Question 1

What is the difference between the FR-A800 and FR-E800 drives?

Accepted Answer

The FR-A800 is the high-performance platform designed for demanding applications requiring wide speed range, high starting torque, and advanced motor control. The FR-E800 is a compact, cost-effective drive for standard applications like fans, pumps, and conveyors. The FR-A800 supports CC-Link IE, has more I/O, a built-in PLC, and offers advanced features like load-adaptive speed control and droop control for load sharing.

Question 2

How does the FR-A800 achieve high torque at low speeds without an encoder?

Accepted Answer

The FR-A800 uses Mitsubishi's Real Sensorless Vector control algorithm, which estimates rotor flux and speed from motor current and voltage measurements with high-speed processing. The algorithm compensates for stator resistance variations due to temperature changes in real-time. This enables 200% rated torque from 0.5 Hz and 150% rated torque at 0.3 Hz, suitable for applications like cranes and extruders that require high breakaway torque.

Question 3

Can the FR-A800 control permanent magnet (PM) motors?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the FR-A800 supports IPM (Interior Permanent Magnet) and SPM (Surface Permanent Magnet) motors in both sensorless and closed-loop vector modes. The PM Sensorless Vector mode provides high-efficiency operation for constant-speed applications, while vector with encoder mode adds precise speed and position control. PM motor auto-tuning estimates motor parameters automatically for fast commissioning.

Question 4

What is the FR-Script built-in PLC?

Accepted Answer

FR-Script is an integrated PLC function within the FR-A800 that can be programmed in IEC 61131-3 Structured Text using Mitsubishi's FR Configurator2 software. It provides up to 20,000 steps of program memory and executes user logic including speed references, I/O processing, calculations, and communication independently of an external PLC. This enables the drive to function as a standalone intelligent controller for simple machine applications.

Question 5

How does the FR-A800 integrate with Mitsubishi's automation ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

The FR-A800 integrates via CC-Link IE Field for high-speed communication with MELSEC iQ-R PLCs, providing cyclic data exchange and parameter access over a single Ethernet cable. GX Works3 provides transparent drive parameterization from the PLC programming environment. FR-A800 drive profiles are available in iQ Works for integrated engineering. The drive also supports SLMP (Seamless Message Protocol) for direct access from GOT2000 HMI panels.

Parameter	Value
Power Range	0.75–630 kW
Input Voltage	200–240 V 3AC / 380–480 V 3AC
Control Modes	V/f, Advanced Magnetic Flux Vector, Real Sensorless Vector, PM Sensorless Vector, Vector with encoder
Starting Torque	200% at 0.5 Hz (sensorless vector)
Speed Control Range	1:200 (sensorless) / 1:1500 (with encoder)
Carrier Frequency	0.7–16 kHz
Integrated Safety	STO (SIL 3 / PL e per IEC 62061 / ISO 13849)
Communication	CC-Link IE, PROFIBUS DP, DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU
Built-in PLC	FR-Script (IEC 61131-3 Structured Text)
Operating Temperature	-10 to +50 °C

Mitsubishi Electric FR-A800 Inverter

Specifications

Key Features

Alternative Products

Siemens SINAMICS G120

ABB ACS580 General-Purpose Drive

Siemens SINAMICS G120C 6SL3210-1KE32-2UF1

Siemens SINAMICS V20 6SL3210-5BB17-5AV0

Siemens SINAMICS G120P 6SL3210-1PE32-3UL0

Applications

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Citations