DCS 500 system introduction

The DCS 500 series is a complete range of DC converters with high performance and reliability intended for the supply and control of DC machine armatures. 

DCA 500 is a DCS 500 converter module mounted in a converter enclosure called "Common Cabinet" ( see separate documentation).

DCF 500 is a DCS 500 module modified in a way to supply other consumers than armature circuits of DC machines ( e.g. inductive loads like motor field windings, magnets etc.).

For revamp projects ABB has created a special "Rebuild Kit" called DCR 500 to polish up your old DC power stack with a new modern digital front end (see separate documentation).

A selection of options is available to provide the user with a system meeting the most demanding technical requirements and performance expectations as well as many safety standards. Common control electronics throughout the whole range reduce spare parts, inventory and training.

Field exciters

The DCS 500 system has different options for the field supply. There are one and three phase field exciters available, which can be either integrated (diode field exciter SDCS-FEX-1 and half controlled field exciter SDCS-FEX-2A) or externally mounted (half controlled DCF503-0050 with the SDCS-FEX32 board and fully controlled DCF504-0050 with the SDCS-FEX-31 board).

Three phase field exciters DCF 50xB/60x are converter modules themselves, similar to the DCS 501B/601 or DCS 502B/602 additionally a overvoltage protection unit is needed see chapter 8.4.