The Silcovert GN is a voltage source inverter using IGCT technology to control large induction and synchronous motors for power ranges up to 24 MVA. It provides high efficiency, power factor, and low harmonic content. A digital control platform provides a user-friendly interface for flexibility in applications. The document provides details on the specifications, components, cooling system, control architecture, HMI, testing facilities, and main applications of the Silcovert GN motor drive.

1. Silcovert GN™
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com

2. Silcovert GN™
The Silcovert GN is a NPC Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) with IGCT (Integrated Gate
Commutated Thyristor) and field oriented technology for speed and torque control of large
induction and synchronous motors.
Stand alone configurations for power ranges up to 24 MVA and – whenever high overload
and dynamic response capabilities are essential.
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
2

3. Silcovert GN™
With either Diode Front End (DFE: 12 or 24 pulse) or Active Front End (AFE) configurations,
this drive provides ultra high efficiency, very high power factor (close to 1), minimum torque
ripple and low input and output harmonic content.
A fully digital control platform provides an user-friendly interface for flexibility
and accuracy in all applications.
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
3

4. Silcovert GN™
Main Supply Voltage (3 phase):
DFE: (12p) 2 x 1800V ± 10%
DFE: (24p) 4 x 1800V ± 10%
AFE: 3000 V ± 10%
Input Frequency:
50/60 Hz ± 3%
Output Power:
9000..24,000 kVA (higher power on
request)
Efficiency:
≥ 0.98 (50 Hz, rated load)
Fundamental Power Factor:
0.98 (AFE with line chokes)
Output Voltage:
DFE: 0..3000V
AFE: 0..3300V
Voltage Modulation:
PWM
Output Frequency:
10..65Hz normal
10..100Hz extended
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
4

5. cooling system
~
=
induction motor
input transformer
Silcovert GN™
=
front end
~
control
unit
inverter
INVERTER
UNIT
Std. frame
9k0/10k0/12k0 AFE
6200 x 2312 x 1400 mm
18k0/20k0/24k0 AFE
13000 x 2312 x 1400 mm
9k0/10k0/12k0 DFE
6000 x 2312 x 1400 mm
18k0 DFE

Inverter size
8000 x 2312 x 1400 mm
20k0/24k0 DFE

9500 x 2312 x 1400 mm
The dimensions listed above refer to the base configuration. Depending on the
selected option, size dependent extra length must be added to “L”:
- input manual switch: 1000 to 1200 mm
-output manual earth-switch
: 600 to 1000 mm
-Exciter unit (synchronous motor): 1000mm
2310mm
Input transformer: oil or dry type external (no distance limitation)
Degree of Protection
IP 31 (std.) IP41/54 on request
Paint Colour
RAL 7035 (std.)
1400mm
1000mm
AUXILIARY
UNIT
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
CONTROL
UNIT
OUTPUT
UNIT
INVERTER
UNIT
AFE
UNIT
www.nidec-asi.com
INPUT
UNIT
COOLING
UNIT
5

6. Silcovert GN™
Front end Configurations
DFE 12P
Diode Front
End
=
DFE 24P
Diode Front
End
AFE
Active Front
End
9-10-12k0
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
AFE
Active Front End
18-20-24k0
~
~
M
=
=
~
www.nidec-asi.com
6

7. Line to Line Voltage
Output Line-to-line Voltage
Compared to the
usual 2 level
PWM circuit (3
levels line to
line)…
…the NPC
converter has
another output
voltage level at
each pole which
improves waveform
quality (5 levels line
to line )
0.005
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
0.01
0.015
www.nidec-asi.com
0.02
7

8. Silcovert GN™
AFE Inverter Water (9000..360000 kVa)
HMI
SCREEN
& KEYPAD
CONTROL
PANEL
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
COOLING
SYSTEM
www.nidec-asi.com
INVERTER
8

9. Silcovert GN Module
POWER
MODULE:
TOP VIEW
POWER
MODULE:
REAR VIEW
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
9

10. Water Cooling Unit Details
Pressure
Temperature
Water-to-Water
Heat Exchanger
Flow
Measuring
Systems
Conductivity
Deionization
System
Filter
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
10

11. IGCT Module Replacement
FAST REPLACING TIME
- single assembly
- complete phase
(< hour)
REAR
Hydraulic pipes
IGCT Module
Phase
Module
FRONT
SIDE
(DOOR)
Hydraulic Connections
(module to cubicle)
POWER SECTION GENERAL OVERVIEW
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
11

12. Control Architeture
Front Panel
Remote I/O
I/O
Hard-Wired Link
Ethernet link
HMI
or
Operator Interface
To/from field
Control Rack
Ethernet link
Ethernet
PR
RACK
VMEbus
For plant setup and
parameter adjustment
Local I/O
To/from
Gate
Drivers
EXCITER
I
To/from field
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
12

13. Control Features
• Fully digital control based on ARTICS platform
• VxWorks real time Operating System
• Inexpensive maintenance and upgrade thanks to
market HW solution
• display for maintenance and monitoring
• Profibus interface to link the drive to the higherlevel automation system
• Local & remote interface
• Interface for rotor position and speed detectors
• Analogue I/O and digital I/O signal conditioning
interface
• Vector control for SYNCHRONOUS and
INDUCTION MOTORS
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
13

14. Hardware Structure
AMS rack
CPU Board Performs:
VME - bus
– Fast Control Loops
– Pulses Modulator
FILPRO C-GN
EPM3256A
CPU
board
(MAX 3000A Programmable
Logic Device Family,
ALTERA)
Filpro C/GN performs:
ACEX1K50
– Pulses Schedulator
– Field Signal
Conditioning
– Fast Protection
– Commands to Device
– Monitors from Devices
– Analog I/O
– Digital I/O
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
ACEX1K100
(ACEX 1K Programmable
Logic Device Family,
ALTERA)
(ACEX 1K Programmable
Logic Device Family,
ALTERA)
analog
signals
I/O
digital
signals
I/O
commands
monitors
field
www.nidec-asi.com
14

15. HMI: Control & Output
SVGN HMI (ArtTD) Main Page
Menu Bar
Tool Bar
Variables
List
Silcovert GN
Vertical
Bar
Log View
Status
Bar
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
15

16. HMI: Control & Output
SVGN HMI (ArtTD) Instrument Window
Change
the CPU
selection
The 10 most important
measures of the drive
(configurable)
16x16 LED matrix
signal.
Each LED is
associated with an
alarm. If the mouse
pointer is moved on
the LED, the
correspondent
alarm description is
indicated.
Reset the alarms
Open the synoptic page
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
Select the CPU for alarm visualisation
www.nidec-asi.com
16

17. HMI: Control & Output
SVGN HMI (ArtTD) High-Quality Trend Window
The High Quality Trend (HQT) function allows
the time visualisation of up to 8 variables
displayed by ArtTD.
Variables
description
Sampling time
Trigger selected
variable
Stored sample count
Enable the trigger
Trigger transaction
value
Trigger delay On/Off
Trigger slope
Trigger delay time
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
17

18. HMI: Control & Output
SVGN HMI (ArtTD) Viewer
Opened file name
ArtTD Viewer allows the
visualisation of graphics saved both
with the HQT and the AutoDiag.
These traces can be save as CSV
files and imported into software
packages like Excel.
Variable names
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
Choose the file
type to open
Export CSV file
Cursor coordinates and Cursor
Measurements selection
www.nidec-asi.com
18

19. Testing Facility: Nuovo Pignone
Customer Requirements
MultiThread Configuration (4)
VSDS package that operates a motor as a starter/helper/generator coupled to GT with full
power capability in regenerative mode.
Our Solution
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
From conceptual design of the machine and drives to complete
system validation (motor & inverter) and start-up in nine months.
www.nidec-asi.com
19

20. Testing Facility: Nuovo Pignone
System Performance
Torque Ripple: 2%
Mod.
20-giu-07 Hybrid
Speed
3000
3000
3000
3000
3000
Load
(MW)
6,5
26
29
32
34
Motor in helper
mode
33KV
33KV
Current Voltage
THD%
THD%
7,5
3,0
2,6
3,0
2,5
3,0
2,5
3,0
2,5
3,0
Motor Torque
Torque
[kNm]
19
82
92
102
108
Ripple%
Mech
7,5
4,5
2,5
2,0
2,0
Grid side Current THD = 2,5%
Grid phase current
Mod.
15-giu-07 Asyn.
Speed
1500
2820
3000
3300
3300
3000
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
AFE interleaving off AFE interleaving on
Grid
Grid
Grid
Grid
Load Current Voltage Current Voltage
(MW) THD%
THD%
THD%
THD%
5
26,0
13,0
9,0
3,0
21
7,0
13,0
3,0
3,0
21
7,0
13,0
3,0
3,0
20
6,5
13,0
3,0
3,0
27
5,5
13,0
2,5
3,0
27
5,5
13,0
2,5
3,0
20

21. Silcovert GN™
Main Applications
Metals – Hot & Cold processing Mills for flat and long products.
Marine – Propulsion (including dynamic positioning), off-shore workboats &
equipment (icebreakers, pipelayers, etc..)
Oil & Gas – High Power, High Speed Centrifugal Compressors
PPT2013.01.01.13EN
www.nidec-asi.com
21