178B2376 by Danfoss

The 178B2376 is a decentralized AC micro drive manufactured by Danfoss as part of the FCD 300 Micro Drives series. Supplied as a complete wall-mount unit, it is intended for conveyor sections, mixers, and other processing equipment that benefit from local speed control without a separate control cabinet. By housing the power electronics close to the motor, the drive reduces cable runs and supports compact installation in washdown or outdoor areas commonly found in food, beverage, and chemical plants. This arrangement also allows the controller to be mounted near the driven equipment while keeping the overall system layout simple.

This model accepts a three-phase supply of 3 x 380-480 V, matching the low-voltage networks found in heavy-duty facilities. Its continuous power rating is 0.55 kW, and it can deliver up to 0.75 HP at the motor shaft for small and medium process actuators. The polycarbonate and aluminum housing carries an IP66 rating, so pressurized water and dust will not compromise the internal boards, allowing mounting directly on machinery frames. Radio-frequency emissions are limited by the EMC stage with an integral 1 A filter, which reduces conducted noise on long motor leads and helps the installation meet industrial immunity guidelines. A standard factory coating protects internal surfaces from humidity, while the lack of a display reduces potential ingress points and simplifies the operator interface.

Communication with higher-level controllers is handled through the Profibus DP V0/V1 12 Mbaud fieldbus interface, enabling cyclic setpoint exchange and diagnostic feedback. The unit uses the Extended (24 V ext.) configuration, so its control circuits stay powered from an auxiliary 24 V DC line during mains outages and bus communication remains active. This setup is optimized for a processing application profile, providing predefined acceleration ramps and PID functions tuned for flow-regulated equipment. All wiring enters through a wall-mount box with metric thread entries, allowing shielded motor, line, and fieldbus cables to be sealed with standard metric glands while maintaining enclosure integrity.