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20BC730A0ANNNNC0 — Detailed Product Specifications, Product Introduction, Applications, Advantages and Related Models

1. Product Overview

The 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 is a high-power PowerFlex 700 adjustable-frequency AC drive designed for large three-phase industrial motors and demanding variable-speed applications.

It is a 400 VAC, three-phase, 730 A drive in Frame Size 9, with an IP20 / NEMA Type 1 enclosure configuration. The catalog configuration includes vector control with 24 V I/O, no standard HIM, no internal brake IGBT, no drive-mounted brake resistor, no CE-compliant filter, no internal communication module and no feedback option.

One important point is that the A0 enclosure configuration should not be confused with the U0 roll-in configuration of the same 730 A family. The A0 version is the IP20 / Type 1 configuration, while the U0 version is an IP00 roll-in configuration. The two versions therefore have different mechanical arrangements and should not be treated as physically interchangeable simply because their electrical current ratings are both 730 A.

For the 400 VAC 730 A configuration, the PowerFlex 700 selection data identifies 400 kW Normal-Duty and 350 kW Heavy-Duty ratings. The same current class is also available in the 480 VAC family, but its power ratings are different, so the voltage class must be considered when comparing models.

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2. Brand, Family and Series

The 730 A / 400 VAC configuration is identified as Frame 9, with 400 kW Normal-Duty and 350 kW Heavy-Duty capability. The current ratings are 730 A continuous, 803 A for one minute and 1095 A for three seconds.

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3. Detailed Technical Parameters

The 730 A current rating is the key electrical characteristic.

The corresponding 400 VAC selection is approximately 400 kW under Normal Duty and 350 kW under Heavy Duty.

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4. Important Note About the Power Rating

There can be confusion when comparing different versions of the 20BC730 catalog number.

The 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 is the IP20 / Type 1 version.

For this A0 configuration, the 400 VAC selection is approximately:

Other 730 A versions, such as the 20BC730U0ANNNNC0, use a different enclosure arrangement.

Therefore, when comparing this model with another 730 A drive, it is important to compare the complete catalog number, not only the first part of the model number.

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5. Dimensions and Weight

The 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 is a Frame 9 high-power drive.

Its large-frame construction means that the equipment requires significantly more installation space than small and medium PowerFlex drives.

For the standard Frame 9 IP20 / Type 1 construction, the approximate mechanical data is in the following range:

The dimensions above should be regarded as approximate equipment dimensions, rather than the final cabinet dimensions.

The complete installation normally needs additional space for incoming power equipment, outgoing motor cables, cable bending radius, ventilation, grounding, service access and other components.

The approximately 526 kg equipment weight also means that transportation and lifting arrangements should be planned before installation.

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6. Product Introduction

The 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 is designed to provide variable-speed control for large three-phase AC motors.

A conventional motor starter primarily controls whether the motor is energized or stopped.

A high-power variable-frequency drive provides much more control.

It can regulate the motor’s operating frequency and voltage, allowing the motor to operate at different speeds according to the requirements of the machine.

This makes the drive particularly useful in industrial processes where motor speed has a direct influence on production capacity, flow rate, pressure, material movement, mixing, ventilation or mechanical output.

The 730 A current capacity places this model in the high-power category.

It is intended for equipment where the motor power requirement is substantially higher than the range normally handled by compact industrial drives.

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7. High-Current 730 A Capability

The defining characteristic of the 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 is its 730 A continuous output current.

The drive provides the following current capability:

This provides a useful overload margin for demanding motor applications.

The short-duration current capacity can be particularly important during:

• Acceleration
• Load changes
• Heavy material movement
• Crusher operation
• Mill startup
• Mixer startup
• High-inertia equipment

The exact suitability still depends on the motor’s nameplate current and the machine’s actual load profile.

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8. 400 kW Normal-Duty Capability

The Normal-Duty rating is approximately 400 kW.

This makes the drive suitable for very large industrial motors operating under an appropriate Normal-Duty load profile.

Potential applications include:

• Large pumps
• Large fans
• Industrial blowers
• Conveyors
• Process machinery
• Large material-handling systems
• Industrial mills
• Large rotating equipment

When selecting the drive, motor full-load current should be compared with the drive’s applicable current rating.

Motor horsepower or kilowatt rating alone should not be used as the only selection criterion.

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9. 350 kW Heavy-Duty Capability

The Heavy-Duty rating is approximately 350 kW.

Heavy-Duty operation is important for machinery with higher torque demands and more demanding overload characteristics.

Potential examples include:

• Crushers
• Mills
• Heavy conveyors
• Mixers
• Material-processing equipment
• High-inertia machines
• Machines with demanding acceleration requirements

If the application requires frequent high torque, the Heavy-Duty rating should normally receive more attention than the Normal-Duty rating.

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10. Vector Control

The 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 uses vector control.

Vector control is designed to provide improved control of motor flux and torque.

This becomes particularly useful when the mechanical load changes substantially.

For example, a conveyor may have an empty belt during one operating period and a heavily loaded belt during another.

A crusher can experience sudden changes in mechanical resistance.

A mixer can experience increased torque as material is introduced.

A mill can experience significant changes in load during processing.

Vector control provides a more advanced method of managing these operating conditions than basic frequency control.

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11. 24 V I/O

The model uses 24 V I/O.

This is well suited to industrial automation systems where 24 V control signals are commonly used.

The drive can therefore be incorporated into a larger control architecture containing:

• PLCs
• HMIs
• Sensors
• Interlocks
• Relays
• Control panels
• Process-control equipment

The actual control wiring should be designed according to the complete system architecture.

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12. No Standard HIM

The catalog configuration specifies No HIM / Blank Plate.

HIM means Human Interface Module.

The absence of a standard local HIM can be perfectly acceptable in an automated installation where the drive is controlled through the plant control system.

However, it should be considered during commissioning.

If technicians need local parameter access or local operation, an appropriate interface arrangement may be required.

This is especially important for large industrial drives because commissioning can involve substantial parameter setup.

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13. IP20 / NEMA Type 1 Enclosure

The A0 configuration uses IP20 / NEMA Type 1 construction.

This provides a higher degree of physical protection than an open IP00 configuration, but it should not be interpreted as waterproof or outdoor-rated construction.

The installation should still protect the drive from:

• Water
• Condensation
• Excessive dust
• Conductive contamination
• Corrosive chemicals
• Mechanical damage

The final electrical-room or cabinet environment should therefore be designed around the drive’s environmental requirements.

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14. No Internal Brake IGBT

The 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 configuration does not include an internal brake IGBT.

This is an important consideration for applications involving rapid deceleration or large rotating inertia.

When an AC motor decelerates, energy can return from the motor to the drive’s DC bus.

If that energy cannot be naturally absorbed by the system, additional braking equipment may be necessary.

Applications requiring special attention include:

• High-inertia fans
• Large conveyors
• Large rotating equipment
• Certain lifting systems
• Rapid-cycling machinery
• Machines with frequent stops

The absence of an internal brake IGBT does not automatically prevent the drive from being used in these applications.

It simply means the braking solution must be considered separately.

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15. No Drive-Mounted Brake Resistor

The standard configuration does not include a drive-mounted brake resistor.

This is another reason why the braking requirements should be reviewed during system design.

Where substantial regenerative energy is expected, the engineer may need to consider:

• External braking equipment
• Regenerative solutions
• Longer deceleration times
• Mechanical braking
• Process-specific energy-management methods

The correct approach depends entirely on the machine’s operating cycle.

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16. No Communication Module

The model does not include a communication module in the stated configuration.

This does not prevent integration into an automation system.

It simply means that the required network architecture should be considered separately.

A complete system might use:

• PLC control
• Digital I/O
• Analog signals
• External communication hardware
• HMI control
• Supervisory control

The required interface should be identified before final cabinet design.

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17. Main Applications

17.1 Large Conveyor Systems

Large conveyors are an excellent example of where this drive’s high current capacity can be useful.

A conveyor transporting bulk material can have very high starting torque requirements.

Starting the motor directly across the line can create considerable mechanical and electrical stress.

Variable-frequency control allows the conveyor to accelerate progressively.

Potential benefits include:

• Smoother startup
• Reduced belt shock
• Reduced gearbox stress
• Controlled acceleration
• Adjustable operating speed
• Better coordination between conveyors
• Improved production control

The 730 A drive is particularly relevant to very large conveyors requiring high-power motors.

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18. Mining Applications

Mining equipment often requires large motors and substantial torque.

The 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 can be considered for applications such as:

• Large ore conveyors
• Crushers
• Feeders
• Mills
• Material-handling systems
• Large ventilation equipment
• Processing machinery

Mining installations can also involve demanding environmental conditions.

The enclosure, cooling system, cabinet construction and environmental protection should therefore be designed according to the actual installation location.

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19. Cement Production

Cement plants contain many high-power motors.

Potential applications include:

• Cement mills
• Raw-material mills
• Crushers
• Large fans
• Conveyors
• Blowers
• Material feeders

Variable-speed operation can be used where the production process benefits from adjustable motor speed.

The drive’s high-current capability also makes it suitable for appropriately sized large motors.

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20. Large Pump Systems

Large pumps are another major application area.

The drive can adjust motor speed according to process demand.

Potential applications include:

• Industrial water systems
• Cooling-water systems
• Water-treatment facilities
• Process-fluid circulation
• Large pumping stations
• Utility systems

For variable-flow applications, reducing motor speed can sometimes be more efficient than continuously operating the motor at maximum speed and controlling flow through mechanical throttling.

The actual energy benefit depends on the pump curve and operating profile.

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21. Large Fan and Blower Systems

Industrial fans and blowers can consume substantial power.

The drive can regulate fan speed to match airflow requirements.

Potential applications include:

• Industrial ventilation
• Furnace systems
• Steel-processing equipment
• Cement plants
• Dust collection
• Cooling systems
• Process exhaust systems

A 400 kW-class Normal-Duty drive is appropriate for very large fan and blower installations when the motor current and duty profile are correctly matched.

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22. Crusher Applications

Crushers are mechanically demanding machines.

Starting and operating a crusher can produce substantial torque requirements.

The 730 A output class provides considerable current capacity.

Vector control can help manage motor torque during changing load conditions.

However, crusher selection should include a detailed review of:

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23. Mill Applications

Large mills can involve significant rotating inertia and high motor power.

The drive can provide:

• Controlled acceleration
• Variable operating speed
• Torque regulation
• Process-speed adjustment
• Controlled stopping

Potential applications include:

• Cement mills
• Grinding systems
• Material-processing mills
• Heavy industrial machinery

The motor’s actual starting and operating current should be checked before final selection.

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24. Mixer and Agitator Applications

Large mixers can experience rapidly changing torque requirements.

When material is introduced into the mixer, motor torque may increase significantly.

Vector control can provide better motor response during these changes.

Variable speed also allows different operating conditions to be selected during different production stages.

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25. Compressor Applications

Large compressors can require high motor power and carefully controlled acceleration.

The drive can be considered where variable-speed compressor operation is appropriate.

Important considerations include:

• Compressor type
• Starting torque
• Minimum operating speed
• Maximum operating speed
• Acceleration requirements
• Load profile
• Regenerative conditions

The final drive selection should be made together with the compressor’s operating requirements.

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26. Material-Handling Applications

The 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 can also be used for large material-handling machinery.

Examples include:

• Feeders
• Conveyors
• Rollers
• Bulk-material systems
• Processing lines
• Heavy-duty handling equipment

Variable-speed control can make it easier to synchronize different sections of a material-handling process.

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27. Main Product Advantages

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28. Why the 730 A Rating Is Important

The 730 A rating provides a substantial step above the 600 A model.

The 730 A model therefore occupies an important position in the high-power range.

It is large enough to handle motors beyond the practical range of the 600 A configuration while still remaining below the 875 A Frame 10 class.

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29. Comparison With 20BC600A0ANNNNC0

The 730 A model is therefore not merely a slightly larger version of the 600 A drive.

It also moves from Frame 8 to Frame 9, which has consequences for cabinet layout, transportation, lifting and service access.

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30. Comparison With 20BC875A0ANNNNC0

The 875 A version is the next major step upward.

It is intended for applications requiring even more motor current and power.

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31. Five Recommended Models From the Same Series

The following models are useful related choices within the PowerFlex 700 400 VAC range.

These five models provide a practical progression for large 400 VAC motor applications.

The 481 A, 535 A and 600 A versions are suitable when the motor requirement is below the 730 A level.

The 875 A version becomes relevant when 730 A is no longer sufficient.

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32. Five Additional Related Models

The 20BD versions are particularly useful when comparing installations based on a 480 VAC supply.

The 20BC730N0 and 20BC730U0 versions have the same general 730 A / 400 VAC electrical class but different mechanical/enclosure configurations.

This is important when planning replacements because a physically different enclosure may require substantial cabinet modifications.

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33. Five Recommended Popular Models From the Same Brand

For a broader selection, the following models represent useful high-power choices within the same brand’s industrial drive portfolio.

These models are useful when the application requires a high-power drive and the engineer is deciding between different current and voltage classes.

The 20BC versions are oriented toward the 400 VAC class, while the 20BD versions are associated with the 480 VAC class.

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34. Five Models for Different Motor Sizes

This progression makes it easier to select a drive according to the motor’s actual current requirement.

The 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 is particularly attractive when a 600 A drive is not sufficient but an 875 A drive would be unnecessarily large.

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35. Mechanical Comparison of Major Models

The physical difference between the 730 A and 875 A models is significant.

The 875 A Frame 10 configuration requires substantially more width and weight capacity.

Therefore, upgrading from a 730 A drive to an 875 A drive should not be treated as a simple electrical replacement.

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36. Installation Considerations

Because the 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 is approximately 526 kg, installation planning is essential.

The cabinet or floor structure needs to support the equipment safely.

The transportation route should be checked before delivery.

The lifting equipment must have sufficient capacity.

Service personnel also need adequate access to the drive.

The following should be considered during cabinet design:

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37. Electrical Installation Considerations

A 730 A drive represents a substantial electrical load.

The incoming power system should be evaluated for:

• Transformer capacity
• Short-circuit current
• Protective devices
• Disconnect equipment
• Power cable capacity
• Grounding
• Harmonic effects
• EMC requirements
• Motor cable length
• Motor insulation
• Line impedance
• Cabinet thermal performance

The correct protective devices and conductor sizes depend on the complete electrical design.

They should not be selected simply by copying values from a different drive model.

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38. Braking Considerations

The standard model does not contain an internal brake IGBT.

This matters when the motor is connected to a machine with high inertia.

For example, imagine a large fan operating at full speed.

When the drive commands a rapid stop, the rotating fan continues to turn.

The motor then acts as a generator.

The resulting energy can be returned to the drive.

If the energy cannot be absorbed naturally, the DC bus voltage can rise.

Therefore, applications involving rapid deceleration should be evaluated separately.

Potential solutions can include:

• External braking equipment
• Longer deceleration time
• Mechanical braking
• Regenerative energy systems
• Process-specific energy-management arrangements

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39. Why Vector Control Is Valuable in Heavy Machinery

Heavy machinery rarely operates under perfectly constant mechanical load.

A conveyor may suddenly become heavily loaded.

A crusher may encounter harder material.

A mixer may receive a large quantity of material.

A mill may experience changing process resistance.

A pump may experience changing hydraulic conditions.

A vector-controlled drive can respond to these conditions by managing motor torque and speed more effectively.

This can help create smoother operation and better process control.

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40. Energy Efficiency Considerations

The drive provides an opportunity to improve energy management when the application benefits from variable-speed operation.

The strongest examples are generally pumps and fans.

A motor operating at reduced speed can consume substantially less mechanical power than the same motor operating continuously at maximum speed.

However, energy savings are application-dependent.

The actual result depends on:

• Motor efficiency
• Drive efficiency
• Operating hours
• Load profile
• Required flow
• Required pressure
• Pump or fan characteristics
• Control strategy

Therefore, the drive should be viewed as an enabling technology for energy optimization rather than as a guarantee of energy savings.

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41. Typical Industries

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42. Advantages Over Fixed-Speed Operation

The major advantage is the ability to control how the motor operates rather than merely controlling whether it is on or off.

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43. Key Selection Parameters

When considering the 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 for a project, the following parameters deserve particular attention.

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44. Practical Replacement Considerations

If the 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 is being considered as a replacement for another drive, the following should be compared carefully:

1. Input voltage.
2. Motor full-load current.
3. Motor power.
4. Normal-Duty rating.
5. Heavy-Duty rating.
6. Overload requirements.
7. Enclosure type.
8. Frame size.
9. Physical dimensions.
10. Weight.
11. Cooling arrangement.
12. I/O voltage.
13. Feedback requirements.
14. Communication requirements.
15. Braking requirements.
16. EMC requirements.
17. Cabinet arrangement.

The complete catalog number should be compared rather than assuming that two drives with the same current rating are equivalent.

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45. Overall Product Assessment

The 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 is a high-power PowerFlex 700 Frame 9 adjustable-frequency AC drive designed for very large industrial motor applications.

Its most important electrical characteristics are:

400 VAC class / 3-phase / 730 A continuous / 803 A for 1 minute / 1095 A for 3 seconds / 400 kW Normal Duty / 350 kW Heavy Duty / Vector Control / 24 V I/O / IP20 Type 1 / Frame 9.

Its large current capacity makes it appropriate for applications such as large conveyors, crushers, mills, pumps, fans, blowers, mixers, compressors and heavy process machinery.

The biggest advantage of this model is the combination of high current capacity and advanced motor control.

The 730 A output provides a substantial step above the 600 A version, while the 400 kW Normal-Duty rating makes it suitable for very large motors.

The Frame 9 construction also provides a practical intermediate step between the 600 A Frame 8 configuration and the much larger 875 A Frame 10 configuration.

The physical size should not be underestimated.

With an approximate equipment envelope of 2373.9 × 757.7 × 1016.0 mm and an approximate weight of 526 kg, the drive requires proper cabinet engineering, lifting equipment, floor support, ventilation and maintenance access.

The IP20 / NEMA Type 1 configuration provides a more enclosed construction than an open IP00 version, but it still requires an appropriate industrial installation environment.

The lack of a standard HIM, communication module, feedback option and internal brake IGBT means that the complete control and braking architecture should be designed around the actual machine requirements.

For applications requiring more capacity, the 20BC875A0ANNNNC0 is the natural higher-current comparison.

For applications below the 730 A level, the 20BC600A0ANNNNC0, 20BC535A0ANNNNC0 and 20BC481A0ANNNNC0 provide useful alternatives.

For a 480 VAC electrical system, the corresponding 20BD high-power models are the more relevant comparison group.

Overall, the 20BC730A0ANNNNC0 is best viewed as a large industrial, high-current variable-frequency drive for demanding 400 VAC motor applications, particularly where controlled speed, controlled acceleration, substantial overload capability and vector-based torque control are important.