The ECOsine® Active FN3420 from Schaffner EMC is an active harmonic filter (AHF) which provides harmonic compensation in real-time for demanding industrial and commercial environments. It is suitable for new installations and retrofits in food and beverage processing and other manufacturing environments with nonlinear loads, such as variable frequency-motor drives, AC motors, DC drives, Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), chillers and other HVAC equipment, data centers, and banking/heavy computing.
ECOsine Active FN3420 safeguards sensitive electrical equipment from harmful harmonics with a capacity of 30 amps to 300 amps. This equipment uses digital technology to monitor and dynamically correct harmonics up to the 50th order in less than 300µs, eliminating disturbances before they can cause problems. ECOsine Active Filters compensate for individual disturbance patterns in a targeted manner and automatically adapt to changing network loads.
The ECOsine active harmonic filter functionality can be compared to waves in the ocean: If two waves of the same height and intensity meet, they cancel each other out. The same principle can be applied to power networks. The AHF analyzes network disturbances and provides an opposing compensation current. In doing so, ECOsine actively adapts to fluctuations and responds in less than half a millisecond. Its compact dimensions, simple installation, and digital intelligence allow for quick and straightforward integration in diverse applications.
The ECOsine Active FN3420 operates at 200VAC to 480VAC (+/- 10%). The connection-ready, three-wire cabinet models include forced air cooling and internal liquid cooling (200-300A) for the power electronics. A panel mount (30A, 50A, 100A) and freestanding enclosure design and IP54 (NEMA 12 indoor) protection ensure fast and easy servicing, and a designed service life of up to 100,000 hours ensures long service intervals.
Up to five ECOsine Active FN3420 units can be installed in parallel to attain optimal results, for a maximum of 1500A harmonic compensation. Filters also provide reactive current support and load balancing. Other configurations are offered in NEMA 1 and NEMA 3R packages, up to 400A, as well as 600/690vac.
Harmonics are generated by nonlinear components in electrical systems, which distort the sine wave. Increasing usage of power electronics causes a corresponding increase in voltage distortion, or harmonics. Electrical components like, variable frequency drives, UPS’, and inverters, all introduce harmonics of differing orders into the electrical system. When harmonics are present they can manifest themselves with short-term and long-term consequences. High harmonic distortion can cause failures or malfunctions of electrical devices. Harmonics also cause a temperature rise in the electrical network and in equipment, resulting in losses and shorter service life. An active harmonic filter, like the ECOsine Active 200/250/300A, cancels and injects current to correct the sine wave, before the harmonics can cause any damage to the electrical system or equipment.
