Category: TMEIC

kilowatts and kVARs

What is a kilowatt?  kW is the accepted measure of the real energy consumed by any process.  It is the product of volts and the

part of the total amps flowing that does real work, divided by 1000.  This current is called “real” current, and flows in phase

with the voltage.  This includes the “work” that produces heat in the cables and power delivery gear.

Describing “What is a kVAR?” is a little more difficult.  A kVAR is the accepted measure of reactive power, equal to the product

of the volts and the part of the current that is “reactive” divided by 1000.  Reactive current is the current that flows out of

phase with the supply voltage.  Reactive current supplying motors lags in time behind the voltage and the real current, as in A

below.  Reactive current that supplies capacitors leads in time ahead of the voltage and the real current, as in B below.  Lagging

reactive current magnetizes motors and transformers.

The real power (kW) and the reactive power (kVAR) are related like the legs of a right triangle as in the figure at the above

right. Each of the sides is shown as an arrow, called vectors. Since they are at right angles, they cannot simply be added together.

The longer vector (kVA) represents the total current (amperes) and the load on the system. The ratio [kW / kVA] of real power

(kW) to apparent Power (kVA) is called the power factor (pf).  The angle shown as A is the power factor angle.  If all kVAR were

eliminated, the apparent power (kVA) and real power (kW) would be equal and the power factor would be unit or 1.00.

Let’s focus on the TMdrive-MVe2’s Exceptional by Design™ feature:  Built-in Reactive Power Control

All Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) provide motor speed control (with potential energy savings and improved process control),

and some degree of motor protection.  Voltage-source VFDs (typically with diode rectifiers and capacitor DC link) isolate the

poor power factor of their connected motors from the utility.  For example, a motor with a power factor of .82 lagging would

have its power needs met by the output of the VFD, while the input reflects a much improved power factor of (typical) 0.95

lagging.

TMEIC’s TMdrive-MVe2 VFD input converter is configured with a unique “Active Front End” that uses active switches in place of

diode rectifiers.  This allows the converter of the VFD to hold unity power factor at its input terminals.  But the TMdrive-MVe2

and control goes beyond that and can actually correct the system Power Factor demands of other nearby utility loads without

adding capacitors.

Utility Plant Power

Typical Industrial loads such as shown in the one-line below consist of motors for plant processes, special equipment unique

to the facility, and other loads such as plant lighting and HVAC.  In AC systems, the current that flows is divided into two

components, real power measured in kiloWatts (kW) and reactive power measured in kilovars (kVARs).  Both types of power

draw current (amperes) from power delivery equipment such as transformers, cable, and switchgear.  Current flow results in

voltage drop, heating and wasted energy.

Exceptional by Design™

Built-in Reliability and Performance

What makes the TMdrive-MVe2 Exceptional by Design™?

• Very High Reliability – 15 year MTBF

• Simple design

• Clean power to the utility system & motor

• Built-in Reactive Power Control

• Minimal spare parts

• Long-life film capacitors

• 24 hour x 365 day live support in North America

• Remote Connectivity troubleshooting built-in

The real power (kW) and the reactive power (kVAR) are related like the legs of a right triangle as in the figure at the above

right. Each of the sides is shown as an arrow, called vectors. Since they are at right angles, they cannot simply be added together.

The longer vector (kVA) represents the total current (amperes) and the load on the system. The ratio [kW / kVA] of real power

(kW) to apparent Power (kVA) is called the power factor (pf).  The angle shown as A is the power factor angle.  If all kVAR were

eliminated, the apparent power (kVA) and real power (kW) would be equal and the power factor would be unit or 1.00.

nv Series Controller

The nv Series Controller combines high-speed performance, integrated I/O,

and a unified hardware-software platform to deliver reliable, secure automation

for both process and factory environments.

Unified Control with High-Speed, High-Reliability Performance

The nv Series Controller streamlines automation by integrating multiple controller

types into a single, high-performance platform featuring a common I/O system.

With TC-net I/O and high-speed serial communication, it supports duplex loop

configurations at 100 Mbps, delivering exceptional reliability and fast response

times. Its unified hardware design and optimized software ensure robust operation,

compact installation, and secure control across process and factory automation

environments.

Features and Benefits

• Design Feature

• High speed and high reliability.

• Common platform and software optimized by control field.

• High-speed serial I/O system, TC-net I/O.

Customer Benefit

• Integrated I/O with TC-net I/O results in compact field I/O systems.

• The unified design of hardware improves design quality, while optimized software

assures high reliability and security.

• High-speed serial I/O system and TC-net I/O is the first field I/O system that permits

duplex loop configuration at a transmission rate of 100 Mbps.

Specifications of TMdrive-30 and TMdrive-P30

Features

(1) High performance and high reliability

Use of a large capacity IGBT improves the reliability, reduces the switching loss, and improves the control

performance. The control circuit uses a newly developed power electronics equipment control processor

PP7 and an eight-layered surface mounting circuit board, ensuring high component integration and high

reliability.

(2) Highly precise speed control (TMdrive-30)

Use of totally digital and vector control ensures highly precise speed control and high speed response.

(ωc = 60 rad/s, ωc = 20 rad/s for speed sensor-less control)

(3) Transient response and stability

Use of totally digital and vector control makes it possible to ensure stable operation characteristics

including the transient status.

(4) Quadrantal operation (TMdrive-30)

Quadrantal operation, normal, reverse, power running, and regenerative operations are made smoothly.

(Note: This feature applies only when the reverse-parallel thyristor converter (TMdrive-T30) or IGBT

converter (TMdrive-P30) is used.)

(5) Supporting various speed sensors (TMdrive-30)

Drives a squirrel-cage induction motor. A pulse generator or high-resolution brushless resolver can be

used as a speed detector installed in the motor. Speed sensor-less vector control is also possible.

○ Interfaces

For the connections with external equipment, read “3 Interface”.

○ Concept of control

To know how this equipment performs variable speed control over motors, read “5 Operation”.

○ Startup and operation of equipment

For the procedure for preparations before starting the equipment and how to operate the equipment

independently on an experimental basis or how to check the operation status during line operation, read “1.4

Operation”.

○ Maintenance

For the inspection points to keep the equipment in optimal conditions and cautions on handling internal parts,

read “6 Usage Notes”.

○ Fault and recovery

For action to be taken in the case of any fault in the equipment, read “8 Fault and Recovery”.

○ Spare parts

For spare parts for emergency replacement, read “6.5 Recommended Spare Parts”.

TMdrive-30 is a totally digital- and vector-controlled sine wave PWM inverter that performs highly precise and

efficient variable speed control of AC motors with a small to medium capacity. Also, TMdrive-P30 is an IGBT

converter that receives the AC power supply and converts it into the DC power for the IGBT inverter. This

equipment is power supply system-friendly because it controls the input current as sin wave. Before starting

operation of this equipment, thoroughly read this instruction manual to fully understand its contents.

This manual consists of the specifications of the equipment, names of blocks, concept of control, startup and

operation of the equipment, fault and recovery, maintenance points, and describes maintenance and operation

after the installation of the equipment.

Model: KPAD-3122A (commonly associated part number: A3XAP02)

Brand: TMEIC (Toshiba Mitsubishi Electric Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.,

a joint venture between Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric)

Series: TMdrive series AC drive dedicated operation panel

Core function: Integrated LCD display screen and keypad, used for

parameter setting, status monitoring, and fault diagnosis of frequency

converters and servo drives

Product Type: Industrial Drive Operation Panel/Remote Keypad

Key specifications: LCD display | Built in communication interface |

Supports panel installation or cabinet door embedded installation |

Protection level IP65 (front panel)

TMEIC KPAD-3122A is a dedicated remote control panel designed by 

Toshiba Mitsubishi Electric (TMEIC) for its high-performance TMdrive

series AC drives. It is not just a simple display, but also a window for

engineers to deeply interact with drivers. Through this panel, users can

view key data such as motor operating frequency, current, voltage,

and torque in real-time, quickly locate fault codes such as overcurrent,

overvoltage, and overheating, and modify hundreds of driver parameters

online to optimize equipment performance. The biggest advantage of

KPAD-3122A is its flexible installation method. It can be led out from the

driver body through a dedicated extension cable and installed on the control

cabinet door or operation console, greatly facilitating on-site debugging and

daily operation. Especially when the driver is installed at high altitude, deep

or in harsh environments (such as high temperature and high dust areas),

the remote panel can significantly improve work efficiency and safety.

Its sturdy design and IP65 protection level ensure long-term stable operation

in harsh industrial environments. For older devices using TMdrive-MVe2 or Je2

series, KPAD-3122A is often a scarce spare part after the original factory has

stopped production, which is crucial for maintaining continuous operation of

the production line.