Pumps and fans: ACS580 (ACH580 for HVAC, ACQ580 for water). Small machines and conveyors up to 22 kW: ACS380, or ACS180 for the simplest jobs. Cranes, winders, regeneration and very low harmonics: ACS880. Always size on motor current and duty, not kW alone.
ABB drive selector
Tell us the application and motor size. The tool suggests a drive family and a starting type code to discuss with your ABB channel partner.
Suggested family
Power range of each family
Bars grow as you scroll; the family suggested by the selector lights up and the orange line marks your motor power. Log scale, 400 V class.
Which ABB drive for which application
| Application | First choice | Alternative | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centrifugal pumps and fans (general industry) | ACS580 | ACS480 up to 22 kW | Variable torque: size on the light-duty (normal) rating. |
| HVAC: AHUs, chillers, cooling towers | ACH580 | ACH580 ultra-low harmonic | BACnet and HVAC functions are built in. |
| Water supply and wastewater pumping | ACQ580 | ACS580 | Pump-specific functions for utilities and process pumping. |
| Boiler ID/FD fans and pumps | ACS580 | ACS880 for very large fans | Our own 22 kW boiler drive project used an ACS580. |
| Conveyors and material handling | ACS380 | ACS580 above 22 kW | Constant torque: size on the heavy-duty rating. |
| Packaging and small OEM machines | ACS380 | ACS180 for the simplest jobs | Compact, built for machine panels. |
| Mixers, extruders, crushers | ACS580 heavy duty | ACS880 for precise torque | High starting torque: check the heavy-duty current. |
| Cranes, hoists and winders | ACS880 | ACS880-11 regenerative | Lifting needs DTC torque control and a braking strategy. |
| Long or continuous braking (downhill conveyors, centrifuges, test rigs) | ACS880-11 | ACS880 + brake resistor | Regenerative supply returns energy to the grid. |
| Hospitals, data centres, weak grids | ACS880-31 / ACH580-31 / ACQ580-31 | Active harmonic filter | Ultra-low harmonic: about 3 % current THD. |
Selecting drives for a real project?
Softwell engineers specify, wire and commission ABB drives for industry. Share the motor list and we will suggest models and options.
ABB low-voltage drive families compared
| Family | Type | Typical applications | Power range |
|---|---|---|---|
ACS180 | Micro drive | Simple machines, small fans and pumps, conveyors | 0.37–22 kW at 400 V; 1-phase 230 V for small motors |
ACS380 | Machinery drive | OEM machines, conveyors, packaging, material handling | 0.37–22 kW at 400 V |
ACS480 | Compact general purpose | Pumps, fans and general loads up to 22 kW | 0.75–22 kW at 400 V |
ACS580 | General purpose | Pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors, mixers, boiler fans | 0.75–500 kW (wall-mounted up to 355 kW) |
ACH580 | HVACR | Air handling units, chillers, cooling towers, building pumps | 0.75–500 kW, 208–690 V |
ACQ580 | Water and wastewater | Water supply, sewage, booster and irrigation pumps | Wall-mounted up to 355 kW, larger as cabinets |
ACS880 | Industrial | Cranes, hoists, winders, extruders, test benches, mining, metals | From under 1 kW to multi-megawatt |
ACS180 Micro drive
The simplest, most compact choice when you need start/stop and a speed reference.
ACS380 Machinery drive
Built for machine builders: compact, configurable, and easy to integrate into a machine panel.
ACS480 Compact general purpose
General-purpose features in a small frame, with integrated Safe Torque Off and a Bluetooth panel option.
ACS580 General purpose
The workhorse: same parameters and macros from small to large, dual rated for light and heavy duty.
ACH580 HVACR
HVAC features and BACnet built in, ultra-low-harmonic versions for sensitive buildings.
ACQ580 Water and wastewater
Pump-focused functions for water utilities and process pumping.
ACS880 Industrial
DTC control for precise torque, regenerative (-11) and ultra-low-harmonic (-31) versions, extensive functional safety.
Older ABB ranges are still common in Indian plants: ACS150, ACS355 and ACS550. ABB positions the ACS580 as the ACS550 replacement, and because the all-compatible drives share one parameter structure and Drive Composer, skills on one transfer to the others.
How to size an ABB VFD in eight steps
Selection checklistKnow the load
Variable torque (centrifugal pumps and fans) or constant torque (conveyors, mixers, hoists). It decides the duty rating.
Pick the duty rating
Light-duty (normal) ratings suit pumps and fans; heavy-duty ratings allow the overload that conveyors and crushers need. ACS580 drives are dual rated.
Size on motor current, not kW
Take the nameplate current at your voltage and choose a drive whose output current for that duty is at least as high.
Check supply and environment
Voltage class (230, 400 or 690 V), ambient temperature and altitude derating, IP rating (IP21 or IP55 wall-mounted), and EMC category.
Plan braking
Short stops: ramp or brake resistor. Frequent or continuous braking: regenerative drive such as ACS880-11.
Check harmonics
Large drive loads on a small transformer may need a low-harmonic drive; see our IEEE 519 example in the ABB VFD course.
Choose control and fieldbus
I/O only, Modbus RTU built in, or a fieldbus adapter (Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP) for the PLC.
Add safety needs
Safe Torque Off is standard on the all-compatible drives; extended safety functions are options on ACS880.
Type code decoder
Paste the code from a rating plate or quotation, for example ACS580-01-059A-4 or our bench drive ACS580-01-03A4-4.
A 22 kW boiler drive in a steel plant was specified as ACS580-01-059A-4: general-purpose ACS580, wall-mounted, 59 A rating, 380–480 V class — chosen with headroom for the duty and installed with a star-delta backup selector.
Frequently asked questions
Which ABB VFD is best for pumps and fans?
For general industry, the ACS580 sized on its light-duty rating. Use the ACH580 for building HVAC and the ACQ580 for water and wastewater pumping.
What is the difference between ACS580 and ACS880?
ACS580 is ABB's general-purpose drive for standard pumps, fans and conveyors. ACS880 is the industrial drive with DTC control, regenerative and ultra-low-harmonic versions, for cranes, winders, extruders and other demanding processes.
Should I size a VFD on kW or current?
On current. Compare the motor nameplate current at your supply voltage with the drive's output current for the duty you need. Two motors of the same kW can draw different currents.
What does ACS580-01-059A-4 mean?
ACS580 series, -01 wall-mounted construction, 059A is a 59 A current rating, and the final 4 is the 380–480 V voltage class. Plus codes added after it are options.
What replaces the ACS550?
ABB positions the ACS580 as the replacement for the ACS550 general-purpose drive.
Are ACS580 parameters the same as ACS880?
Largely yes. ABB's all-compatible drives share the same parameter structure and Drive Composer tool, which is why our training uses one platform to teach both.