

• Enter motor nameplate data before the first run, and use the hand and auto keypad to check rotation direction locally.
• Set up belt break detection on belt-driven fans so a broken belt raises an alarm instead of leaving the fan running without airflow.
• Configure sleep and wake on pumps and fans that see long periods of low demand.
• Use the maintenance timer to schedule filter, bearing and belt checks.
• Test Fire Mode with the fire alarm contractor during handover and record the settings.
• Keep heatsink fins and cooling fans clear of dust.

What to include in your RFQ

• Supply voltage and phases, and motor power and full-load current
• Motor type (induction, PM, BLDC or synchronous reluctance)
• Enclosure rating and installation location
• BMS protocol (BACnet MS/TP or Modbus RTU)
• Motor cable length and any isolator requirement

Documents and quotation

The attached PDF is the official Invertek Drives Eco user guide. Please send the supply voltage, motor power, enclosure rating and communication protocol when requesting a quotation. Other drives are listed in AC Drives, for example the ABB ACS580.