ABB Megadrive LCI or Siemens Sinamics GL-150 LCI?

I have worked with both companies on large drive systems, I used to work for ABB 15 years ago and Siemens last year in a different division (but no longer do). Local support is what it's all about. Both companies have great support structures, both make great products, you really can't go wrong with either of them. Are you already working with them and just looking for differences?

ABB was the first LCI drive I ever worked with and I was very happy, but I'd be inclined to give the edge to Siemens if only for the fact that in the large LCI drives, they have a service group dedicated for that product here in the US and I know one of their guys personally. I'm not sure if ABB does yet and on my project the commissioning was done by someone sent from Finland, although I have to say that my experience was 15 years ago and they may very well have a US based service group by now.

From a technology standpoint though, neither of them would be in this business without being able to do a good job on large MV drives such as this. It takes a lot of resources to design and support large drives like this, so nobody undertakes it lightly. The thing I would stay away from however would be someone who SAYS they offer it but is actually brand-labeling ABB or Siemens. That happens more than people realize.

Thanks JRaef,

We currently work with Siemens since they support the old Ross Hill LCI drive. They will be ceasing support of the Ross Hill drive at the end of 2010. Parts are hard to come by too. We also purchased an ABB drive for one of our divisions in Mississippi. Siemens is more expensive - about a $325k delta.

Thanks again for the info.

JC