NEMA ICS 7-2014

Industrial Control and Systems: Adjustable-Speed Drives

Published by:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

1300 North 17th Street, Suite 900
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209

www.nema.org

© 2014 National Electrical Manufacturers Association. All rights, including translation into other
languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention, the Berne Convention for the
Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and the International and Pan American copyright
conventions.
ICS 7-2014
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NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

The information in this publication was considered technically sound by a consensus among pers ons
engaged in its development at the time it was approved. Consensus does not necessarily mean there
was unanimous agreement among every person participating in the development process.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standards a nd guideline publications, of

which the document herein is one, are developed through a voluntary standards development
process. This process brings together volunteers and/or seeks out the views of persons who have an
interest in the topic covered by this publication. Although NEMA administers the process and
establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not write the
documents, nor does it independently test, evaluate, or verify the accuracy or completeness of any
information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards and guideline publications.

NEMA disclaims liability for any personal injury, property, or other damages of any nature, whether
special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication,
use of, application, or reliance on this document. NEMA disclaims and makes no guaranty or
warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein,
and disclaims and makes no warranty that the information in this document will fulfill any particular
purpose(s) or need(s). NEMA does not undertake to guarantee the performance of any individual
manufacturer’s or seller’s products or services by virtue of this standard or g uide.

In publishing and making this document available, NEMA is not undertaking to render professional or
other services for or on behalf of any person or entity, nor is NEMA undertaking to perform any duty
owed by any person or entity to someone else. An yone using this document should rely on his or her
own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in
determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstance. Information and other
standards on the topic covered by this publication may be available from other sources, which the
user may wish to consult for additional views or information not covered by this publication.

NEMA has no power, nor does it undertake to police or enforce compliance with the c ontents of this
document. NEMA does not certify, test, or inspect products, designs, or installations for safety or
health purposes. Any certification or other statement of compliance with any health - or safety-related
information in this document shall not be attributable to NEMA and is solely the responsibility of the
certifier or maker of the statement.

© 2014 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

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THIS STANDARD CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING PARTS:

Part 1 General standards for drive systems

Part 2 Loop position and tension control systems - vacant
Part 3 Wind and unwind drive systems - vacant
Part 4 Adjustable-frequency converters rated not more than 600 volts – Replaced by NEMA
ICS 61800-2
Part 5 General purpose adjustable-voltage DC packaged Drive systems – Replaced by NEMA
ICS 61800-1
Part 6 General purpose adjustable-frequency AC packaged Drive systems – Replaced by
NEMA ICS 61800-2
Part 7 Adjustable–frequency drive systems rated 601 to 7200 volts – Replaced by NEMA ICS
61800-4
Annex A Vacant
Annex B Vacant

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© 2014 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword ......................................................................................................................... iii

PART 1
GENERAL STANDARDS FOR DRIVE CONVERTERS, DRIVES, AND DRIVE SYSTEMS

1 General .......................................................................................................................... 1-1

2 Definitions ...................................................................................................................... 1-1
3 Product Marking, Installation, and Maintenance Information ............................................ 1-4
4 Service and Storage Conditions ...................................................................................... 1-4
5 Construction .................................................................................................................... 1-4
6 Performance Requirements and Tests ............................................................................. 1-4
7 Application ...................................................................................................................... 1-4

PART 2 (Vacant)
LOOP POSITION AND TENSION CONTROL SYSTEMS
1 Part 2 (vacant) ................................................................................................................ 2-1

PART 3 (Vacant)
WIND AND UNWIND DRIVE SYSTEMS
1 Part 3 (vacant) ................................................................................................................ 3-1

PART 4 (Vacant)
ADJUSTABLE-FREQUENCY CONVERTERS
RATED NOT MORE THAN 600 VOLTS
Part 4 (Vacant) ................................................................................................................... 4-1

PART 5 (Vacant)
GENERAL-PURPOSE ADJUSTABLE-VOLTAGE
DC PACKAGED-DRIVE SYSTEMS
Part 5 (Vacant) .................................................................................................................... 5-1

PART 6 (Vacant)
GENERAL PURPOSE ADJUSTABLE-FREQUENCY
AC PACKAGED DRIVE SYSTEMS
Part 6 (Vacant) .................................................................................................................... 6-1

PART 7 (Vacant)
ADJUSTABLE-FREQUENCY DRIVE SYSTEMS
RATED 601 TO 7200 VOLTS
Part 7 (Vacant) .................................................................................................................... 7-1

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Annex A (Vacant)
APPLICATION GUIDE FOR LINE REACTORS AND INPUT TRANSFORMERS
Annex A (Vacant) ................................................................................................................ A-1

Annex B (Vacant)
AC ADJUSTABLE-SPEED DRIVE CONSIDERATIONS

Annex B (Vacant) ................................................................................................................ B-1

© 2014 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

 ICS 7-2014
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Foreword

This standards publication was prepared by a technical committee of the NEMA Industrial Automation
Control Products and Systems Section. It was approved in accordance with the bylaws of NEMA and
supersedes the indicated NEMA standards publication. This document supersedes ICS 7-2000.

Parts 2 and 3 were essentially application information and have been tr ansferred to be part of the
Application Guide for AC Adjustable Speed Drive Systems.
In the interest of harmonization, Parts 4 and 6 of ICS 7 -2000 have been replaced by NEMA ICS
61800-2-2005. Additionally for coordination, Part 5 of ICS 7-2000 has been replaced by NEMA ICS
61800-1-2002; and, Part 7 of ICS 7-2000 has been replaced by NEMA ICS 61800-4. Parts 4, 5, 6,
and 7 are vacant.

This standards publication provides practical information concerning ratings, construction, test,
performance and manufacture of industrial control equipment. These standards are used by the
electrical industry to provide guidelines for the manufacture and proper application of reliable
products and equipment and to promote the benefits of repetitive manufacturing and widespread
product availability.

NEMA standards represent the result of many years of research, investigation and experience by the
members of NEMA, its predecessors, its Sections and Committees. They have been developed
through continuing consultation among manufacturers, users and national engineering societies and
have resulted in improved serviceability of electrical products with economies to manufacturers and
users.

One of the primary purposes of this standards publication is to encourage the production of reliable
control equipment which, in itself, functions in accordance with these accepted standards. Some
portions of these standards, such as electrical spacings and interruptin g ratings have a direct bearing
on safety; almost all of the items in this publication, when applied properly, contribute to safety in one
way or another.

Properly constructed industrial control equipment is, however, only one factor in minimizing the
hazards which may be associated with the use of electricity. The reduction of hazard involves the
joint efforts of the various equipment manufacturers, the system designer, the installer and the user.
Information is provided herein to assist users and others in the proper selection of control equipment.

The industrial control manufacturer has limited or no control over the following factors which are vital
to a safe installation:
a. Environmental conditions
b. System design
c. Equipment selection and application
d. Installation
e. Operating practices
f. Maintenance

This publication is not intended to instruct the user of control equipment with regard to these factors
except insofar as suitable equipment to meet needs can be recognized in this publication and some
application guidance is given.

This standards publication is necessarily confined to defining the construction requirements for
industrial control equipment and to providing recommendations for proper selection for use under
normal or certain specific conditions. Since any piece of industrial control equipment can be installed,
operated, and maintained in such a manner that hazardous conditions may result, conformance with
this publication does not by itself assure a safe installation. When, howev er, equipment conforming

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with these standards is properly selected and is installed in accordance with the National Electrical
Code® and properly maintained, the hazards to persons and property will be reduced.

To continue to serve the best interests of users of Industrial Control and Systems equipment, the
Industrial Automation Control Products and Systems Section is actively cooperating with other
standardization organizations in the development of simple and more universal metrology practices.
In this publication, the U.S. customary units are gradually being supplemented by those of the
modernized metric system known as the International Systems of Units (SI). This transition involves
no changes in standard dimensions, tolerances, or performance specifica tions.

NEMA standards publications are subject to periodic review. They are revised frequently to reflect
user input and to meet changing conditions and technical progress. Proposed revisions to this
Standards Publication should be submitted to:
Senior Technical Director, Operations Department
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
1300 North 17th Street, Suite 900
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209

This standards publication was developed by the Industrial Automation Control Products and Systems
Section. Section Approval of the standard does not necessarily imply that all section members voted
for its approval or participated in its development. At the time it was approved, the section was
composed of the following members:

ABB Inc. Raleigh, NC

Bluffton Motor Works Bluffton, IN
CARLO GAVAZZI, INC. Buffalo Grove, IL
Cummins, Inc. Minneapolis, MN
Danfoss VLT Drives Milwaukee, WI
Delta Products Corporation-Research Triangle Park, NC
Eaton Milwaukee, WI
Electro Switch Corporation Weymouth, MA
Elliott Control Company, Ltd. Willis, TX
Emerson Electric Co. Saint Louis, MO
GE Fairfield, CT
Generac Power Systems, Inc. Waukesha, WI
Hubbell Incorporated Shelton, CT
Hypertherm Incorporated Hanover, NH
Joslyn Clark Controls, Inc. Lancaster, SC
L-3 Communications/SPD Technologies Anaheim, CA
Master Controls Systems, Inc. Lake Bluff, IL
Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. Vernon Hills, IL
Nidec Motor Corporation Saint Louis, MO
Omron Electronics LLC Hoffman Estates, IL
Phoenix Contact, Inc. Middletown, PA
Post Glover Resistors, Inc. Erlanger, KY
Reliance Controls Corporation Racine, WI
Rockwell Automation Milwaukee, WI
Russelectric, Inc. Hinngham, MA
Schneider Electric Palatine, IL
SEW-Eurodrive, Inc. Lyman, SC
Siemens Industry, Inc. Norcross, GA
TE Connectivity Harrisburg, MA
TIAX LLC Lexington, KY
Tornatech Inc. Saint-Laurent, Canada
Toshiba International Corporation Houston, TX

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Vacon, Inc. Milwaukee, WI

WAGO Corporation Germantown, WI
WEG Electric Corp. Duluth, GA
Yaskawa Electric America, Inc. Waukegan, IL
SEW-Eurodrive, Inc. Lyman, SC

© 2014 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

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Part 1
GENERAL STANDARDS FOR DRIVE CONVERTERS, DRIVES,
AND DRIVE SYSTEMS
1 GENERAL

1.1 Scope

The standards in this part apply to drive converters, drives, and drive systems. The standards in
this part apply to all other parts of ICS 7 unless otherwise specified.

1.2 Normative References

The definitions and standards of NEMA Standards Publication 250, ICS 1, ICS 7.1, ICS 6, ICS
61800-1, ICS 61800-2, and ICS 61800-4 also apply to this part unless otherwise stated.

2 DEFINITIONS

It is acknowledged that there are differences between t he terminology and diagrammatic

representation of an adjustable speed drive system in this document and those in NEMA ICS
61800-1, -2 and -4. These are retained as they represent the historic practices used in North
America.

For the purposes of this standards publication, the following definitions apply:

control circuit: A circuit containing those parts of a power converter which perform logic
functions or which furnish control signals to the power circuit.

Examples of functions encompassed by the control circuit are gating, sequencing, regulation,
protection, control interface, and local control. (See Figure 1 -2-1.)

controller: See power converter.

coordinated drive system: One or several drive systems operated in coordinated fashion under
the control of a system director to achieve the required control of a process. (See Figure 1 -2-1.)

direct vector control: A field oriented control scheme that directly regulates the motor flux
vector in order to produce controllable motor torque. Such a scheme could employ the use of
Hall effect transducers or air gap flux sense windings for the measurement of the motor air gap
flux with the necessary modifications to approximate the rotor flux. The rotor flux would then be
used as the feedback in the direct vector control regulator.

drive: A combination of the power converter, motor, and motor mounted auxiliary devices.
Examples of motor mounted auxiliary devices are encoders, tachometers, thermal switches and
detectors, air blowers, heaters, and vibration s ensors. (See Figure 1-2-1.)

drive system: An interconnected combination of equipment which provides a means of adjusting

the speed of a mechanical load coupled to a motor. A drive system typically consists of a drive
and auxiliary electrical apparatus. (See Figure 1-2-1.)

indirect vector control: A field oriented control scheme that indirectly regulates the motor flux
vector without torque or flux feedback. Such a scheme popularly employs the use of a shaft
mounted pulse tachometer or encoder to determ ine rotor angular position, and torque angle for

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synchronous motors or rotor slip frequency for induction motors. The torque angle or slip
frequency then controls the motor torque by the necessary inverse motor transformation
equation.

position control system: A control system which attempts to establish or maintain an exact
correspondence between the reference input and the directly controlled variable, namely
physical position.

power circuit: Those parts of a power converter employing semiconductors for the
transformation of electric power to be supplied to a motor. (See Figure 1 -2-1.)

power converter: A combination of the power circuit and control circuit included on one
chassis. The power converter may include a disconnecting means. (See Figure 1-2-1.)

When used in the context of drive systems, the term "controller" is representative of the same
function as denoted by the term "power converter" as used in ICS 7. The term "power converter”
is the preferred usage in ICS 7.

system director: Apparatus associated with coordinating the operation of a drive or a group of
drives for the purpose of controlling a process. (See Figure 1 -2-1.)

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Figure 1-2-1
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF A TYPICAL COORDINATED DRIVE SYSTEM

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3 PRODUCT MARKING, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE INFORMATION

3.1 Maintenance

See NEMA ICS 61800-1, -2 and -4 for preventive maintenance instructions.

3.2 Operating and Maintenance Data

Operating and maintenance data in accordance with NEMA ICS 61800-1, -2 and -4 shall be
supplied with the converter.

3.3 External Overload Protection

Overload protection in accordance with ICS 7.1 and UL 508C shall be supplied with or within the
converter.

4 SERVICE AND STORAGE CONDITIONS

Addressed in NEMA ICS 61800-1, ICS 61800-2, and ICS 61800-4.

5 CONSTRUCTION

5.1 Protective Features

The drive system should contain protection circuits in accordance with NEMA ICS 61800-1, -2
and -4.

5.2 Required Basic Controls for Adjustable-Speed Converters

An adjustable-speed converter shall include control provisions in accordance with NEMA ICS
61800-1, -2 and -4.

6 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TESTS

Addressed in NEMA ICS 61800-1, ICS 61800-2, and ICS 61800-4.

7 APPLICATION

See Application Guide for AC Adjustable Speed Drive Systems .

© 2014 National Electrical Manufacturers Association