Kempton Park, SA, 9th October 2014 - First launched last year by Parker, the global leader in motion and control technologies, the variable frequency AC10 Micro Drive now features an IP66/NEMA 4x rated enclosure for protection against the ingress of dust and water. The development makes the drive even more attractive to machine builders faced with designing systems for challenging operating environments.

One of the smallest micro drives available, the AC10 IP66 delivers simple yet proficient motor control in day-to-day applications requiring speed or torque control within the power range of 0.4 to 15 kW. The enhancement to offer an IP66 rated enclosure (IP66 is equivalent to NEMA rated 4 and 4x enclosures) is in direct response to market demand for a micro drive able to resist specific environmental conditions.

IP (ingress protection) ratings are defined in the international IEC standard, EN 60529. The rating’s first digit, in this case ‘6’ relates to the level of dust protection (6 means dust tight). The rating’s second digit, again ‘6’, concerns its water protection (6 means that water projected in powerful jets shall not enter the enclosure in harmful quantities). Parker AC10 IP66 offers all of the benefits of AC10 series drives but with added environmental protection, validated by IEC, to allow operation in difficult conditions.

For design engineers and machine builders, AC10 IP66 provides a no-fuss approach to general purpose industrial motor control applications across a wide range of industries. The IP66 enclosure enables its use in both indoor and outdoor applications where harsh conditions may be a concern, such as wash-down areas in food and beverage facilities, and in waste plants or rooftop units.

Offering features typically only associated with higher specification drives, AC10 IP66 provides sensor-less vector mode, an output frequency of up to 590 Hz, three-phase 400 V supplies in all five frame sizes, and a full 150% overload for 1 minute. In addition, the micro drive is designed to cut the time and effort needed to install, set-up and commission using its integrated keypad. Ultimately, it provides an optimised solution for OEM machine builders looking for a compact, cost-effective drive with IP66 protection without compromising on performance.

It should also be noted that the AC10 IP66 not only gives users the inherent energy-saving benefits of using a variable frequency drive, but also the improved reliability and extended service life benefits that come with smoother starting and stopping of regularly cycling loads.

About Parker Hannifin
With annual sales of $13 billion in fiscal year 2014, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs approximately 57,500 people in 50 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 58 consecutive fiscal years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit the company's website at www.parker.com, or its investor information website at www.phstock.com.

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