Nidec Control Techniques MP1200A4 / MP1200A4R (1200A)
Nidec Control Techniques MP1200A4 / MP1200A4R (1200A)
The Nidec MP1200A4 and its regenerative twin, the MP1200A4R, are the heavy-duty workhorses of the Mentor MP series.
Capable of delivering a continuous 1200A of armature current, these drives are engineered for high-power industrial applications where moving massive loads with precision is non-negotiable.
Technical Parameter Table
| Feature | Specification (MP1200A4 / MP1200A4R) |
| Rated Armature Current | 1200A DC |
| AC Input Voltage | 24V to 480V AC (±10%) |
| Typical Motor Power | 750 HP @ 460V / 450 kW @ 400V |
| Frame Size | Frame 2C (Non-Regen) / Frame 2D (Regen) |
| Field Current | Integrated 20A Field Controller |
| Overload Capacity | 150% for 30 seconds |
| Control Logic | Galvanically isolated control circuits |
| Cooling | Forced air (Intelligent speed-controlled fans) |
Product Advantages and Features
Galvanic Isolation: A unique, patent-pending feature that isolates the control circuits from the high-voltage power stage, protecting your PLCs and other sensitive equipment.
Regenerative Power Management: The MP1200A4R (4-quadrant) recovers energy during motor braking and pumps it back into the AC supply, drastically reducing operating costs in high-inertia setups.
Intelligent Automation: With three “Solutions Module” slots, the drive can support onboard motion control, high-speed Ethernet (Profinet, EtherNet/IP), and additional I/O.
Modern Retrofit Path: It shares mounting points and power terminal locations with the legacy Mentor II, making it the industry-standard choice for “drop-in” upgrades.
SmartCard Technology: Every unit includes a SmartCard for easy parameter cloning and PLC program backup without a PC.
Application Cases
Heavy Duty Extruders: Maintaining precise torque and speed control for high-volume plastic and rubber manufacturing.
Metal Rolling Mills: Handling the extreme peaks and rapid reversals required in steel and aluminum processing.
Mine Hoists & Conveyors: Utilizing 1200A of power to move massive payloads with safety-critical precision (Safe Torque Off).
Test Stands: Providing highly accurate speed and torque references for automotive and aerospace component testing.
Unique Product Description: The “Efficient Giant”
While most high-power drives are bulky and “dumb,” the MP1200A4 is the “Efficient Giant.”
It packs 750 horsepower of control into a relatively compact footprint. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to run sophisticated AC-style control algorithms on traditional DC motors, effectively giving old industrial iron a “digital brain transplant.”
MP1200A4 MP1200A4R
Installation and Maintenance
Physical Mounting: Due to the 1200A current rating, these units are heavy (approx. 45kg/100lb). Use the designated lifting eyes during installation.
Electrical Clearance: High-current busbars must be torqued to specific factory settings to prevent arcing or overheating.
Environmental Protection: While the internal electronics are robust, ensure the cabinet has adequate filtration; the high-volume fans can pull in significant dust in mill environments.
Fuse Selection: Use aR-type high-speed semiconductor fuses only. Standard motor circuit breakers will not react fast enough to protect the thyristor bridge.
Other Models in the Same Series
The Mentor MP family covers the full spectrum of industrial DC power:
Low Power: MP25A4(R) to MP210A4(R) (25A – 210A)
Mid Power: MP350A4(R) to MP900A4(R) (350A – 900A)
High Power: MP1200A4(R) and MP1850A4(R) (1200A – 1850A)
High Voltage (690V): Models like the MP1200A6R are available for specialized 600V/690V grids.
Related Models
FXMP25: External field controller for motors requiring up to 25A of field current.
SM-Applications Plus: For advanced motion control and high-speed peer-to-peer networking.
MP-Keypad: Multilingual LCD display for simplified setup and diagnostics.
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Closed loop control using
Tacho-generator feedback for connection to traditional DC motor
Incremental encoder feedback for higher accuracy and position control
Optional SinCos, SSI, Hiperface and EnDAT connectivity for high performance applications
High performance control strategy
32 bit microprocessor
35μs current sampling time
Speed controller and ramps update 250μs
Autotune features for armature, field current loops and speed loop
Current ratings
The power ratings for the 480V, 575V and 690V configurations are shown below.
The continuous current ratings given are for a maximum ambient temperature of 40°C (104°F) and an altitude of 1000m (3.300ft).
For operation at higher temperatures and altitudes de-rating is required. Overload of 150% for 30s is available with ambient temperature of 40°C (104°F) up to a maximum of 10 repetitions per hour.