Abb ACS310 frequence drives

Abb ACS310

ABB ACS310 Pump and Fan Drive

ABB ACS310

ABB ACS310 is mainly intended for variable-torque applications such as booster pumps and centrifugal fans. It is a compact drive, but a lot of the functions normally needed around pump and fan systems are already built into it.

For this reason the ACS310 is often more useful in water, ventilation and similar applications than a basic general-purpose drive.

PID and pump/fan control

Built-in PID control lets the drive change motor speed according to pressure, flow or another process value. This is especially useful where a pump has to maintain a fixed pressure instead of simply running at one speed.

The drive also includes PFC – Pump and Fan Control. In systems with several pumps or fans, PFC can be used to bring auxiliary motors in and out according to demand.

Pump cleaning function

One of the more practical ACS310 functions is the built-in pump cleaning sequence. The drive can run the pump through a forward and reverse sequence to help clear material from the impeller.

This can be useful in wastewater and other applications where solids or deposits may cause the pump to clog over time.

Energy savings in pump applications

When a pump or fan does not need full flow, reducing motor speed is usually far more efficient than controlling the process mechanically. ABB documentation for the ACS310 refers to significant energy savings compared with direct-on-line systems using mechanical flow control.

The actual saving depends on the system curve, operating time and load profile, so it should not be treated as one fixed percentage for every installation.

Built-in counters can also show saved energy in kWh, estimated CO₂ reduction and a monetary value. That makes it easier to see whether the drive is actually saving anything in the real application.

Compact design and embedded Modbus

The compact dimensions of the ACS310 help when cabinet space is limited. An embedded Modbus interface is also available for system monitoring and communication.

This allows the drive to be connected to a compatible PLC or supervisory system without adding a separate fieldbus device for basic Modbus communication.

Pre-programmed application macros and commissioning assistants also make initial setup easier, particularly on standard pump and fan jobs.

Booster pump systems

A booster system is expected to maintain water pressure while the demand changes throughout the day. This is exactly the type of job where the ACS310's PID and PFC functions are useful.

Where several parallel pumps are installed, the drive can regulate the main pump while auxiliary pumps are added or removed as required. The PID controller then adjusts the output to keep the process close to the required pressure setpoint.

In other words, the drive is not just changing motor speed; it is trying to keep the whole system at the pressure the application actually needs.

Sleep and boost functions

Running a pump at a very low speed for long periods is not always useful. The ACS310 can detect low-demand conditions and use its sleep function to stop the pump when appropriate.

The system pressure continues to be monitored, and pumping starts again when the pressure drops below the defined level.

Irrigation and real-time clock

Agricultural irrigation, horticulture and golf-course watering systems often have very different demand at different times of day. The built-in real-time clock can be used for scheduled start and stop times according to the daily operating profile.

The soft pipe filling function is another useful feature in pumping systems. Instead of building up flow and pressure suddenly, the line can be filled more gradually, reducing stress on the pipework and pumping system.

Tank level control

ACS310 can also be used where storage tanks have to be filled or emptied according to level. Signal supervision and pipe-cleaning functions are useful in systems handling process water or wastewater.

In these installations space is often limited, so the compact drive size is not just a catalogue feature; it can make the retrofit much easier.

Wood drying kilns

The ACS310 is not limited to pump applications. It also works well with centrifugal fans in ventilation systems such as wood drying kilns.

At the beginning of the drying process the relative humidity is high, so more airflow is needed. As the wood dries, the airflow demand falls. With PFC control, auxiliary fans can be switched out as demand drops, reducing unnecessary running time and energy use.

Control panel options

The ACS310 can be used with different control panel options depending on how much local access is required.

Basic control panel

The basic panel uses a simple numeric display and can be used for normal drive control and parameter adjustment. It is suitable where only the essential settings are needed on site.

Assistant control panel

The assistant panel provides an alphanumeric display, multiple languages, commissioning assistants and built-in help. It also includes a real-time clock that can add time and date information to fault records.

Parameters can be backed up on the panel and transferred to another drive. On a site with several similar ACS310 units, that is a simple feature but a very useful one.

Panel mounting kits

Where the keypad needs to be mounted on the outside of a larger enclosure, panel mounting kits are available.

ACS/H-CP-EXT provides a straightforward mounting solution, while OPMP-01 uses a panel platform that allows the keypad to be fitted and removed in a similar way to the panel mounted directly on the drive.

ABB ACS310 manuals and technical information

ACS310 has more pump-specific functions than its simple appearance suggests. If you are going to use PFC, PID, sleep mode, pump cleaning or the timer functions, it is worth checking the relevant manual rather than trying to set everything from memory.

We keep the available ACS310 user manuals, commissioning information, electrical data and application material on the related ABB pages.

- ABB commissioning and application notes

- ABB fault codes

- Brake resistor information

- ABB price list

- ABB Drives Main Page

- VFD Main Page