n TECHNOLOGY July/August 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com 18 ABB HAS ANNOUNCED A variable-speed motor that combines an high-efficiency permanent magnet motor with a VSD (variable-speed drive) in a compact, customisable, plug-and-play package that allows users to cut energy consumption and reduce their carbon emissions. The IE5-efficiency LV Titanium Variable Speed Motor can be used as a drop-in replacement for existing, inefficient DOL (directonline) induction motors, offering an easy upgrade to a VSD-driven motor with a rapid payback. Thanks to its compact design and high power density, the variable-speed motor is at least two frame sizes smaller than comparable induction motors, making it ideal for installations where space is at a premium. The package is not simply a drive bolted onto a motor. ABB has engineered it as an integrated assembly, with a drive module purpose-designed for optimal performance, combined with a highefficiency motor. The axial drive is mounted on the end of the motor, saving space and making the motor ideal for applications such as vertical pumps. The customisable motor can be tailored to suit pump, compressor and other industrial applications with power ratings from 1.5–30kW, and nominal speeds from 1,500–4,500 rpm. It can operate over a wide range of speed and torque requirements, and deliver high torque at low speeds. It is said to operate quietly. The plug-and-play capability means that the motor needs no on-site commissioning – the motor and drive are set up to work together before leaving the factory. This, combined with the reduced need for cabling, makes installation quick and simple, with low set-up costs and a reduced need for materials. There is no need for cabinets, electrical rooms, or specially trained installation personnel. The motors can be fitted by one person. ABB says that comparing the variable-speed motor with a conventional fixed-speed motor in a 7.5kW centrifugal pumping application, the annual electricity savings will be more than €4,000, based on a typical energy cost in Europe of €0.21/kWh. At the same time, there will be an annual reduction of six tonnes in CO2 emissions, based on the average European carbon intensity factor of 0.3kg CO2/kWh. “We developed the LV Titanium in collaboration with customers who asked us to help them achieve energy savings and reduced carbon emissions without installation complexity,” says Stefan Floeck, president of ABB’s IEC Low Voltage Motors division. “This variablespeed motor delivers just that – advanced performance in a compact, user-friendly and speed-controlled motor package that draws on our decades of application expertise.” The integrated motor has an intuitive control panel with a simple built-in PLC. It offers analogue and digital I/Os (inputs and outputs), and supports the Modbus RTU communications protocol for easy integration with PLCs and other devices. The LV Titanium variable-speed motor is currently available in sizes from 1.5kW, and will be expanded later to cover applications up to 30kW. In addition to being available in off-the-shelf versions, the motor can be customised to meet specific customer requirements. https://new.abb.com/motors-generators A US SPECIALIST IN AI-driven condition monitoring, Waites Sensor Technologies, has announced a technology that enhances machine health monitoring by sending sensor data to the cloud for processing, display and alerting – without having to overhaul existing sensor infrastructures. Waites’ Universal Adapter suite allows users to connect almost any off-the-shelf industrial sensor – including those with 0–5V, 0– 10V or 4–20mA outputs, as well as current transformers and RTDs – directly to one of the company’s nodes. This transmits the sensor data simply and reliably to the cloud, where it can be analysed using Waites’ own AI software, or be integrated with other systems for further processing. Factories have previously faced limitations when trying to unify a variety of sensors that use different platforms. The new suite is claimed to eliminate these constraints, offering wide compatibility, and reducing the need for custom wiring or specialised devices. The result is lower deployment costs, increased system flexibility, and faster access to operational data. “For years, industrial operations and facilities have struggled with incomplete sensor systems, requiring costly workarounds to access critical data. Waites’Universal Adapter suite removes those barriers,”says the company’s co-founder and CEO, Rob Ratterman.“It reflects our commitment to unlocking actionable insights from any sensor, on any platform, as simply and reliably as possible. This launch is a major step forward in manufacturing intelligence, ease, and efficiency.” Waites has recently established a subsidiary in Poland, from which it is selling directly to end-users in the UK and Europe. https://waites.net Adaptors link existing sensors to the cloud, simplifying access to data Plug-and-play IE5 motor-drive replaces DOL motors directly ABB’s LV Titanium motor-drive reduces energy consumption and saves money by delivering IE5 efficiency
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