178B1396
by Danfoss
The 178B1396 is a decentralized variable-speed drive from Danfoss that belongs to the FCD 300 Micro Drives series. Mounted close to the motor, this unit provides local speed control for conveyors, mixers, and other material-handling equipment on processing lines. By integrating power electronics and fieldbus communication into a single housing, the drive reduces cabinet wiring and simplifies installation in distributed automation architectures.
For harsh plant environments, the housing carries an enclosure rating of IP66, sealing the electronics against dust ingress and high-pressure water jets. The drive accepts a three-phase supply of 3x380-480 V, and its inverter section delivers a continuous mechanical output of 0.55 kW. When the application requires networked control, an integrated interface operates at Profibus DP V0/V1 3 Mbaud, allowing parameter access and diagnostic exchange with PLCs. Electromagnetic emissions are limited by a built-in RFI stage that includes a 1 A integral filter, which aids compliance with industrial EMC limits. Together these features allow the micro drive to be installed directly on process equipment without additional shields or network converters.
Mechanical output is also referenced as 0.75 HP, a figure that assists maintenance staff when replacing legacy motor controllers specified in horsepower units. The extended hardware option, identified as Extended (24 V ext.), provides an auxiliary low-voltage supply that keeps control circuits active during mains isolation. Connections enter through a wall-mount box, metric thread terminal system, supporting standard metric cable glands suited to wash-down zones. The drive ships with a display connector for quick parameter viewing, and its coating is the manufacturer’s standard formulation for indoor atmospheres. Because the firmware is tuned for a Processing Application, default parameter sets favor constant-torque loads found on pumps, agitators, and blending machines, minimizing commissioning time while ensuring stable speed regulation.
