WEG, a leading global manufacturer of motor and drive technology, has launched a new cost-effective, reliable and easy-to-use series of compact variable speed drives (VSDs) to enhance energy efficiency across a wide range of applications requiring low motor power. Designed to drive motors with power from 180 W to 4 kW, the CFW300 series is ideal for relatively small machinery such as centrifugal and metering pumps, fans and ventilators, stirrers and mixers, extruders, roller conveyors, cutting machines and rotary filters.

“WEG is committed to boosting energy efficiency across a broad range of industrial applications and has launched the CFW300 to meet the needs of those sections of the market where the demand for inverters is growing, even when it comes to relatively small industrial applications,” says Johannes Schwenger, Head of Product Management Low- and Medium-Voltage Drive Systems Europe at WEG. “With the addition of the CFW300 series to our existing range of drives, which include the CFW100 Mini Drives and the CFW500 VSD series, WEG now boasts a comprehensive VSD offering for industrial requirements.”

Easy to use and maintain, the CFW300 features an integrated micro PLC and a user-friendly control panel with LCD display. Installation is also easy and quick thanks to plug-and-play extension modules and the drive unit’s fan can be easily removed for maintenance.

The CFW300 has two slots for extension modules - one for communication and the other for a wide variety of I/O modules.  This enables users to integrate RS485 or RS232 interfaces and use Modbus RTU, Bluetooth or USB communication protocols. The VSD can also be connected to fieldbus systems such as Profibus DP, CANopen or DeviceNet, or configured for operation under remote control. An Ethernet IP interface is also available. As such, it provides increased flexibility and high levels of connectivity to best fit users’ needs.  Other accessories include a plug-in EMC filter, which can be connected to the VSD quickly without tools or wiring and mounted on the top-hat rail.

Designed to operate at ambient temperatures up to 50°C without derating, the CFW300 is equipped with independently acting, integrated thermal protection functions for the motor (electronic motor circuit breaker) and the drive. In addition, the drive has varnished circuit boards (IEC 60721-3-3, category 3C2), for enhanced corrosion resistance, which contributes to longer service life, while an optional flash memory card enables optimal storage and convenient loading of parameter data sets.

The CFW300 will initially be available in frame size A for rated power from 180 W to 1.5 kW and frame size B for rated power from 2.2 to 4 kW. It will provide supply voltage flexibility with versions for single-phase and three-phase power. The single-phase version can also be powered directly from a DC supply connected to the DC link, in order to drive three-phase induction motors from a DC power source.