SELECTION COMPARISON
Overview
ACS380 and ACS580 are the two series of ABB low-voltage drives that are most commonly compared.
To put it simply: ACS380 is a mechanical drive (Machinery drive), oriented to equipment manufacturers; ACS580 is a general purpose drive (General purpose drive), oriented to pumps, fans and general industrial loads on factory sites.
The power ranges of the two have overlapping ranges, so "both can be used" often occur.
The real difference lies in the installation form, control focus and post-maintenance method, not just the power rating.
reference table
| Comparison point | ACS380 (Machinery) | ACS580 (General purpose) |
|---|---|---|
| positioning | Mechanical equipment/OEM batch installation | Factory Site/General Industrial Loads |
| typical applications | Conveying, packaging, textile, small machinery | Water pumps, fans, mixing, general transmission |
| construction features | Compact book format for dense installations | Wall-mounted for easy site maintenance |
| power range | primarily low power ratings | Wider coverage from low power to high power |
| mounting scenario | Installed inside the equipment or in the electrical control box of the machine | Installed in distribution cabinet or wall |
| best suited for | Batch consistency, volume, cost | Convenient site commissioning, energy efficiency, maintenance |
| key selection criteria | Installation space, load characteristics, volume costs | Power segment, protection requirements, control method |
How to Decide
- Who will install and maintain it? The equipment factory chooses ACS380 for batch installation; the factory installs and repairs it by itself at the factory site, and chooses ACS580.
- Is the installation space tight? When space is limited and dense side-by-side installation is required, the book-shaped structure of the ACS380 is more suitable.
- Power requirements - When the power is large or the capacity may be expanded in the future, it is safer to directly enter the ACS580 selection.
- Load type - ACS580 is preferred for pump and fan loads; ACS380 is preferred for mechanical transmission loads.
- Whether frequent site parameter adjustment is required - if so, the operation and maintenance of ACS580 will be more convenient.
Common Pitfalls
It is believed that "with the same power, they can be interchanged."
The installation dimensions, wiring layout, and panel operation methods of the two are different. When replacing, you need to reconfirm the space inside the cabinet and the wiring.
Just look at the unit price and ignore the installation cost.
ACS380 has advantages in batch installation scenarios, but when a single unit is used on site, the debugging and maintenance costs of ACS580 are often lower.
Ignore the model specification code.
There is no simple correspondence between ABB's rated current code and the actual rated current. They must be confirmed step by step according to the official ratings table and cannot be calculated based on part numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to read the model specification codes of ACS380 and ACS580?
The current code in the ABB ordering code needs to be confirmed against the official ratings table and cannot be read directly as the rated current. It is recommended to provide the complete ordering code for us to check before purchasing.
Both can be used in low-power applications. Which one is more cost-effective?
If the equipment factory purchases in batches and installs them into the machine, the ACS380 is more suitable; if a single unit is used at the factory site and needs to be debugged and maintained by yourself, the ACS580 is more trouble-free.
Which one should I replace with after ACS355 is discontinued?
The official migration direction is ACS380. However, the power, current, control method and installation size need to be checked one by one. For details, please see our ACS355 → ACS380 replacement page.
What should I do if I need higher performance?
If you have higher requirements for dynamic performance, accuracy or high power, you can enter the ACS880 series for selection. This series provides two power calibers: rated and heavy-duty.
Need help confirming a part number or application?
Send the complete part number, BOM, nameplate or product photos. Documents and images can be shared through WhatsApp, Telegram or WeChat.
