Schneider ATV320U55N4B Replacement/Upgrade for Altivar 320

Product Overview

Schneider ATV320U55N4B Replacement/Upgrade for Altivar 320: Seamless Migration from Legacy Drive Systems

Upgrading or replacing a failed variable frequency drive in an active production line demands more than a part number match — it requires verified electrical compatibility, protocol continuity, and physical fit. The Schneider Electric ATV320U55N4B is a 5.5 kW, 400 V three-phase drive from the Altivar 320 series, engineered for machine-level motor control in conveyors, pumps, compressors, fans, and packaging lines. Whether you are retiring an end-of-life Altivar 31 or Altivar 312, migrating from an older ATV31 or ATV312 frame, or replacing a damaged unit in an existing Altivar 320 installation, this drive is the validated drop-in upgrade path recommended by Schneider Electric.

The ATV320U55N4B is a book-format (wall-mount) drive rated for 5.5 kW at 380–500 V AC three-phase input, delivering up to 13.7 A continuous output current. It supports both Modbus RTU and CANopen communication natively on the RJ45 port, eliminating the need for an additional fieldbus option card in most retrofit scenarios. For sites running EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS DP, or DeviceNet, the corresponding VW3A3xxx communication option cards slot directly into the drive’s expansion bay — the same card family used across the Altivar 320 range, so existing spare cards remain compatible.

When migrating from an ATV31HU55N4 or ATV312HU55N4, the terminal block layout of the ATV320U55N4B follows a comparable logic input/output arrangement: six digital inputs (DI1–DI6), three analog inputs (AI1–AI3), two analog outputs (AO1–AO2), and two relay outputs (R1, R2). Existing control wiring from a 24 V DC PLC output card — such as a Schneider TM5SDI12D or a Modicon TM221CE24R — can be re-terminated with minimal rework. The drive’s 24 V internal power supply can source the logic inputs directly, removing the need for an external 24 V rail in compact control cabinet designs.

For installations where the legacy drive was mounted in a Prisma or Spacial enclosure alongside a Tesys D contactor, a LUF motor protection relay, or a GV2ME manual motor starter, the ATV320U55N4B’s book-format depth of 149 mm fits standard 200 mm deep DIN rail sections without requiring panel modification. The drive’s integrated EMC filter (class C2) and built-in braking transistor further reduce the number of external components needed during a panel retrofit, keeping the bill of materials lean and the cabinet layout clean.

Process engineers migrating from a legacy ATV61 or ATV71 in a pump or HVAC application will find the ATV320’s PID controller, sleep/wake function, and multi-pump sequencing logic sufficient for most single-drive applications. The parameter structure has been simplified compared to the ATV61/71 generation, and the SoMove commissioning software (free download) supports parameter upload/download via the RJ45 port, allowing engineers to archive the old drive’s configuration and adapt it to the ATV320 parameter map before the physical swap — dramatically reducing on-site commissioning time.

For multi-axis or coordinated motion applications previously handled by an ATV340 or ATV900 series drive, the ATV320U55N4B is best positioned as a standalone machine drive rather than a servo-class replacement. In such cases, it is common to deploy the ATV320U55N4B on auxiliary axes — conveyor infeed, cooling fan, or hydraulic pump — while retaining the higher-performance drive on the primary axis, a hybrid architecture that reduces overall system cost without compromising cycle time.

All units supplied by TOPNLMS are sourced from authorized distribution channels, individually inspected prior to dispatch, and shipped with original manufacturer packaging. Typical lead time from order confirmation to dispatch is 1–3 business days for in-stock units, with DHL Express, FedEx International Priority, and sea freight options available to minimize landed cost for bulk orders.

Compatibility Comparison Table

Seamless Upgrade Solutions

A successful ATV320U55N4B retrofit rarely involves the drive alone. In practice, the migration touches several adjacent components in the same control cabinet or machine panel. For sites replacing an ATV312 that was connected to a Modicon M221 or M241 PLC via Modbus RTU, the existing RS-485 wiring and Modbus slave address configuration on the ATV320 can be preserved with minimal parameter adjustment — the drive’s Modbus register map is well-documented and largely consistent with the ATV312 register structure.

Where the legacy installation used a VW3A3608 or VW3A3616 PROFIBUS DP option card on the ATV312, the same card family is compatible with the ATV320’s expansion slot, protecting the investment in existing fieldbus infrastructure. Engineers upgrading a multi-drive line — for example, a conveyor system with four or five ATV312 drives on a single CANopen network — can migrate each drive individually to ATV320U55N4B units without disrupting the network topology, since the ATV320 supports the same CANopen DS402 device profile.

For cabinet-level upgrades, it is common to simultaneously replace the LXM32M servo drive on the primary axis while standardizing auxiliary axes on ATV320 drives, creating a homogeneous Schneider Electric drive platform that simplifies spare parts management and reduces the number of commissioning tools required on site. Similarly, replacing aging Tesys D LC1D contactors and LR2D thermal overload relays in the same service window — while the panel is already de-energized — is a best practice that eliminates a second planned outage.

Terminal block accessories such as NSYTRV series spring-clamp terminal blocks and NSYTRES end stops from the Schneider Linergy range are fully compatible with the ATV320’s control wiring gauge (0.5–2.5 mm²), and their color-coded variants simplify re-labeling during the retrofit. For sites that require signal isolation between the PLC analog output and the drive’s AI1 frequency reference input — particularly in environments with high common-mode noise from variable-speed pumps or welding equipment — a NSYCCM or equivalent DIN-rail signal isolator is recommended as part of the upgrade bill of materials.

Retrofit Guidance FAQ

Q: Can I reuse the existing motor cable from my ATV312 installation?
A: Yes. The ATV320U55N4B shares the same output current rating (13.7 A) and voltage class as the ATV312HU55N4. Provided the existing cable cross-section meets the IEC 60364 requirements for 13.7 A at the installed cable length, no re-cabling is required. Verify the cable screen is bonded to the drive’s PE terminal and the motor frame at both ends.

Q: Will my existing Modbus RTU program work without modification?
A: In most cases, yes. The ATV320 Modbus register map is compatible with the ATV312 for the most commonly used control word (CMD), status word (ETA), output frequency (RFRD), and motor current (LCR) registers. A full register mapping comparison is available in Schneider’s ATV320 Modbus communication manual (BBV46385). Validate the register addresses in your PLC program before go-live.

Q: The legacy ATV31 had no native fieldbus — how do I integrate the ATV320 into my existing hardwired control scheme?
A: The ATV320U55N4B supports full hardwired control via its digital and analog inputs without requiring any fieldbus connection. Speed reference via AI1 (0–10 V or 4–20 mA), run/stop via DI1/DI2, and fault reset via DI3 replicate the standard ATV31 hardwired control scheme. No software license or option card is needed for this configuration.

Q: Does the ATV320U55N4B fit in the same panel cutout as the ATV312HU55N4?
A: The ATV320 book format has slightly different dimensions (72 mm W × 142 mm H × 149 mm D) compared to the ATV312 (72 mm W × 143 mm H × 141 mm D). The width and height are virtually identical; the depth increases by 8 mm. Verify rear clearance in the enclosure before installation. No new panel cutout is required for DIN rail mounting.

Q: Can I use the SoMove parameter file from the old ATV312 directly on the ATV320?
A: SoMove does not support direct cross-generation parameter file import. However, the SoMove ATV320 device description file includes a parameter comparison view that allows engineers to manually map ATV312 parameters to their ATV320 equivalents. Key parameters — acceleration ramp (ACC), deceleration ramp (DEC), high speed (HSP), low speed (LSP), and motor nameplate data — transfer directly by value.

Q: What communication protocols does the ATV320U55N4B support natively?
A: Modbus RTU and CANopen are built in via the RJ45 port. EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS DP, DeviceNet, PROFINET, and EtherCAT are supported via optional VW3A3xxx fieldbus cards installed in the drive’s expansion slot.

Warranty Assurance

Every ATV320U55N4B unit dispatched by TOPNLMS carries a 12-month warranty covering manufacturing defects, functional failure under normal operating conditions, and dead-on-arrival (DOA) units. Prior to dispatch, each drive undergoes a pre-shipment functional check: power-on self-test, display verification, and terminal continuity inspection. Units are packed in original or equivalent anti-static packaging with foam protection to withstand international freight handling.

In the event of a warranty claim, TOPNLMS provides a replacement-first policy: a replacement unit is dispatched upon receipt of the defective item and confirmation of the fault. Return freight for warranty claims within the first 30 days is covered by TOPNLMS. For claims between 31 and 365 days, the buyer arranges return freight and TOPNLMS covers the outbound replacement shipment.

Our technical support team is reachable at [email protected] or +86 18359293191 for pre-sales compatibility verification, commissioning guidance, and post-sales warranty coordination. Response time for warranty inquiries is within one business day (GMT+8).

Bulk orders (5+ units) qualify for priority allocation, consolidated shipment, and extended payment terms — contact us directly to discuss project pricing and lead time commitments.