A new ABB drive — the ACS800 — and two ABB 50 horsepower motors are providing the power conversion needed for the main drive system in a new challenge to the world electric land speed record.

The electric car, known as “e=motion,” uses the ACS800 AC drive to convert the 600V DC output from four packs of lead-acid batteries for the two 50 horsepower (40 kW) IP23 through-ventilated AC motors that power the car.

“We initially approached ABB, via a mutual colleague, because we were aware of the company's profile in the world of electrical engineering,” said Colin Fallows, a designer of the e=motion car. “Throughout the development of the car, we have called on ABB's expertise and continue to discover how much their electrical design is giving us.”

In September, the car will attempt to set the new world electric land speed record. A U.S. team holds the current world record of 247 mph.

To qualify as an official world record, the car must clock two runs at better than 252 mph over a distance of six-tenths on a mile (1 kilometer). That requires the motors to reach speeds in excess of 6,000 rpm. (The induction motors, said ABB experts, are capable of operating at speeds of between 5,000 and 9,000 rpm).

To prevent overheating, each motor has been adapted to include a forced-ventilation system that comprises a 24V DC fan. Sensors fitted to each motor winding provide real-time information regarding motor operating temperatures, and protect against overheating.

The high power-to-weight ratio of the motors, coupled with ABB's DTC drive technology, provides excellent control of motor torque — with full motor torque available even at zero speed. This enables the car to accelerate faster to a record-breaking speed, ABB engineers said.

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