Schneider ATV320U55N4C 5.5kW VFD — Specs, Pricing & Buying Guide

By Abdullah Zahid
16 min read
Schneider Electric ATV320U55N4C Altivar Machine ATV320 5.5kW 380-500V compact variable frequency drive for industrial motor control

Schneider Electric ATV320U55N4C – Altivar Machine ATV320 Variable Speed Drive 5.5kW 380-500V: Specifications, Pricing and Expert Selection Guide

If you have searched the catalog number ATV320U55N4C, you already know what you need: a compact, certified variable frequency drive that controls a three-phase AC motor up to 5.5 kW from a 380–500V three-phase supply, fits inside a tight panel at 232 mm × 150 mm × 178 mm, and arrives without a three-week procurement nightmare. The Schneider Electric ATV320U55N4C is the Altivar Machine ATV320 Variable Speed Drive built specifically for machine-building and industrial automation environments where integrated safety logic, multi-standard certification, and embedded communication are non-negotiable constraints — not optional add-ons.

If you have already confirmed this is the right part for your application, check current pricing and availability for the ATV320U55N4C at LeadTime.ca — we ship worldwide.

Who Should Buy the ATV320U55N4C — and Who Shouldn't

The ATV320U55N4C is the right choice when all of the following are true for your project:

  • Your motor runs on a three-phase 380–500V AC supply at 50 or 60 Hz — single-phase input is not supported by this model under any configuration
  • Motor continuous (rated) power is 5.5 kW or less and full-load amperage does not exceed 14.3 A at the drive output
  • Your panel or cabinet has a minimum clear space of 232 mm height × 150 mm width × 178 mm depth available for this unit
  • Your network architecture uses ModBus RTU/TCP or CAN/CANopen — both are built in; PROFIBUS, INTERBUS, and ASI are not supported in this variant
  • Your application requires SIL 3 / PLe-rated safety functions (STO, SS1, SLS, SMS, GDL) and ATEX or UL 508C compliance without adding external safety relay modules
  • Your load is either quadratic (fan, centrifugal pump) or linear (conveyor, positive displacement) — both profiles are selectable via the parameter menu

If your motor exceeds 5.5 kW continuous, you need a higher-rated Altivar 320 or the Altivar 420. If PROFIBUS is your mandatory fieldbus, specify the Altivar 320 PROFIBUS variant instead. If your facility operates on single-phase power only, this model will not operate and a different VFD family is required.

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What the ATV320U55N4C Actually Does in a Running System

The ATV320U55N4C accepts three-phase 380–500V AC at 50 or 60 Hz from the facility supply, converts it internally, and outputs variable-frequency three-phase power between 0 and 550V across a frequency range of 0 to 599 Hz to the connected motor. That output frequency controls motor speed; the drive manages torque, ramp profiles, and braking without the motor itself doing anything differently than it normally would on a fixed-frequency supply.

What separates the ATV320U55N4C from a basic drive is what is already inside the enclosure. The brake chopper — which handles energy dissipation during dynamic braking and enables 4-quadrant operation — is integrated. Five functional safety functions rated to SIL 3 / PLe (Safe Torque Off, Safe Stop 1, Safe Limited Speed, Safe Motion Stop, and Safe Direction Lock) are embedded without additional modules. ModBus RTU/TCP and CAN/CANopen communication run through a built-in hardware interface. This is not a feature list that requires external components to activate: all of it ships inside the 232 mm × 150 mm × 178 mm enclosure at IP20 / NEMA 1 protection.

The one thing it does not include is an internal circuit breaker. External branch-circuit protection sized for 14.3 A nominal output current is required by electrical code and by Schneider Electric's own installation specification. This is not an optional safety step — it is a hard electrical requirement before the drive can be energized.

Where the ATV320U55N4C Sits in Your System Architecture

The ATV320U55N4C sits directly between the facility power distribution panel and the motor terminals, receiving conditioned control references from your PLC, safety controller, or direct operator interface via its six digital inputs, three analog inputs, and ModBus or CANopen network port.

  • Three-phase 380–500V facility supply feeds a fused disconnect or circuit breaker (external, sized for 14.3 A), then connects to the drive's L1, L2, L3 input screw terminals
  • The ATV320U55N4C converts and modulates that supply, outputting variable-frequency three-phase power from its U, V, W output terminals to the motor
  • Speed reference and start/stop logic arrive via 6 digital inputs and 3 analog inputs (0–10V or 4–20mA) from a PLC or local control station, or from the ModBus/CANopen network
  • The STO dual-channel safety input connects directly to the machine emergency-stop circuit, allowing certified safe torque removal per ISO 13850 / EN 60204-1 without routing through the PLC scan
  • One analog output (0–10V) and one relay digital output provide motor status or feedback signals back to supervisory systems or downstream instrumentation

Typical Applications and Deployment Scenarios

In conveyor systems, the ATV320U55N4C manages smooth ramp-up and ramp-down of belt speed based on production demand signals from the line PLC. The integrated brake chopper handles regenerative energy during deceleration without requiring an external braking unit, which reduces panel component count in retrofit and new-build machines.

For centrifugal pump applications in water treatment or industrial process facilities, the quadratic load curve profile — selectable via the drive's parameter menu — matches the natural torque-versus-speed relationship of centrifugal pumps, avoiding over-torquing at low speeds and reducing energy consumption compared to fixed-frequency operation.

Machine builders designing OEM equipment for export to both North American and European markets benefit from the ATV320U55N4C's multi-standard certification in a single SKU: ATEX Category 3 Group II, UL 508C, UL61800-5-1, CSA 22.2 No. 274, SIL 3 / PLe, CE, and RoHS compliance ship together. There is no need to specify a regional variant or manage two SKUs on an approved-parts list.

Industrial fan motor control on production machinery frequently requires STO integration into the machine safety circuit. Because the five safety functions are embedded and SIL 3 rated, the ATV320U55N4C eliminates the need for an external safety relay module in the emergency-stop chain — a direct reduction in bill-of-materials cost and wiring labor for the machine builder.

For machine retrofit projects where an existing fixed-speed motor needs variable-speed upgrade, the compact 232 mm × 150 mm × 178 mm footprint often fits into existing panel real estate without redesigning the enclosure layout — a practical advantage over larger industrial VFD frames.

Application Typical Deployment
Conveyor belt speed control Panel-mounted ATV320U55N4C with ModBus link to line PLC; integrated brake chopper handles deceleration; linear load curve selected
Centrifugal pump flow optimization Analog 4–20 mA flow signal to analog input 1; quadratic load curve enabled; drive modulates pump speed to match demand setpoint
Industrial fan with SIL-rated safety stop Dual-channel STO wiring to machine e-stop circuit; STO rated SIL 3 / PLe; no external safety relay required
Machine retrofit (fixed to variable speed) Existing motor verified ≤5.5 kW rated; drive replaces fixed-speed starter in existing panel; CANopen network added for PLC integration
Multi-axis coordinated motion via CAN Multiple ATV320 drives on shared CANopen network; PLC assigns node IDs; drives execute synchronized speed profiles

Key Specifications for Purchase Decision

Parameter Value Notes
Rated Input Voltage 380–500V AC, 3-phase 50/60 Hz; ±5% voltage tolerance; no single-phase option
Rated Output Voltage 0–550V AC, 3-phase Variable frequency; 0–599 Hz output range
Nominal Output Current 14.3 A At rated 5.5 kW; motor FLA must not exceed this value
Maximum Motor Power 5.5 kW Both quadratic (fan/pump) and linear (conveyor) load profiles supported
Dimensions (H × W × D) 232 × 150 × 178 mm Minimum panel clearance required; confirm before ordering
Enclosure Rating IP20 / NEMA 1 Indoor clean industrial environment only; not moisture-sealed
Integrated Safety Functions STO, SS1, SLS, SMS, GDL Rated SIL 3 / PLe per IEC 61508 / EN 61800-5-2; no external safety relay needed
Communication (Built-in) ModBus RTU/TCP, CAN/CANopen PROFIBUS, INTERBUS, ASI not supported in this variant
Digital Inputs / Outputs 6 inputs / 1 relay output Dual-channel capable inputs support SIL-rated safety wiring
Certifications ATEX Cat. 3 Grp II, UL 508C, UL61800-5-1, CSA 22.2 No. 274, CE, RoHS Single SKU covers North American and European requirements

Full technical specifications are available on the product page at LeadTime.ca.

ATV320U55N4C vs. Alternative Models: Which One Do You Actually Need?

Model / Variant Power Rating Input Voltage Communication Form Factor Best For
ATV320U55N4C (this model) 5.5 kW 380–500V 3-phase ModBus, CANopen (built-in) Compact: 232×150×178 mm Machine builders needing integrated safety, compact panel, North American/European dual certification
Altivar 320 – 1.5 kW or 2.2 kW variant 1.5 or 2.2 kW 380–500V 3-phase ModBus, CANopen (built-in) Compact (smaller) Smaller motors below 2.2 kW where cost reduction is priority
Altivar 320 – PROFIBUS variant Multiple ratings 380–500V 3-phase PROFIBUS (built-in), ModBus Compact Installations where PROFIBUS is the mandatory fieldbus protocol
Altivar 420 Above 5.5 kW 380–500V 3-phase Wider protocol options Larger frame Applications requiring higher power, more I/O, or modular architecture

If your motor's continuous power rating or full-load amperage exceeds the ATV320U55N4C's 14.3 A output, the next-rated Altivar 320 or the Altivar 420 is the correct choice — check current model availability at LeadTime.ca or contact us to confirm the right variant for your motor data.

Expert Verdict: Is the ATV320U55N4C Worth Specifying?

The ATV320U55N4C earns its place in machine-builder and integrator BOMs because it solves three problems simultaneously that would otherwise require separate components: certified safety logic, embedded network communication, and dynamic braking — all inside a compact enclosure that ships from multiple distributor warehouses without extended lead times. The buyer profile this drive is genuinely right for is specific: machine builders standardizing on Schneider Electric for compact motor control, OEMs designing conveyors, pumps, fans, or packaging machinery that must meet both North American (UL 508C, CSA 22.2 No. 274) and European (ATEX, CE, SIL 3) compliance without sourcing two SKUs, and plant maintenance teams upgrading fixed-speed drives on 5.5 kW or smaller motors where panel space is already constrained. For these buyers, the integrated all-in-one design eliminates two to four external safety relay modules and their associated wiring, reducing both BOM cost and commissioning time.

Where the ATV320U55N4C genuinely falls short is easy to define. It does not accept single-phase input under any configuration — buyers in facilities without three-phase 380–500V service need a different VFD family entirely. It does not support PROFIBUS, INTERBUS, or ASI fieldbus; if your control architecture mandates PROFIBUS, specify the Altivar 320 PROFIBUS variant instead. And if your motor pulls more than 14.3 A at continuous full load, this drive will fault immediately — the solution is a higher-rated Altivar 320 or the Altivar 420, not a parameter adjustment. Integrators already standardized on competing platforms face legitimate switching overhead in training and parts management that should be factored into total project cost before specifying this model.

On procurement reality: the ATV320U55N4C is available through Mouser Electronics, RS Online, and Sonepar with typical stock of two to ten units and lead times of two to five business days from distributor — a meaningful advantage when a production line is down. Ordering through a specialist industrial distributor like LeadTime.ca adds pre-sales application validation that a generic e-commerce channel does not: confirming your load profile matches quadratic or linear curves, verifying your three-phase supply is within the 380–500V ±5% range, and catching wrong-fit scenarios before the unit ships rather than after it trips an F01 overcurrent fault in the field. View current stock and pricing for the ATV320U55N4C at LeadTime.ca — we ship worldwide from a single order.

For volume orders or to confirm lead time before committing to a build schedule, contact the LeadTime.ca team directly — we ship worldwide and can verify regional availability before you finalize your purchase order.

What Engineers Need to Know Before Ordering the ATV320U55N4C

Because public forum discussions on the Altivar 320 series are sparse — the product is mature, well-documented, and primarily used by B2B machine builders and integrators who work through manufacturer support channels rather than posting on Reddit or PLCTalk — the most useful pre-purchase intelligence comes from the patterns engineers and procurement teams encounter at point of specification, not post-installation. Here is what consistently surfaces when buyers contact specialists about the ATV320U55N4C before ordering.

The most frequent pre-order mistake is motor current verification. Engineers confirm the motor nameplate reads 5.5 kW and move on, without checking whether that figure represents continuous rated power or service-factor-inflated peak capacity. Many motors carry a service factor of 1.15 to 1.25, meaning the actual sustained full-load amperage at the motor terminals can push well above the drive's 14.3 A nominal output. The result is an F01 overcurrent fault within seconds of the first real-load start. The fix is straightforward but must happen before ordering: ask your motor supplier for the full-load amperage (FLA) at 380–500V three-phase and compare it directly to 14.3 A. If FLA exceeds that figure by more than ten percent, specify the next-rated drive.

The second pattern is external protection oversight. The ATV320U55N4C does not include an internal circuit breaker — this is a hard electrical requirement, not a design shortcoming. Branch-circuit protection sized for the 14.3 A nominal output current must be installed upstream of the drive per local electrical code before the unit can be energized. In North America, NEC 430.32 governs this requirement. Sizing guidance: 14.3 A × 1.25 = 17.9 A, which means a 20 A fused disconnect or circuit breaker is the correct upstream protection device. Buyers who overlook this on first order often discover it during inspection or when their insurance carrier reviews the installation schematic. Confirm the external protection device is included in your panel design before the ATV320U55N4C ships. The third frequent issue is fieldbus mismatch: buyers who have a PROFIBUS network in their facility attempt to specify the ATV320U55N4C, only to find that ModBus and CANopen are built in and PROFIBUS is not. The correct resolution is the Altivar 320 PROFIBUS variant — not a gateway module attempt with this SKU. These three verification steps take fewer than thirty minutes and prevent the majority of wrong-order returns and commissioning delays reported by buyers of compact VFDs in this power class.

Wiring and Installation: What to Verify Before You Commission

  • Measure three-phase supply voltage between L1–L2, L2–L3, and L1–L3 before connecting the drive; all three readings must fall within 380–500V ±5% and be balanced — proceed only after verifying this with a multimeter
  • Connect three-phase supply to L1, L2, L3 input screw terminals (rated for 16 mm² conductors) and motor output to U, V, W terminals (also 16 mm²); route motor ground independently from input ground to reduce noise coupling
  • Wire control signal terminals using spring-clamp connectors accepting 0.5–2.5 mm² conductors; digital inputs, analog inputs (0–10V or 4–20mA), and the single analog output all terminate here
  • For Safe Torque Off integration, wire the machine emergency-stop circuit as a dual-channel series connection to the STO-A and STO-B inputs — single-channel STO wiring does not meet SIL 3 / PLe certification requirements per IEC 61508 and must not be used on machinery where safety certification is required
  • For ModBus or CANopen networks, place a 120-ohm termination resistor at each physical end of the network cable; verify node ID assignment and baud rate match the PLC configuration before applying power to the network segment

Full wiring diagrams, commissioning procedures, and safety function validation test sequences are provided in the Schneider Electric ATV320 installation and commissioning manual available through official Schneider Electric documentation channels. Engineers requiring step-by-step procedures for STO dual-channel verification or ModBus node configuration should reference that document directly.

Wrong-Part Prevention: Order This Checklist Before You Buy

Before placing your order for the ATV320U55N4C, confirm every item on this checklist. These are the most common sources of wrong-part returns and commissioning delays for this model:

  1. Verify motor input voltage: This model operates 380–500V three-phase input only. Single-phase or 600V-rated motors will not be compatible.
  2. Check motor power rating: Motor nameplate power must be equal to or less than 5.5 kW. Oversizing will cause overcurrent protection to trip or the motor to undervolt.
  3. Confirm load type: Verify whether the load is quadratic (fan, pump) or linear (conveyor). The ATV320U55N4C supports both; check that your application matches one of these curves.
  4. Confirm available space: Measure available panel or cabinet depth (minimum 178 mm) and height (minimum 232 mm) before ordering to avoid return/reorder delays.
  5. Check your communication requirement: If you need PROFIBUS, INTERBUS, or ASI fieldbus, this model does NOT support those. Confirm your installation uses ModBus, CAN, or standalone control only.
  6. Verify safety certification zone: This unit is rated for industrial environments only (IP20, NEMA 1 enclosure degree). It is NOT suitable for residential or commercial zones; confirm your site is classified as industrial.
  7. Check external protection requirement: Confirm that branch-circuit protection (external circuit breaker or fused disconnect) is sized according to the maximum output current (14.3 A nominal) and local electrical code. This unit does NOT have an integrated circuit breaker.
  8. Validate supply frequency: Confirm your facility uses 50 Hz or 60 Hz AC supply; this drive supports both but cannot be used with VFD output frequencies outside 0–599 Hz range.

If any item on this checklist flags a mismatch, contact the LeadTime.ca team before ordering — we can confirm the correct variant or alternative model for your application and help you avoid a return and reorder cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the ATV320U55N4C include an internal circuit breaker, or do I need to add one?

There is no internal circuit breaker in this drive. External branch-circuit protection is required by the manufacturer specification and by electrical codes including NEC 430.32 in North America. Size the upstream fused disconnect or circuit breaker based on the drive's 14.3 A nominal output current — a 20 A device (14.3 A × 1.25 = 17.9 A, rounded up) is the standard sizing for this model.

Can I use this drive with a single-phase 240V or 277V supply?

No. The ATV320U55N4C requires three-phase 380–500V AC input at 50 or 60 Hz. Single-phase supply of any voltage will produce an input voltage fault (E01) and the drive will not run. If your facility has only single-phase service, you will need either a different VFD family with single-phase input support or a phase converter upstream of this drive — both require engineering review before specifying.

What actually happens if I connect a 7.5 kW motor to this 5.5 kW drive?

The drive will detect output current exceeding its 14.3 A nominal rating and trip an F01 overcurrent fault, typically within seconds of applying load. The motor will not run at full capacity, and repeated fault trips without load reduction can stress the drive's output stage. The correct resolution is to specify the next-rated Altivar 320 or Altivar 420 for motors above 5.5 kW continuous power draw.

Is ModBus built into the ATV320U55N4C, or do I need to purchase a separate communication card?

ModBus RTU/TCP and CAN/CANopen communication are both built into the ATV320U55N4C via its standard hardware interface port — no additional module or card is required for these two protocols. The drive also includes one expansion slot for an optional communication module if you need additional serial connectivity or a second ModBus port. PROFIBUS is not available through any module in this variant; that requires the dedicated Altivar 320 PROFIBUS variant.

How many safety functions are integrated, and do they eliminate the need for external safety relays?

Five functional safety functions are integrated: Safe Torque Off (STO), Safe Stop 1 (SS1), Safe Limited Speed (SLS), Safe Motion Stop (SMS), and Safe Direction Lock (GDL). All five are rated SIL 3 / PLe per IEC 61508 and EN 61800-5-2. For typical machinery emergency-stop and speed-limiting applications, these embedded functions eliminate the need for external safety relay modules, which directly reduces panel component count, wiring complexity, and BOM cost.

What is the realistic lead time for the ATV320U55N4C through a specialist distributor?

Based on current market conditions, Mouser Electronics, RS Online, and Sonepar typically carry two to ten units in inventory with lead times of two to five business days for standard orders. Regional warehouse availability varies; for time-critical projects, confirming stock at the specific regional distribution hub before committing to a delivery schedule is recommended. Contact LeadTime.ca to verify current availability and lead time for your location before placing your order.

Why Order the ATV320U55N4C Through LeadTime.ca

  • Global shipping: LeadTime.ca ships the ATV320U55N4C worldwide — no geographic restriction on orders
  • Pre-sales application validation: We confirm motor FLA, load curve compatibility, and communication protocol match before your order ships, not after
  • Hard-to-source parts: When regional distributor stock is depleted, LeadTime.ca maintains access to specialist sourcing channels to locate inventory faster
  • Volume pricing: Contact us for pricing on orders of five or more units — pricing is available on the product page for single-unit orders
  • Procurement support: Lead time confirmation, purchase order processing, and technical pre-qualification available directly from our team

At-a-Glance Summary

  • Model: ATV320U55N4C — Altivar Machine ATV320 Variable Speed Drive; 5.5 kW maximum motor power, 380–500V three-phase input only
  • Nominal output current: 14.3 A — motor full-load amperage must not exceed this value at the drive output terminals
  • Compact form factor: 232 mm height × 150 mm width × 178 mm depth — minimum panel clearance required in all three dimensions
  • Five integrated safety functions (STO, SS1, SLS, SMS, GDL) rated SIL 3 / PLe — external safety relay modules not required for typical machinery applications
  • Built-in ModBus RTU/TCP and CAN/CANopen communication — PROFIBUS, INTERBUS, and ASI not supported in this variant
  • Certifications in a single SKU: ATEX Category 3 Group II, UL 508C, UL61800-5-1, CSA 22.2 No. 274, CE, RoHS
  • Enclosure: IP20 / NEMA 1 — indoor clean industrial environments only; not suitable for residential, commercial, or moisture-exposed locations
  • Integrated brake chopper enables 4-quadrant operation and dynamic braking energy dissipation without external braking resistor unit
  • External branch-circuit protection (fused disconnect or circuit breaker rated for 14.3 A nominal) is required — this unit does not include an internal breaker
  • Typical distributor lead time: 2–5 business days from Mouser, RS Online, or Sonepar; verify current regional stock before committing to project schedule

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