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131B5838 Danfoss VLT FC-102 HVAC Drive 18.5 kW / 25 HP, 380 – 480 VAC, IP21
Danfoss 131B5838 VLT HVAC Drive FC 102, an 18.5 kW three phase AC variable frequency drive with IP21 enclosure for HVAC motor control, ventilation, pumps, compressors and building automation systems.
£1,717.65
Danfoss 131B5838 at a glance
The Danfoss 131B5838 is an 18.5 kW / 25 HP VLT HVAC Drive FC 102 for 3 × 380–480 V AC supplies, made for the fans, pumps and compressors in building services. It is a frame B1, IP21 / UL Type 1 unit, suitable for mounting in clean, dry indoor plant rooms.
This configuration has RFI class A1/B (C1), no brake chopper, and a graphical LCP 102 control panel. The full type code is decoded alongside the FAQs.
Sizing and installation
- Enclosure: IP21 / UL Type 1 — suitable for mounting in clean, dry indoor plant rooms.
- EMC: RFI class A1/B (C1). Check the permitted screened motor cable length in the Danfoss FC 102 Design Guide.
FC 102 features for HVAC
- Built-in RS-485 protocols: Danfoss FC, Modbus RTU, BACnet MS/TP, Metasys N2 and FLN Apogee — connects to most building management systems without an option card.
- Fire Mode keeps the drive running during an emergency, for example to keep smoke-extract fans turning.
- Automatic Energy Optimisation (AEO) cuts motor losses at part load — Danfoss quotes a further 5–15% saving.
- Pump and fan functions: sleep mode, dry-pump, end-of-curve and broken-belt detection, plus a built-in cascade controller for pump sets.
- Built-in DC coils limit mains harmonics (EN 61000-3-12).
- Smart Logic Controller for simple sequencing without a PLC.
Where the energy saving comes from
Centrifugal fans and pumps follow the affinity laws: absorbed power falls with the cube of speed. Running at 80% speed needs roughly half the power of full speed (0.8³ ≈ 0.51, before motor and drive losses) — which is why speed control pays back faster on fans and pumps than almost any other load.
Other sizes and enclosures
Same configuration, different power
Smaller15 kWDanfoss 131B5837IP21 / UL Type 1 · frame B1View drive →
This drive18.5 kWDanfoss 131B5838IP21 / UL Type 1 · frame B1
Larger22 kWDanfoss 131B5839IP21 / UL Type 1 · frame B2View drive →
Same 18.5 kW rating, other enclosures
This driveIP21Danfoss 131B5838IP21 / UL Type 1
EnclosureIP20Danfoss 131F6632IP20 / chassisView drive →
EnclosureIP55Danfoss 131B3449IP55 / UL Type 12View drive →
EnclosureIP66Danfoss 131B7641IP66 / UL Type 4XView drive →
Typical applications
✓ Supply and extract fans in air-handling units
✓ Chilled- and hot-water circulation pumps
✓ Cooling towers and condenser fans
✓ Booster sets and multi-pump stations
✓ Ventilation and smoke-extract systems
Technical Specifications
Tick the specs you need, then view products that match.
| Power | 18.5 kW | |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 480 V | |
| Phase | Three Phase | |
| IP Rating | IP21 | |
| EMC Filter | Commercial | |
| Series | VLT® HVAC Drive FC 102 | |
| Part Number | 131B5838 | |
| Model Code | FC-102P18KT4E21H1XGXXXXSXXXXAXBXCXXXXDX | |
| Product type | HVAC variable frequency drive | |
| Rated output power | 18.5 kW / 25 HP | |
| Input voltage | 380–480 V AC | |
| Input phases | Three phase | |
| Frequency | 50 / 60 Hz | |
| Protection rating | IP21 / Type 1 | |
| Mounting type | Panel / plant room mounting | |
| Frame size | B1 | |
| RFI filter | H1 Class A1/B (C1) | |
| Brake chopper | No brake chopper | |
| Control panel | Graphical Local Control Panel | |
| PCB coating | Not coated | |
| Mains option | No mains option | |
| Software | Latest release standard software |
Frequently asked questions
Which communication protocols are built in?
Danfoss FC, Modbus RTU, BACnet MS/TP, Metasys N2 and FLN Apogee over the built-in RS-485 port. This unit has no fieldbus option card fitted, so PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP or BACnet/IP would need an MCA option card.
Can this drive be wall mounted without a panel?
Yes. The IP21 / UL Type 1 enclosure is designed for direct mounting.
Type code decoded
FC-102P18KT4E21H1XGXXXXSXXXXAXBXCXXXXDX
G fitted / defines this unit X not fitted / standard
| Product series Position 1–6 | VLT HVAC Drive FC 102 | FC-102 |
|---|---|---|
| Power size Position 7–10 | 18.5 kW / 25 HP | P18K |
| Mains voltage Position 11–12 | 3 × 380–480 V AC | T4 |
| Enclosure Position 13–15 | IP21 / UL Type 1 | E21 |
| RFI filter Position 16–17 | RFI class A1/B (C1) | H1 |
| Brake / Safe Stop Position 18 | No brake chopper | X |
| Local control panel Position 19 | Graphical LCP 102 | G |
| PCB coating Position 20 | Standard (uncoated) PCBs | X |
| Mains option Position 21 | No mains option | X |
| Adaptation A Position 22 | Standard cable entries | X |
| Adaptation B Position 23 | Standard | X |
| Software release Position 24–27 | Latest standard release | SXXX |
| Software language Position 28 | Standard language package | X |
| A option (fieldbus) Position 29–30 | No fieldbus option | AX |
| B option (I/O) Position 31–32 | No B option | BX |
| C0 option Position 33–34 | No C0 option | CX |
| C1 option Position 35 | No C1 option | X |
| C option software Position 36–37 | None | XX |
| D option Position 38–39 | No D option | DX |
