Rockwell Automation SA3100 AutoMax Distributed Power System - Manual (Page 34)

2-14 AutoMax Distributed Power System Overview
The Parallel Interface module (PIM) enables the AC Power Technology module to
communicate with up to three Gate Driver Interface (GDI) modules, each connected to
a separate power unit. The PIM does the necessary signal splitting and conditioning to
make the parallel units behave as if they were a single Power Module. A single
connector on the Parallel Interface module faceplate provides the connection to the
AC Power Technology module.
The Gate Driver Interface (GDI) module conditions the Power Module feedback
signals (received indirectly through the Local Power Interface (LPI) module, described
below), and sends this data to the Parallel Interface module via the rack backplane.
The GDI module contains transmit and receive ports for six channels of fiber-optic
cable which connect directly to each of the six IGBT gate drivers in the Power Unit.
The GDI module transmits the gate driver signals (received from the AC Power
Technology module) to the Power Module over the noise-immune fiber-optic link. The
GDI module also receives gate fault signals from the Power Module over the
fiber-optic link.
The connector on the GDI module faceplate provides the connection to the Local
Power Interface module mounted above the PMI rack. One LED on the faceplate
indicates the status of the on-board power supplies.
2.4.3.2 Local Power Interface (LPI) Module
The Local Power Interface (LPI) module is mounted above the PMI rack. The module
conditions and isolates feedback signals from the power unit(s) for the Gate Driver
Interface module(s). A single LPI module services up to three GDI modules.
2.4.3.3 High Power AC Power Modules
The High Power AC Power Modules consist of one to three power units connected in
parallel. They are similar to the Medium Power AC Power Modules except that they
accept higher input power and produce more output power. They use IGBT technology
and pulse-width modulation to produce variable frequency/variable voltage output
power. These inverter modules are designed to operate only from a DC bus which can
be regenerative or non-regenerative.
The 534 amp Power Module is housed in a stand-alone cabinet which includes the
eight-slot PMI rack and modules. The 972 amp and 1457 amp Power Modules each
consist of one 534 amp Power Module and PMI rack, plus one or two additional power
units connected in parallel in order to supply the higher current.
The High Power AC Power Modules are protected by integral fusing and snubber
circuitry, as well as diagnostics to provide warning and fault detection. For parallel
Power Modules, the PMI output reactors mounted within the cabinet are provided to
ensure load sharing among the IGBT devices.