The ABB PCS6000 product family represents a range of advanced medium-voltage power conversion systems designed to meet the needs of large-scale industrial, renewable energy, and grid-tied applications. Known for high efficiency, modular design, and grid code compliance, the PCS6000 series is widely used in wind power plants, large industrial drives, energy storage systems, and other applications where robust power conversion is critical.
The ABB PCS6000 family is an integrated platform that combines power converters, control systems, and auxiliary modules into scalable solutions for high-power applications. At its core are medium-voltage full-power converters that handle electrical conversion and regulation between generators, motors, energy storage, and the grid.
The system’s modular architecture allows it to be adapted to a broad range of power ratings — typically from around 1 MW up to 15 MW per unit, and expandable to much larger capacities in parallel configurations.
The heart of the PCS6000 family is its medium-voltage power converters, engineered to handle large electrical loads with high efficiency and reliability:
Designed for medium-voltage levels (e.g., 3.3 kV and higher)
3-level, four-quadrant converter topology for bidirectional power flow and regenerative capability
High efficiency — typically ~98 % or higher at rated loads
Use of advanced semiconductor technologies such as IGCT or IGBT devices
These converters decouple the mechanical and electrical systems, enabling optimized control of turbines, motors, and grid power interfaces.
The PCS6000 product family integrates advanced control systems that manage power conversion and system behavior:
High-performance PLC or controller platforms (e.g., ABB AC800M/PEC)
Support for multiple industrial communication protocols such as PROFINET, PROFIBUS DP, Modbus TCP, EtherCAT and others
Real-time monitoring, synchronization, and protection functions incorporated into the control logic
These control systems allow precise regulation of power flow, fast fault response, and seamless integration with supervisory systems.
The family also includes modular hardware elements that enhance flexibility and uptime:
Power modules that can be paralleled or replaced without shutting down the entire system
Cooling systems — typically water-cooled or hybrid configurations for effective heat management
Cabinets and enclosures designed for IP54 or higher environmental protection
Built-in diagnostics and event recording to support predictive maintenance and remote service access
The PCS6000 converters are built to provide excellent energy efficiency, minimizing losses even at large power levels. This results in better operational economics and reduced cooling requirements.
The system can operate in all four power flow quadrants, meaning it can actively regenerate energy back to the grid or source during braking or generator drive mode — a key advantage in dynamic industrial processes and renewable power systems.
With modular power stacks and hot-swappable components, the PCS6000 family allows flexible configuration for different power ranges and easy maintenance without full shutdowns.
The family complies with current grid codes and supports features like fault ride-through capability, reactive power control, and harmonic mitigation — essential for connecting wind turbines and other converters to utility grids around the world.
The PCS6000 product family is used in a variety of industrial and energy sectors:
Onshore and offshore wind turbine converters — enabling high-power wind generation systems to feed grid-compliant energy.
Utility-scale photovoltaic power systems — as part of medium-voltage power conversion and grid interface solutions.
Industrial motor drives — for large motors in steel, mining, marine, and material handling operations.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) — supporting peak shaving, frequency regulation, and microgrid control.
Grid support functions — such as reactive power compensation and harmonic management.
The ABB PCS6000 product family is a versatile, high-performance platform for medium-voltage power conversion across renewable energy, industrial automation, and grid applications. Its key strengths — including modular design, high efficiency, regenerative operation, and advanced control integration — make it ideal for demanding projects that require both reliability and flexibility.
