Drives Service & Support > Legacy > 161 > FAQ

1. What is the recommended motor cable for the 161? I cannot find the recommendations in the manual.
2. Will we offer a 161 as a configured product?
3. Can the 161 be used to replace existing 160 applications?
4. Will AB offer the 460V version of this product as well?
5. Why is the new product release a Series B drive?
6. What’s the difference between the “U” version and the “K” version drive and can one be used in place of the other?
7. Can the RS-422 port of the 161 be used with DriveExplorer software?
8. What purpose does the RS-422 port serve?
9. Parameters C70 through C72 refer to RS485 communications. How do I achieve RS485 communications?
10. Will we offer a DeviceNet option for this drive?
11. Will we offer CE line filters for this product?
12. How do I run two drives from one speed control source?
13. How do I get the 161 drive running right out of the box?
14. 5HP 161 Single Phase Operation and Derating

1.
Q? What is the recommended motor cable for the 161? I cannot find the recommendations in the manual.
A! The recommended motor cable for the 161 is the same as specified in the B160 user manual (page 2-6, table 2.D in publication 160-5.15). This was inadvertently left out of the first release of the 161 user manual, and will be added when the manual is updated.

2.
Q? Will we offer a 161 as a configured product ?
A! Not at this time. There is no chassis mount version therefore any configured package will be a “drive in a box” which will be much larger than a 160 configured product. Custom quote opportunities will require commercial justification.

3.
Q? Can the 161 be used to replace existing 160 applications?
A! Not in all circumstances. See the chart titled “161 vs. 160 Application/ Installation Considerations” for issues that should be considered before replacing a 160 with a 161 or recommending one vs. the other for a given application. It is important to remember that the 161 is intended to go after new market opportunities targeted specifically at the OEM market. Some of the features that the 161 has that the 160 doesn’t that will help obtain this new business are: 15 preset speeds, PID control, analog output, two transistor outputs, 16kHz carrier frequency, built in speed pot on the programmer, 115V single phase input version, jog function from the terminal block, MOP function from the terminal block, three skip frequencies, fully programmable I/ O and 24Vdc control inputs. See the file “161 Top SIC codes.doc” for a sampling of the target markets for the 161.

4.
Q? Will AB offer the 460V version of this product as well?
A! No. We feel the 160 is a much better product from a cost vs. performance standpoint.

5.
Q? Why is the new product release a Series B drive?
A! Europe release the 161 in February, 1999 as a single phase only product (Series A version). The new 161 Series B product will have single and three phase ratings in the same unit. In addition, the Series B version has a firmware enhancement that includes three wire control and some minor changes to the factory default settings. A separate technical note will be created that identifies these differences in detail, but it is safe to assume, the Series B unit will be backward compatible with Series A.

6.
Q? What’s the difference between the “U” version and the “K” version drive and can one be used in place of the other?
A! The “U” version will have 60Hz factory default settings. This will be the only version we stock and sell in the USA. The “K” version has 50Hz default settings and will be the only version we stock and sell in Europe. Either version can be used as the replacement part for the other. Parameter 85 is used to reset the factory defaults to the “U” or “K” default settings. GTS will be provided with a note to be entered into their business system alerting them that a “U” version product can be replaced with a “K” version product and vice versa.

7.
Q? Can the RS- 422 port of the 161 be used with DriveExplorer software?
A! Since the 161 is not a ScanPort device the standard DriveExplorer software package is not compatible with the 161. We are investigating the development of a special version of DriveExplorer that will work with the RS- 422 protocol, but the feasibility and funding for this project has not been completed at this time.

8.
Q? What purpose does the RS- 422 port serve?
A! It can be used with a remote mounted keypad option that we will offer in the Spring of FY’00. In addition, we can provide a generic RS- 422 protocol document if an OEM has an application where they want to interface to the drive via the RS- 422 port.

9.
Q? Parameters C70 through C72 refer to RS485 communications. How do I achieve RS485 communications?
A! RS- 485 communications requires a separate module (still under development) that plug into the RS- 422 port. Our plan is to make this option available on an as requested basis. Similar to the RS- 422 port, we will provide a generic protocol document for RS485. The pricing for the RS- 485 adapter has yet to be determined.

10.
Q? Will we offer a DeviceNet option for this drive?
A! We are not planning to offer a dedicated DeviceNet drive.

11.
Q? Will we offer CE line filters for this product?
A! We do offer a single phase filter for 161 product currently being sold in Europe, but we do have these set up on PassPort or in stock at the CDC at this time. We do not have any three phase filters at this time. Check the 161 web site for future updates on the status of our line filter offering or call Paul McCabe at 262-512-2259 for information.

12.
Q? How do I run two drives from one speed control source?
A! Although the 161 does have an analog output, this is not a DC level, but rather a PWM type of output. This signal will not work as an analog input to a 161 unless it is filtered. It is only intended for a meter display. Therefore the master/slave control setup is not an option. Two 161 drives can share one remote pot for speed reference. This should be wired as shown on page 2-19 of the Series C, B160 user manual. With this wire configuration, the power for the pot is supplied by one of the two drives (terminal H on the 161). Then the wiper (terminal O on the 161) and common (terminal L on the 161) of the two drives are tied in parallel. To set the scaling of drive/motor #2 for 20-50Hz, set parameter A11 (Analog Frequency Minimum) to 20Hz and parameter A12 (Analog Frequency Maximum) to 50Hz.

13.
Q? How do I get the 161 drive running right out of the box?
A!

1. Configure the Frequency Command Select to use the local potentiometer on the keypad. To do this, program parameter A01 to a setting of 00 (you will notice the green LED just above the local potentiometer illuminate).
2. Configure the Start Command Select to use the local (green) start key on the keypad. To do this, program parameter A02 to a setting of 02 (you will notice the green LED just above the keypad start key illuminate).
3. Satisfy the stop input. The drive, by default, is configured for a three wire (active open) stop on digital input 3. To satisfy the stop input, place a jumper (or closed contact) from the P24 control terminal to the 3 control terminal. NOTE: THE DRIVE WILL NOT RUN IF THIS INPUT IS NOT SATISFIED. An alternative method to the stop input jumper would be to reprogram the digital input parameters (C01 through C15) for a different configuration.

14.
Q? 5HP 161 Single Phase Operation and Derating
A! The 5Hp B161 drive (A15) can be used with 230V single phase supply power with a 30% derate. The output rated current with this configuration would be 11.1A.