B&R ACOPOSinverter Base Device 8I76T400037.00-000 The Compact and Power Stage for Your Industrial Automation Projects

Comprehensive Technical Overview: B&R ACOPOSinverter Base Device 8I76T400037.00-000

The B&R 8I76T400037.00-000 represents a fundamental building block within B&R Industrial Automation's high-performance drive ecosystem. Designed specifically as the Base Device for the ACOPOSinverter P76 and P74 series, this compact yet powerful unit provides the essential power stage, control interface, and critical auxiliary functions for creating sophisticated servo and inverter drive solutions. Targeting applications demanding precision, dynamic response, and seamless integration within the B&R Automation Studio environment, this module is engineered for industrial robustness and efficiency.

Core Functionality and Role:
This device serves as the indispensable power core for the ACOPOSinverter P76 (single-axis) and P74 (multi-axis) drive units. It is not a standalone drive. Instead, it houses the power electronics (IGBT inverter bridge), essential filtering, protection circuitry, and physical interfaces. The actual drive intelligence and control algorithms reside on the separate ACOPOSinverter Control Module (e.g., 8AC120.60-1) that mounts directly onto this base device. This modular architecture offers significant flexibility, allowing users to select the appropriate control module performance level (P74/P76) and features for their specific axis requirements while utilizing a standardized, high-quality power stage.

Key Technical Specifications and Features:

• Input Power: Designed for global industrial three-phase mains supplies, accepting 3 x 380 V AC to 500 V AC (+10% / -15% tolerance). This covers common voltages like 400V and 480V.

• Output Power: Rated for motors up to 0.37 kW (370 Watts) continuous output power. This makes it suitable for smaller servo motors, fractional horsepower applications, or auxiliary axes.

• Integrated EMC Filter: A crucial feature for electromagnetic compatibility. The built-in Class A EMC filter significantly suppresses conducted emissions generated by the high-frequency switching of the inverter. This simplifies system design, reduces cabinet space, ensures compliance with EMC standards (like EN 61800-3), and minimizes interference with sensitive nearby equipment without requiring bulky external filters.

• Integrated Brake Chopper: Essential for dynamic applications involving frequent deceleration or overhauling loads (where the motor acts as a generator). The built-in brake chopper safely dissipates the regenerated energy (that cannot be fed back to the mains or absorbed by other drives on the DC link) through an external braking resistor. This protects the drive's DC link capacitors from dangerous overvoltage conditions.

• Shield Plate Included: The delivery includes a shield plate (grounding plate). This plate provides a secure, low-impedance connection point for the cable shielding (motor cables, encoder cables). Proper grounding of shields at the drive end is critical for maximizing noise immunity, ensuring signal integrity (especially for sensitive feedback devices), and maintaining overall system EMC performance.

• DC Link Connection: Features terminals for connecting the external braking resistor activated by the integrated chopper. Also provides the DC Link connection point, enabling the creation of a Common DC Bus system when multiple ACOPOSinverter drives are used. In a common DC bus, regenerated energy from one axis can be used by motoring axes elsewhere on the bus, significantly improving overall energy efficiency.

• Motor Connections: Provides robust, screw-type terminals for connecting the three-phase motor leads (U, V, W) and the critical Protective Earth (PE) connection.

• Safety: While the base device itself provides basic protection (overcurrent, overvoltage, overtemperature via internal sensors), comprehensive safety functions (Safe Torque Off - STO, Safe Stop 1 - SS1, etc.) are implemented by the associated ACOPOSinverter control module (P74/P76) and configured within Automation Studio.

• Control Interface: The physical interface for mounting the P74 or P76 control module is integrated, ensuring seamless communication between the power stage and the intelligence module. This includes power supply connections and high-speed data links.

• Cooling: Designed for natural convection cooling (conduction-cooled design). Heat is dissipated primarily through the metal housing mounted onto a heatsink surface (e.g., a mounting plate or cabinet backplane). Adequate thermal design of the mounting surface is essential for optimal performance and longevity.

• Communication & Integration: Ultimate communication capabilities (Ethernet POWERLINK, OPC UA, etc.) and higher-level control functions are provided by the attached P74/P76 control module. The base device integrates fully into the B&R ecosystem via the control module and Automation Studio, B&R's unified engineering environment for configuration, programming, diagnostics, and commissioning.

Detailed Technical Specifications Table

Hardware Design and Integration:
The 8I76T400037.00-000 boasts a compact and robust metal housing optimized for efficient heat dissipation via its base plate. Installation involves securely mounting the base device onto a flat, thermally conductive surface within the control cabinet using the provided mounting points. The included shield plate is mounted adjacent to the power terminals. Motor, mains input, DC link/brake resistor, and grounding connections are made via clearly labeled screw terminals. The ACOPOSinverter P74 or P76 control module then plugs directly onto the top of the base device, forming a complete drive unit. This plug-and-play mechanical and electrical interface ensures reliable operation.

Software Integration and Configuration:
Configuration and commissioning are streamlined within B&R's Automation Studio. The engineer selects the appropriate ACOPOSinverter P74 or P76 module in the hardware configuration tree. Automation Studio automatically recognizes the connected base device model (like 8I76T400037.00-000). Key parameters set within the software include:

• Motor Configuration: Precise entry of motor parameters (type, nominal current, voltage, poles, thermal model) for optimal control.

• Controller Tuning: Adjusting velocity, position, and current loop gains for the desired dynamic response and stability.

• Function Blocks: Utilizing pre-tested PLCopen function blocks for motion control tasks (positioning, gearing, camming).

• EMC Settings: Fine-tuning filter settings if needed.

• Brake Resistor Configuration: Setting parameters for the connected external braking resistor.

• Safety Configuration: Programming and validating safety functions (STO, SS1) if the control module supports them.

• Diagnostics: Comprehensive real-time monitoring of temperatures, currents, voltages, status bits, and error messages.

Application Areas:
This 0.37 kW base device is ideal for applications requiring high precision, dynamic response, and seamless integration in compact systems:

• Small Servo Axes: Precision positioning stages, rotary tables, small robotic joints (e.g., gripper rotation, small delta robots), laser cutting heads.

• Auxiliary Drives: Conveyors in packaging machines, small feeder mechanisms, agitators, valve actuators.

• Pumps & Fans: Energy-efficient control of small centrifugal pumps or cooling fans where variable speed offers benefits.

• Lab & Test Automation: Precise control in analytical instruments, sample handling systems.

• Packaging Machinery: Small format fillers, labelers, cappers where space is premium.

• Textile Machinery: Guides, tensioners, small winders.

Advantages and Value Proposition:

• Seamless B&R Integration: Tight coupling within the ACOPOS ecosystem and Automation Studio ensures maximum performance, simplified engineering, and reduced commissioning time.

• Compactness & Modularity: The base + control module design saves cabinet space and offers configuration flexibility.

• Reduced System Complexity: Integrated EMC filter and brake chopper eliminate the need for external components, saving cost, space, and wiring effort.

• Enhanced EMC Performance: Built-in Class A filter and included shield plate simplify achieving compliance and ensure reliable operation in electrically noisy environments.

• Energy Efficiency: Support for Common DC Bus systems allows efficient reuse of braking energy across multiple drives.

• High Dynamic Performance: Leverages the proven ACOPOS servo drive technology for precise control even at low power levels.

• Comprehensive Diagnostics: Detailed monitoring and error reporting within Automation Studio aid in rapid troubleshooting and maintenance.

• Industrial Robustness: Designed and built for reliable operation in demanding industrial environments.

Conclusion:
The B&R 8I76T400037.00-000 base device is far more than just a power module; it is the optimized foundation for building compact, high-performance, and seamlessly integrated 0.37 kW servo and inverter drives using the ACOPOSinverter P74 and P76 platforms. Its integrated EMC filter, brake chopper, and included shield plate provide significant practical advantages by reducing system complexity, ensuring EMC compliance, and enhancing reliability. When paired with the appropriate intelligent control module and configured within Automation Studio, it delivers the precision, dynamics, and ease-of-use expected from the B&R ACOPOS family, making it an excellent choice for sophisticated automation tasks requiring smaller drive solutions. This device exemplifies B&R's commitment to integrated, high-performance, and engineer-friendly automation components.