ANACON SYSTEMS INTRODUCES
NEW DigiDrive™ II MODULAR MOTOR CONTROLLERS
FOR SINGLE-PHASE AC INDUCTION MOTORS

Modular Architecture Provides OEM Design Engineers a Flexible Platform to Create Customized, Variable Speed, Single-Phase Motor Control

The availability of this newly introduced Anacon motor controller is expected to reduce OEM's time-to-market with off-the-shelf, agency approved building block solutions in variable speed fan, pump and compressor applications.  These modular assembled controllers are uniquely designed by Anacon Systems to provide both hardware and firmware application-specific solutions that will appeal to designers of small, medium, and large OEMs.    

The DigiDrive II series of motor controllers are a low-cost, modular set of drive electronics that easily connect to supply single-phase motor drive solutions for applications such as fans, pumps and compressors.  Three subsystems make up the hardware "architecture" to interconnect to create a full motor control. The Power Drive Board (PDB) contains the power electronics, drive circuitry and basic drive controls. The Power Interface (PINT) connects the motor and AC line to the power drive board (PDB). It contains all the filter and energy storage elements to meet stringent agency approval standards for noise and safety. The Control Interface (COIN) provides customer specific control settings, interface communication ports and flexibility in control settings and interconnect system. Combining two or three of these modules creates a family of controllers aimed at meeting the needs of single-phase systems.

 "The combination of our flexible firmware system with a modular hardware platform allow low cost controllers that are both agency approved and custom; dramatically reducing time-to-market for new applications," said Zahid Ansari, Chief Technology Officer of Anacon Systems.

"We expect the resulting ease of design-in, improved performance and low cost will significantly increase the appeal to adapting single-phase motors for variable speed fan, pump, and compressor applications."

Applications

A few industries are already utilizing or currently developing variable speed motor control applications, including:

• Residential and commercial HVAC, such as air distribution blowers and ventilation fans;
• Appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and range hoods; pumps, compressors, and fans; Health and medical equipment, such as exercise tread mills and stair climbers;
• Aerospace, such as fluid pumps, air ventilation or actuators; and
• Cleanroom HEPA and ULPA air delivery systems