Engineering
20 M-Max Series Adjustable Frequency Drive    MN04020003E—October 2013    www.eaton.com
Voltage Balance
Because of the uneven loading on the conductor, and with 
the direct connection of greater power ratings, deviations 
from the ideal voltage form and asymmetrical voltages can 
be caused in three-phase AC power networks. These 
asymmetric divergences in the input voltage can lead to 
different loading of the diodes in input rectifiers with 
three-phase supplied frequency inverters, and as a result, 
an advance failure of this diode.
In the project planning for the connection of three-phase 
supplied frequency inverters (MMX32, MMX34, MMX35), 
consider only AC power networks that handle permitted 
asymmetric divergences in the input voltage  +3%.
If this condition is not fulfilled, or symmetry at the connection
location is not known, the use of an assigned main choke is
recommended.
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
The THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) is a measurement for 
the occurring harmonic distortion of the sinusoidal oscillation 
(input power side) input variables with the frequency 
inverter. It is given in percent of the total value.
U
1
 = fundamental component
THD k = 0.1   K = 10% ~ –20 dB (THD suppression)
With M-Max series frequency inverters, the permitted value 
for the total harmonic distortion THD is >120%.
Idle Power Compensation Devices
Compensation on the power supply side is not required for 
M-Max series frequency inverters. From the AC power 
supply network, they take on very little reactive power of the 
fundamental harmonics (cos  ~ 0.98).
In the AC power networks with non-choked idle current 
compensation devices, current deviations can enable parallel 
resonance and undefinable circumstances.
In the project planning for the connection of frequency 
inverters to AC power networks with undefined 
circumstances, consider using main chokes.
Input Reactors 
A input reactor (also called commutation inductor) increases 
the inductance of the power supply line. This extends the 
current flow period and dampens input deviations.
On frequency inverters, a input reactor limits the input 
feedback to permissible values. The harmonic current 
emissions that are fed back into the input network (“input 
feedback”) are reduced. This reduces the input-side apparent 
current to about 30%.
Toward the frequency inverter, the input reactors dampen 
the interference from the supply network. This increases the 
withstand voltage of the frequency inverter and lengthens 
the lifespan (diodes of the input power rectifier, intermediate 
circuit capacitors).
For the operation of the M-Max frequency inverter, the 
application of main chokes is not necessary. 
We do recommend, however, that an upstream main choke 
is used because the network quality is not known in most 
cases.
While planning the project, consider that a input reactor is
only assigned to a single frequency inverter for isolation.
Using a large input reactor for multiple small frequency
inverters should therefore be avoided if at all possible.
When using an adapting transformer (assigned to a single
frequency inverter), a main choke is not necessary.
Input reactors are designed based on the input current (I
LN
) 
of the frequency inverter. Input chokes and the assignment 
to M-Max frequency inverters are explained in the appendix.
K
U
2
2
U+
3
2
U
4
2
... U
n
++
2
+
U
1
2
U+
2
2
U
3
2
U
4
2
... U
n
++
2
++
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=
   
•
 
100%
THD
U
2
2
U+
3
2
U
4
2
... U
n
++
2
+
U
1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------=