About Invertek Optidrive Eco Variable Frequency Drives
The Invertek Optidrive Eco is a variable frequency drive range designed for energy-efficient control of fans, pumps, and HVAC building services applications. Eco drives are used where motor speed can be adjusted to match system demand, reducing wasted energy compared with fixed-speed operation or mechanical flow control methods such as dampers and valves.
The Eco platform is available across a broad power and voltage range, including models from 0.75 kW to 250 kW / 1 HP to 400 HP with 200–600V single phase and three phase input options depending on model. The HVAC and pump brochures both emphasize energy-efficient fan and pump control, built-in BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU communication, internal EMC filter options, low harmonic design, and compatibility with standard induction, permanent magnet, brushless DC, and synchronous reluctance motors.
Key Optidrive Eco Capabilities
- Designed for HVAC, fan, pump, and building services applications.
- Available in models from 0.75 kW to 250 kW / 1 HP to 400 HP.
- Supports 200–600V input ranges, with single phase and three phase input options depending on model.
- Includes BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU communication capability as standard.
- Supports optional fieldbus interfaces including BACnet/IP, PROFIBUS DP, PROFINET, DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, and Modbus TCP.
- Uses Eco Vector motor control for efficient operation under changing load conditions.
- Available in IP20, IP55, and IP66 enclosure options for panel, industrial, and protected installations.
- Includes application features such as internal PID control, sleep/wake operation, maintenance indication, data logging, and load monitoring.
- Designed to support reduced harmonic current distortion and improved power factor in supported configurations.
HVAC, Fan, and Building Services Applications
In HVAC applications, Optidrive Eco drives can vary fan and pump speed to match real building demand throughout the day. This is especially useful in systems designed for peak load conditions but operating much of the time at partial demand. Typical HVAC uses include air handling units, ventilation fans, circulating fans, chiller and cooling pumps, stairwell pressurization, fume extraction, and building comfort systems.
The Eco HVAC brochure also highlights features such as Fire Mode, Hand/Auto operation, drive-controlled bypass capability, belt break detection, maintenance interval timing, and building management system integration. These features make the Eco range relevant for commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, offices, hotels, kitchens, laboratories, airports, and other facilities where dependable fan and pump control is required.
Pump Control Applications
In pump applications, Optidrive Eco drives help adjust pump speed to match actual flow or pressure demand. This can reduce energy use, lower mechanical stress, and improve system control compared with running pumps continuously at maximum speed. The Eco Pump brochure emphasizes energy-efficient pump operation, simple commissioning, multi-pump control, pump prime mode, dry run protection, blockage detection, automatic cleaning cycles, and pump stir functions for sediment-prone applications.
Optidrive Eco drives can support duty, assist, standby, and multi-pump configurations, with communication between drives using standard RJ45 connections. For pumping systems where uptime matters, Eco Pump features can help maintain flow, rotate duty pumps, balance operating hours, continue operation during certain fault or maintenance conditions, and reduce downtime caused by blockage or dry run events.
Choosing the Correct Optidrive Eco Model
When selecting an Optidrive Eco drive, start with the motor power rating, input voltage, supply phase, enclosure type, communication requirements, and application type. HVAC users should also consider building automation integration, Fire Mode requirements, bypass requirements, and fan or pump control strategy. Pump users should consider pressure or flow control method, multi-pump configuration, dry run protection, blockage detection, and whether the installation requires IP55 or IP66 protection.
Compatible Optidrive Eco accessories include communication interfaces, remote keypads, Optistick Smart, OptiTools Studio, extended I/O modules, cascade control modules, mains isolator options, input chokes, output filters, and EMC filters. Piedmont Technical Sales is an authorized Invertek distributor and can help confirm the correct Optidrive Eco model, enclosure, and accessory combination for your HVAC or pump application.
