As part of its commitment to continued drive development, Nidec Drives have launched the Control Techniques KI-Keypad Plus, its most technically advanced drive user interface to date. This is designed to make drives easier to use and add operational flexibility to applications and machinery.  The intuitive KI-Keypad Plus enables the user to gain easy access to the key drive features needed to improve the machine's performance, whether it’s running a simple conveyor or a complex multi-axis motion system. It will also save valuable time thanks to the helpful FastStart that guides the user through the drive configuration process.

The new larger and clearer color display means the drive status information and parameter descriptions are much easier to read and are always readily accessible. The addition of Bluetooth allows for remote and flexible connectivity to our suite of PC Tools for commissioning and programming tasks. Being able to perform all these important tasks without needing to open the cabinet means working smarter and safer.

The KI-Keypad Plus allows for flexible and simple system monitoring. The keypad can show up to 10 user-selectable parameters on the status screen, which can be scaled individually with custom units to best suit the user’s application. Furthermore, with the trouble-shooting help feature, errors can be identified and quickly resolved thanks to in-depth error code definitions, suggestions of possible causes, and recommendations of action. Certified to rating IP54 (NEMA 12), the keypad is robust and can handle harsh and challenging environments.

The KI-Keypad Plus has built-in PIN protection that ensures no unauthorized amendments are made to the drive settings. Additionally, the KI-Keypad Plus is a multilingual solution, boasting 7 standard languages, with scope to add more if the user requires it.

The Hand/Off/Auto features are present in the version of the KI-Keypad Plus, designated for fan and pump applications, when paired with the Control Techniques Pump Drive F600 or HVAC Drive H300.

The KI-Keypad Plus acts as a universal interface to Control Techniques drives, reducing the learning curve for applications demanding products from multiple drive families. It is compatible with the flexible Commander C range, specialist pump, HVAC, and elevator drives, as well as with the high performance Unidrive series and dynamic Digitax servo ranges.