Technical Data · Publication 280ES-TD001 · Rockwell Automation

ArmorStart ST Distributed Motor Controller Technical Data

This technical data sheet covers the Allen-Bradley ArmorStart ST Distributed Motor Controller, Bulletin numbers 281E/281ES/281GS and 284E/284ES/284GS, including standard, hardwired safety, and integrated safety versions. It provides electrical ratings, mechanical ratings, environmental specifications, wiring diagrams, catalog number explanations, motor overload trip curves, and safety data. Bulletin 281 models are full-voltage and reversing starters; Bulletin 284 models are variable frequency drives with sensorless vector control. The document also includes replacement parts lists and safety performance data for integrated safe torque-off (STO) functions.

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IP67 Enclosure Rating
Category 4, PLe Max Safety Level
200…575V AC Operating Voltage
10/100 Mbps, min. 500 … Ethernet Rate

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Specifications

Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS Electrical Ratings

Rated Operation Voltage (Power Circuit) 200…575V AC
Rated Insulation Voltage 600V
Rated Impulse Voltage 6 kV
Dielectric Withstand 2200V AC
Operating Frequency 50/60 Hz
Rated Operating Current Max. (10A) 1.2 A
Rated Operating Current Max. (10B) 2.5 A
Rated Operating Current Max. (10C) 5.5 A
Rated Operating Current Max. (25D) 16 A
Control Voltage 24V DC (+10%, -15%), SELV or PELV
Short Circuit Protection (SCPD) Sym. amps rms 65 kA at 480Y/277V; 65 kA at 600Y/347V
Max. Fuse (SCPD) 30 A (Class J, CC, and T fuses only)

Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS Mechanical Ratings

Approximate Shipping Weight 10.4 kg (23 lbs)
Resistance to Shock (Operational) 15 G
Resistance to Shock (Non-Operational) 30 G
Resistance to Vibration (Operational) 1 G, 0.15 mm (0.006 in.) Displacement
Resistance to Vibration (Non-Operational) 2.5 G, 0.38 mm (0.015 in.) Displacement
Power/Ground Wire Size (UL/NEMA) #16…#10 AWG
Power/Ground Wire Size (IEC) 1.0…4.0 mm²
Contactor Mechanical Life (C12 / C23) 13 million operations each

Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS Environmental Specifications

Operating Temperature Range -20…+40 °C (-4…+104 °F)
Storage and Transportation Temperature Range -25…+85 °C (-13…+185 °F)
Altitude 2000 m (6562 ft)
Humidity 5…95% (noncondensing)
Pollution Degree 3
Electrostatic Discharge Immunity 4 kV contact and 8 kV Air

Bulletin 284E/284ES/284GS VFD Electrical Ratings

Rated Operation Voltage (Power Circuit) 380/220…480/277V AC
Rated Insulation Voltage 600V
Rated Impulse Voltage 6 kV
Output Current Range 2.3 A (1 Hp) to 7.6 A (5 Hp)
Control Voltage 24V DC (+10%, -15%), SELV or PELV
Short Circuit Protection Sym. amps rms 65 kA at 480Y/277V
Max. Fuse (SCPD) 30 A (Class J, CC, and T fuses only)

Bulletin 284E/284ES/284GS VFD Drive Characteristics

Output Frequency 0…400 Hz (Programmable)
Efficiency 97.5% (Typical)
Maximum Hp Rating / Input Voltage (SVC) 5 Hp (3.3 kW) / 480V AC
Preset Speeds 8
Motor Overload Protection I²t overload protection, 150% for 60 s, 200% for 3 s (Class 10)

Bulletin 284E/284ES/284GS Environmental Specifications

Operating Temperature Range -20…+40 °C (-4…+104 °F)
Storage and Transportation Temperature Range -25…+85 °C (-13…+185 °F)
Altitude 1000 m (3281 ft); derating available to 2000 m
Humidity 5…95% (noncondensing)
Pollution Degree 3
Internal Fan L10 Life 80,000 hours at 40 °C (104 °F)

Safety Data: Safe Torque Off (STO)

PFH, Bulletin 281ES/GS Starter 3.62E-09 (1/h)
PFH, Bulletin 284ES/GS VFD 3.56E-09 (1/h)
SIL 3
Performance Level e
Category 4
Safe Failure Fraction, 281ES/GS 99.1%
Safe Failure Fraction, 284ES/GS 99.0%
MTTFD, 281ES/GS 83.1 years
MTTFD, 284ES/GS 94.2 years
Mission Time 20 years

I/O Specifications (Standard)

Number of Inputs (281) 4 (6 optional with 281GS)
Number of Outputs (281) 2 (0 with 281GS)
Input On-State Voltage Range 10…26V DC
Input Off-State Voltage Range 0…5V DC
Output Conventional Thermal Current 0.5 A each, 1 A max combined
Output Peak Current Current limited 2…8 A (5 A nominal) at 24V DC
Maximum Input Frequency Response 200 Hz
Input Filter (Off-to-On / On-to-Off) Settable 0…64 ms in 1 ms increments

Catalog Number Format

How to read an Allen-Bradley 280ES catalog number. Each position encodes a specific configuration attribute.

Position
Meaning
Example
a
Bulletin Number
281 = Reversing Starter; 284 = VFD Starter
b
ArmorStart ST Version
E = Standard or hardwired safety; ES = Integrated safety 4in/2out; GS = Integrated safety 6in/0out
c
Enclosure Type
F = IP67/UL Type 4/12/13
d (281)
Contactor Size
12 = 12 A; 23 = 23 A
d (284)
Torque Performance Mode
V = Sensorless Vector Control and Volts per Hertz
e (281)
Control Voltage
Z = 24V DC standard; S = 24V DC safety
e (284)
Output Current
D2P3 = 2.3 A/1 Hp; D4P0 = 4.0 A/2 Hp; D6P0 = 6.0 A/3 Hp; D7P6 = 7.6 A/5 Hp
f (281)
Short-circuit Protection (Motor Circuit Protection)
10 = 10 A rated device; 25 = 25 A rated device
f (284)
Control Voltage
Z = 24V DC standard; S = 24V DC safety
g (281)
Overload Selection Current Range
A = 0.24…1.2 A; B = 0.5…2.5 A; C = 1.1…5.5 A; D = 3.2…16 A
g (284)
Short-circuit Protection (Motor Circuit Protection)
10 = 10 A rated device; 25 = 25 A rated device
h
Control and 3-Phase Power Connections / Motor Cable Connection
RRG = Round Media male receptacle for control/power, female for motor
i (281)
HOA Option
3FR = Hand/Off/Auto keypad with Forward/Reverse
i (284)
HOA Option
3 = Hand/Off/Auto keypad with Forward/Reverse and Jog
j (281)
Safety I/O Option (ES or GS only)
00 = No Safety I/O; 22 = Safety I/O
j (284)
Brake
DB1 = Connectivity to IP67 DB Resistor; SBG = Source (EM) Brake
k (284)
Filter
EMI = EMI Filter
l (284)
Safety I/O Option (ES or GS only)
00 = No Safety I/O; 22 = Safety I/O

Communication Protocols

Supported industrial networks and field buses for the products covered by this publication.

EtherNet/IP (DLR) Dual-port embedded EtherNet/IP switch; D-coded M12 sealed connector; 10/100 Mbps auto-negotiate; supports Class 1 and Class 3 CIP connections; up to two Class 1 connections per PLC; min. 500 I/O packets/second; 20 ms RPI default; ODVA certified.

Certifications & Compliance

UL 508 (Bulletin 281) UL 508C (Bulletin 284) CSA C22.2, No. 14 EN/IEC 60947-4 EN/IEC 60947-4-1 EN61800-5-1 (Bulletin 284) EN61800-3 (Bulletin 284) CE Marked per Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EC EMC Directive 2014/30/EC (Bulletin 281); 2014/30/EU (Bulletin 284) CCC (Bulletin 281) ODVA for EtherNet/IP KC RCM TÜV

Document Contents

Full PDF covers the following topics in detail:

  • Product Description
  • Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS: Catalog Number Explanation
  • Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS: Wiring Diagrams
  • Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS: Approximate Dimensions
  • Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS: Technical Specifications
  • Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS: Motor Overload Trip Curves
  • Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS: Contactor Life Load Curves
  • Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS: Replacement Parts
  • Bulletin 284E/284ES/284GS: Catalog Number Explanation
  • Bulletin 284E/284ES/284GS: Wiring Diagrams
  • Bulletin 284E/284ES/284GS: Approximate Dimensions
  • Bulletin 284E/284ES/284GS: Technical Specifications
  • Bulletin 284E/284ES/284GS: Replacement Parts
  • Safety Data for ArmorStart ST Motor Controllers with Integrated Safety
  • ArmorStart ST Receptacle Pinouts

Frequently Asked Questions

What safety levels can the ArmorStart ST integrated safety version achieve?
The integrated safety version is capable of up to Category 4, PLe per EN ISO 13849-1, up to SIL 3 per IEC 61508, and SIL CL3 per EN 62061. The PFH for the Safe Torque Off function is 3.62E-09 (1/h) for the 281ES/GS starter and 3.56E-09 (1/h) for the 284ES/GS VFD, with a 20-year mission time.
What is the difference between the 281E and 284E ArmorStart ST models?
Bulletin 281E/281ES/281GS models are full-voltage and reversing starters used in applications that require across-the-line starting. Bulletin 284E/284ES/284GS models are variable frequency drives (VFDs) that provide regulated speed control of AC motors through selectable V/Hz or sensorless vector control (SVC).
What enclosure rating does the ArmorStart ST provide?
The ArmorStart ST offers an IP67 and UL Type 4/12/13 enclosure rating, which is suitable for water wash down environments when cable connectors or a sealing cap are in place.
What EtherNet/IP network capabilities does the ArmorStart ST support?
The ArmorStart ST provides an embedded dual-port EtherNet/IP switch using a sealed D-coded M12 connector. It operates at 10/100 Mbps with auto-negotiate, supports a minimum of 500 I/O packets per second, up to 150 concurrent TCP sockets, up to two Class 1 CIP connections per PLC, and six simultaneous Class 3 connections. The default RPI is 20 ms.
What safety ArmorBlock is used with the hardwired safety version of the ArmorStart ST?
The hardwired safety version is used with an Allen-Bradley Safety I/O ArmorBlock, catalog number 1732ES-IB12XOBV2 or 1732ES-IB8XOBV4. Over-molded cables from the Allen-Bradley 889N series connect the ArmorBlock to the ArmorStart units.
What is the operating temperature range and altitude rating for the Bulletin 284 VFD?
The Bulletin 284 VFD operates from -20…+40 °C (-4…+104 °F) with temperature derating available up to +50 °C. The standard altitude rating is 1000 m (3281 ft); altitude derating is available between 1000…2000 m (3281…6562 ft).
What overload protection classes are available on the ArmorStart ST full voltage starter?
The motor overload current parameter provides Class 10, 15, and 20 overload protection. Ambient insensitivity is inherent in the electronic design of the overload. If an overload fault occurs, it can require 60 seconds or more before a fault reset is allowed.

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