ABB ACH580 HVAC Drive

The ABB ACH580 is built around the needs of HVAC systems rather than being a standard general-purpose drive with a few HVAC functions added later. Fan, pump, air-handling and building automation applications are where this series is most at home.

HVAC communications are already inside the drive

One of the useful points of the ACH580 is its built-in communication support. Native BACnet MS/TP and other HVAC communication protocols reduce the amount of extra hardware normally required in a building automation panel.

Operating data can be read from the drive, commands can be sent, I/O values can be monitored and diagnostic information can be accessed through the automation network. For technicians already familiar with ABB drives, the general operating logic is also quite familiar.

PID control for fans, pumps and HVAC processes

ACH580 includes PID control functions for applications where pressure, flow, temperature or another process value needs to be kept stable. The internal controller can be used directly with fans and pumps, while additional PID loops can be assigned to equipment such as dampers, cooling valves or heating valves.

This is particularly useful in an air-handling unit where the drive is controlling the fan but other parts of the system still need separate regulation.

Bluetooth commissioning

With the appropriate Bluetooth control panel, the drive can be commissioned and monitored from a phone or tablet. Start, stop, parameter checking and fault reset functions can be handled without standing directly in front of the panel for every adjustment.

Made for the air and water sides of HVAC

The ACH580 is used on both sides of a typical HVAC installation: air-handling fans, extract and supply fans, cooling systems, circulation pumps and pressure-controlled pump applications. In practice, this makes it easier to keep one familiar drive platform across different parts of a building.

Harmonics, EMC and enclosure options

Input chokes for reducing harmonics, EMC filtering and enclosure options such as IP21 and IP55 are available within the ACH580 family. These are not minor details on larger HVAC projects, especially where many drives are connected to the same supply.

Note: Harmonic performance always depends on the complete installation. Transformer size, supply impedance, drive loading and other nonlinear loads on the same network must also be considered.

Energy information you can actually use

Fan and pump systems rarely need to run at full speed all day. This is where a variable-speed drive makes the biggest difference. ACH580 can adjust motor speed to the actual demand and also provides energy efficiency information that can be used to follow the performance of the application.

Induction, permanent magnet and SynRM motors

The drive is not limited to standard induction motors. ACH580 can also be used with permanent magnet motors and synchronous reluctance motors, depending on the drive and motor combination.

Traditional AC induction motors are still found in a very large number of HVAC installations and remain a practical match for the ACH580. Where higher efficiency is required, ABB's IE4 SynRM motor combinations are another option.

Permanent magnet motors are particularly interesting where compact motor size and efficient low-speed operation are important. In many applications the ACH580 can operate a PM motor without a separate speed or rotor-position sensor.

IE4 SynRM motor packages are aimed at applications where motor losses, operating temperature and long running hours matter. The correct motor and drive combination still needs to be selected from the actual duty point rather than simply from the motor power.

I/O and site commissioning

The ACH580 provides the normal digital and analog I/O needed around an HVAC drive, with additional flexibility for field signals and building automation integration. I/O status can be checked from the drive menu, which is useful when tracing a sensor, interlock or external command during commissioning.

Control panel and real-time clock

The HVAC control panel can be arranged to show the values that are important for the application instead of filling the screen with unnecessary information. A built-in real-time clock with battery backup is also available for time-based functions.

The Hand-Off-Auto style control panel is especially practical on site. Local operation, automatic mode and the basic status of the drive can be handled directly from the keypad, reducing the need for separate panel switches in suitable applications.

Motor control at partial load

Most HVAC motors spend a large part of their working life below full load. ACH580's motor control and built-in energy optimizer are intended for exactly this type of operation, balancing motor flux and response according to the actual load.

Its communication functions include native BACnet together with other commonly used HVAC protocols. The drive's input choke also contributes to lower harmonic levels across partial-load operation.

ACH580 technical information on OtomasyonAVM

We use and specify the ABB ACH580 mainly in building, HVAC and similar projects where harmonic performance, communication and long operating hours are important. For that reason we have collected the technical material we normally need during selection and commissioning on the related ABB pages.

You can also check our ABB application and commissioning notes, ABB fault codes and ABB price list.

Before selecting a drive, check the motor nameplate current, supply voltage, load type, ambient temperature, enclosure requirement and communication options. On HVAC jobs these details matter more than simply matching the kW value.

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