Master/Follower Functionality - ABB ACS880 Firmware Manual

74 Standard program features
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Master/follower functionality

General
The master/follower functionality can be used to link several drives together so that
the load can be evenly distributed between the drives. This is ideal in applications
where the motors are coupled to each other through gearing, chain, belt, etc.
The external control signals are typically connected to one drive only which acts as
the master. The master controls up to 10 followers by sending broadcast messages
over an electric cable or fiber optic link. The master can read feedback signals from
up to 3 selected followers.
M
~
Master
Fieldbus control
External control system (e.g. PLC)
Process master
Process follower
(For example)
Control word
Speed reference
Torque reference
Master/follower link
(For example)
Status word
01.01 Motor speed used
01.10 Motor torque
M
~
Follower
Speed-controlled
master
Torque- or speed-
controlled follower