Comparison MV with LV Drives

ABB Industrie AG Drive Products

Module 21 Page 1

Comparison MV with LV Drive

Subject of comparison

MV LV

3.3 kV 0.69 kV

with

in the power range of 710 kW to 2800 kW

Remark: The power range below 710 kW was not considered because MV drives have usually a 12 pulse topology (or higher) and LV drives are only 6 pulse
ABB Industrie AG Drive Products
Module 21 Page 2

Cubicle length in meter

The LV cubicle is longer than the MV cubicle
Cubicle length in meter
9 8

LV

Meter

MV

0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

ABB Industrie AG Drive Products

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Motor Power in kW

Cubicle footprint in square meter

The LV footprint is bigger than the MV footprint Cubicle footprint in square meter
6 5

LV

Square meter

MV

0 0 500 1000 1500

ABB Industrie AG Drive Products

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Motor Power in kW

2000

2500

3000

Cubicle weight in kg
MV weighs less than LV
Cubicle weigth in kilogram
5000 4500

LV

4000 3500

Kilogram

MV

3000 2500 2000

1500 1000

500 0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

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Motor Power in kW

Converter prices in units

MV Converters alone are more expensive than LV Converter transfer price in units
300000

MV
250000

200000

LV

units

150000

100000

50000

0 0 500 1000

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Module 21 Page 6

Motor Power in kW

1500

2000

2500

3000

AC Motor prices in units

MV Motor prices are almost identical to LV Motor prices
Prices of AC Induction Motors
120000

Transfer price in units

100000

LV
MV

80000

60000

40000

20000

0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

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Motor power in kW

Transformer prices in units

MV Transformer prices are almost identical to LV Transformer prices
Transfer price in units of oil transformers for converter supply
80000 70000 60000 50000

units

40000 30000 20000 10000 0 0 500 1000

Motor power in kW

1500

2000

2500

3000

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Module 21 Page 8

Motor Cable Costs

LV Cables are approx. 4-8 times more expensive than MV Cables
Comparison between LV and MV motor cable costs
60000

50000

40000

Units

30000

LV

20000

10000

MV
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

MW

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Module 21 Page 9

Converter losses in kW
90 80 70 60 units 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 500 1000 1500 Motor Pow er in kW 2000

MV Converter losses are approx. 30% lower than LV Converter losses

LV at 100 % load MV at 100% load

2500

3000

ABB Industrie AG Drive Products

Module 21 Page 10

System Prices in units

System means Transformer, Converter, Motor, Motor cable with a loss evaluation over an operating time of 10 years
350000 300000 cable length 300 m

250000 LV-MV system prices in units

200000

Above zero line= MV is cheaper

cable length 200 m

150000 cable length 100 m 100000 cable length 50 m 50000 cable length 25 m

0 0 -50000 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

-100000

Motor power in kW

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Module 21 Page 11

Comparison MV with LV Drive

Summary 1

MV Cables are about 4-8 times cheaper than LV Cables. The space requirement for MV cables is much lower MV Cable laying and connecting costs much less than for LV Cables

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Module 21 Page 12

Comparison MV with LV Drive

Summary 2

A MV Drive system ( transformer, converter, motor and motor cables) must be seriously considered as an alternative to LV at 500 kW and above

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Module 21 Page 13