VFD185E43A Variable Frequency Drive VFD-E 18.5kW 3-ф/380

Delta VFD185E43A is an 18.5 kW VFD-E drive, three-phase 460 V supply, 38 A rated current. Control is V/f and sensorless vector (SVC), maximum output frequency 600 Hz, IP20. Built-in PLC and Modbus RTU (RS-485); CANopen/PROFIBUS via option cards. At this rating the brake chopper is built in — active braking only needs an external brake resistor, with no separate BUE module to buy.

Suited to high-power pumps, fans, compressors and conveyor lines on a 380–460 V three-phase supply. Most often bought to replace a VFD-E on an existing site. Modern in-stock equivalents: Veichi AC310 and Veichi AC10.

Delta VFD-E — compact drive with built-in PLC for conveyors, pumps and simple automation

The VFD-E is Delta's classic compact series, built for years and still running on thousands of machines across Ukraine. The idea is simple: a small DIN-rail drive that does a bit more than just spin a shaft. In our range it comes in two supply branches: single-phase 230 V (0.75–2.2 kW, 3-phase 220 V output to the motor) and three-phase 460 V (0.75–22 kW). Maximum output frequency is 600 Hz, IP20 enclosure for cabinet mounting.

Control is V/f and sensorless vector (SVC). This is not a top-tier FOC drive with encoder feedback: the VFD-E targets everyday jobs — soft start, pump/fan energy saving and multi-step fixed-speed operation — not precise crane torque. What it does have is a built-in PLC: you can program motion steps, timers or a PID loop right inside the drive, so a simple machine needs no separate controller. That is exactly why the VFD-E is popular on escalators, roller shutters, dosing and packaging machines.

Modular design and option cards

The housing is modular, with slots for extension cards under the cover. You can add digital I/O cards, relay cards, a PG (encoder) card for pulse feedback and a USB card for setup. Modbus RTU over RS-485 is standard on the series. Industrial fieldbuses — CANopen, PROFIBUS and DeviceNet — are added via option modules (for the VFD-E that is, for example, CME-COP01 for CANopen and CME-PD01 for PROFIBUS — match the part number to your version).

EMC filter and braking — what to watch

The manufacturer fits a built-in EMC filter on the 230 V single-phase and 460 V three-phase models — exactly the versions we carry, so an external filter is usually unnecessary (confirm by part number). On braking: the brake chopper is built in across the whole 460 V range of the VFD-E — including the 15, 18.5 and 22 kW units. Dynamic braking needs no external BUE module — you simply connect a brake resistor to the built-in chopper. In the model code, suffix T on small frames specifically means "Frame A with built-in brake chopper", A is the standard build and C is the version with on-board CANopen.

When to choose the VFD-E, and when an alternative is better

The VFD-E is about retrofit and like-for-like replacement: if your machine already runs a VFD-E, fitting the same drive avoids reworking the wiring and parameters. For new projects, where stock availability and support matter, a modern equivalent is often the smarter pick: Veichi AC310 covers vector tasks with both single- and three-phase input, while the simpler Veichi AC10 handles pump/fan V/f duty. If you need accurate low-speed torque (crane, hoist, winding), that is no longer a VFD-E job — look at the Delta VFD-C2000.

Our experience

The VFD-E is most often bought as a one-to-one replacement on existing equipment. Two practical tips: first, check the suffix in the part number (T/A/C) — it determines the on-board CANopen option; second, size the brake resistor to the real load inertia — the chopper is on board on every 460 V model, so there is no separate BUE module to buy. Send us the exact part number of your old drive and we will advise the correct replacement and the option cards you need.