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SMC™ Flex Smart Motor Controllers

Description of Features

Electronic Motor Overload Protection
The SMC Flex controller incorporates, as standard, electronic motor overload protection. This overload protection is accomplished electronically with an I²t algorithm.
When coordinated with the proper short-circuit protection, overload protection is intended to protect the motor, motor controller, and power wiring against overheating caused by excessive overcurrent. The SMC Flex controller meets applicable requirements as a motor overload protective device.
The controller’s overload protection is programmable, providing the user with flexibility. The overload trip class consists of either OFF, 10, 15, 20, or 30 protection. The trip current is programmed by entering the motor full-load current rating, service factor, and selecting the trip class.
Thermal memory is included to accurately model motor operating temperature. Ambient temperature insensitivity is inherent in the electronic design of the overload.

Stall Protection and Jam Detection
Motors can experience locked-rotor currents and develop high torque levels in the event of a stall or a jam. These conditions can result in winding insulation breakdown or mechanical damage to the connected load. The SMC Flex controller provides both stall protection and jam detection for enhanced motor and system protection. Stall protection allows the user to program a maximum stall protection delay time from 0…10 seconds. The stall protection delay time is in addition to the programmed start time and begins only after the start time has timed out. If the controller senses that the motor is stalled, it will shut down after the delay period has expired. Jam detection allows the user to determine the motor jam detection level as a percentage of the motor’s full-load current rating. To prevent nuisance tripping, a jam detection delay time, from 0.0…99.0 seconds, can be programmed. This allows the user to select the time delay required before the SMC Flex controller will trip on a motor jam condition. The motor current must remain above the jam detection level during the delay time. Jam detection is active only after the motor has reached full speed.

Underload Protection
Utilizing the underload protection of the SMC Flex controller, motor operation can be halted if a drop in current is sensed.
The SMC Flex controller provides an adjustable underload trip setting from 0…99% of the programmed motor full-load current rating with an adjustable trip delay time of 0…99 seconds.

Undervoltage Protection
The SMC Flex controller’s undervoltage protection will halt motor operation if a drop in the incoming line voltage is detected.
The undervoltage trip level is adjustable as a percentage of the programmed line voltage, from 0…99%. To eliminate nuisance trips, a programmable undervoltage trip delay time of 0…99 seconds can also be programmed. The line voltage must remain below the undervoltage trip level during the programmed delay time.

Overvoltage Protection
If a rise in the incoming line voltage is detected, the SMC Flex controller’s overvoltage protection will halt motor operation.
The overvoltage trip level is adjustable as a percentage of the programmed line voltage, from 0…199%. To eliminate nuisance trips, a programmable overvoltage trip delay time of 0…99 seconds can also be programmed. The line voltage must remain above the overvoltage trip level during the programmed delay time.

Voltage Unbalance Protection
Voltage unbalance is detected by monitoring the 3-phase supply voltage magnitudes in conjunction with the rotational relationship of the three phases. The controller will halt motor operation when the calculated voltage unbalance reaches the user-programmed trip level.
The voltage unbalance trip level is programmable from 0…25% unbalance.

Excessive Starts Per Hour
The SMC Flex controller allows the user to program the allowed number of starts per hour (up to 99). This helps eliminate motor stress caused by repeated starting during a short time period.

Metering
Power monitoring parameters include:

Note:The motor thermal capacity usage allows the user to monitor the amount of overload thermal capacity usage before the SMC Flex controller’s built-in electronic overload trips.

Built-in DPI Communication Capabilities
A serial interface port is provided as standard, which allows connection to a Bulletin 20 Human Interface Module and a variety of Bulletin 20-COMM Communication Modules. This includes Allen-Bradley Remote I/O, DeviceNet, ControlNet, Ethernet, ProfiBUS, Interbus, and RS485-DF1.

LCD Display
The SMC Flex controller’s three-line 16-character backlit LCD display provides parameter identification using clear, informative text. Controller set up can be performed quickly and easily without the use of a reference manual. Parameters are arranged in an organized four-level menu structure for ease of programming and fast access to parameters.

Keypad Programming
Programming of parameters is accomplished through a five-button keypad on the front of the SMC Flex controller. The five buttons include up and down arrows, an Enter button, a Select button, and an Escape button. The user needs only to enter the correct sequence of keystrokes for programming the SMC Flex controller.

Auxiliary Contacts
Four fully programmable hard contacts are furnished as standard with the SMC Flex controller:

Aux #1, Aux #2, Aux #3, Aux #4

• N.O./N.C.
  
• Normal/Up-to-Speed/External Bypass/Fault/Alarm/Network
  

Network I/O
The SMC Flex can have up to two inputs and four outputs controlled via a communication network. The output contacts use the auxiliary contacts.

Ground Fault Input
The SMC Flex can monitor for ground fault conditions. An external core balance current transformer is required for this function. See SMC Flex User Manual for additional information.

Tach Input
A motor tachometer is required for the Linear Speed Start mode. Please see the Specifications section on page for tachometer characteristics.

PTC Input
A motor PTC input can be monitored by the SMC Flex. In the event of a fault, the SMC Flex will shut down and indicate a motor PTC fault.