For most advanced or complex Altivar 61 applications, Schneider identifies Altivar Process ATV600 as the primary modernization route — ATV630 for the common open-style/IP21 category. But the correct replacement depends on enclosure, duty, communications, braking, dimensions and the original application, not just kW.
For most advanced or more complex Altivar 61 applications, Schneider Electric identifies the Altivar Process ATV600 family as the primary modernization route. For the common open-style/IP21 category, ATV630 is the main successor family. However, the correct replacement depends on enclosure, duty, communications, braking, dimensions and the original application. Do not treat ATV61 → ATV630 as a universal drop-in swap — the ATV600 family has different dimensions, safety terminals, communications/options and programming structure, and an ATV61 configuration file cannot simply be converted into an ATV630 file.
Schneider's published replacement guidance distinguishes the successor route by the form of the old ATV61 installation:
| Existing ATV61 installation | Schneider successor route | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| ATV61H... open-style drive | ATV630... (Altivar Process ATV600, IP21) | Main route for many pump/fan and process-drive applications |
| ATV61W... higher-protection drive | ATV650... (ATV600 family, IP55) | Check environmental/enclosure requirement rather than replacing by an IP21 unit |
| E-Flex / M-Flex / enclosed ATV61 system | ATV660... or another current enclosed-drive solution | Do not assume the bare drive alone can replace the complete enclosed system |
| ATV61 18-pulse / PowerGuard-type enclosed application | ATV680 low-harmonic or ATV980 AFE may be more appropriate | Schneider specifically warns against a simple retrofit of a new drive into some old 18-pulse enclosures |
| Very basic small pump/fan application | ATV212 may be considered in some cases | ATV212 is more limited; verify functions/options carefully |
Altivar 61 is a legacy/discontinued drive family. Schneider product records for individual ATV61 references show discontinued or end-of-commercialization status and, for many references, a recommended replacement. Lifecycle dates can vary by reference and country, so the exact ATV61 product page should be checked rather than applying one universal date to every model.
The following examples are taken from Schneider Electric's own product pages — useful for sourcing decisions and model-number search. They're manufacturer-published replacement examples, not a promise that every ATV61 of the same kW follows the same rule.
| ATV61 model | Legacy rating | Schneider replacement | Replacement rating | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATV61HU30N4 | 3 kW / 480 V family | ATV630U40N4 | 4 kW / 5 hp, 380–480 V, IP21 / UL Type 1 | Schneider lists this as the recommended replacement |
| ATV61HD37N4Z | 37 kW / 50 hp, 380–480 V, IP20 | ATV630D37N4 | 37 kW / 50 hp, 380–480 V, IP21 / UL Type 1 | Direct recommended replacement shown on Schneider product page |
| ATV61HD45N4 | 45 kW / 60 hp, 460 V family | ATV630D45N4 and/or ATV630D55N4 | 45 kW/60 hp or 55 kW/75 hp, 380–480 V | Schneider shows more than one replacement option; duty/application must be checked |
| ATV61HC16N4D | 250 hp / 460 V, no DC choke | ATV630C16N4 | 160 kW / 250 hp, 380–480 V, IP00 | Schneider product page lists ATV630C16N4 as replacement |
| ATV61HC22N4 | 350 hp, 400/480 V family | ATV630C20N4F + ATV630C25N4F group | 200 kW and 250 kW, 380–440 V, IP21 | Schneider lists a group of products rather than a single one-line substitute |
Schneider describes ATV61 as primarily a low-torque / variable-torque drive for applications such as pumps and fans. The ATV600 family is the usual modernization route for more advanced ATV61 applications, and can also be used on some constant-torque loads that don't require high starting current: pumps, fans and ventilation, water/wastewater process applications, general process machinery using variable-torque control, and some constant-torque applications after overload/current review.
Schneider states that ATV600 drives have separate Normal Duty and Heavy Duty ratings. Normal Duty is based on 110% overcurrent capacity for 60 seconds, while Heavy Duty reduces the usable power/current rating but provides 150% of the new current rating for 60 seconds. Do not select by kW/HP alone — an ATV61 and ATV630 can have similar nominal power yet different usable current depending on Normal Duty / Heavy Duty selection. Confirm motor current, starting torque and overload profile before ordering.
Schneider's ATV61 replacement FAQ highlights a major limitation: the ATV600 family does not provide the same provisions for connecting a dynamic braking resistor or using a DC-bus connection as the old ATV61 platform. If the original ATV61 application depends on dynamic braking, common DC bus, regenerative duty or frequent high-energy deceleration, do not quote a standard ATV630 solely from the old motor power — review the application and consider the appropriate Schneider process-drive / regenerative architecture.
Schneider explicitly warns that ATV630 dimensions can differ significantly from an ATV61 of the same horsepower — this matters in MCC buckets, E-Flex/M-Flex systems and tightly packed control cabinets. Check: overall height, width and depth; mounting-hole pattern; cable entry and cable bend radius; ventilation/clearance; existing door-mounted keypad position; and UL listing/certification implications if an enclosed assembly is modified.
Schneider offers migration mounting plates for ATV61/ATV71 → ATV600/ATV900. The VW3A93111...VW3A93120 migration-plate family is designed to let a current Altivar Process drive use the old mounting-hole pattern for supported frame combinations.
Schneider identifies a clear safety-interface difference: ATV61 used the PWR and +24 safety input arrangement, whereas the ATV600 platform uses STOA and STOB Safe Torque Off inputs. Any machine safety circuit must be checked against the current ATV600 safety manual and the actual risk assessment — do not copy the old ATV61 safety wiring blindly.
Electrical rating, enclosure, cables, safety, communication and parameter/application migration still require review — a migration plate addresses mechanical mounting only.
| Function | ATV61 | ATV630 / ATV600 |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic keypad | VW3A1101 | VW3A1111 |
| Remote mounting kit | VW3A1102 | VW3A1112 |
| Remote keypad cable | VW3A1104R10 / R30 / R50 / R100 | Same cable family can be used according to Schneider FAQ |
Schneider's FAQ states that SoMove does not convert an ATV61 program/configuration file into an ATV630 configuration file — the programming layout is different even though many underlying functions are similar. Save or document the ATV61 settings before removal: motor data, command/reference sources, ramps, PID functions, I/O assignments, limits and communication settings. Recreate and validate the required application behavior in the ATV630 — do not promise a file-import migration workflow.
Schneider specifically states that an ATV61 cannot simply be replaced by an ATV630 on PROFIBUS without reconfiguring the PLC. The device series uses different identifiers / GSD files and the process-data profile may differ.
| ATV61 / ATV71 example | ATV630 / ATV930 example | Migration impact |
|---|---|---|
| VW3A3307 / VW3A3307S371 PROFIBUS option | VW3A3607 PROFIBUS card | PLC hardware catalog / GSD must be updated |
| ATV61/71 identifier example 09CD | ATV630 identifier example 0E2E with its GSD | Old device cannot remain configured as if it were ATV61 |
| Legacy process-data profiles | ATV6xx profiles/telegrams differ | Scanner mapping / cyclic data should be checked |
A correct motor-drive replacement can still fail to run the machine if PLC device configuration, telegram/profile or scanner mapping is not migrated.
| Original ATV61 spare may still make sense when | ATV600 / ATV630 migration may make more sense when |
|---|---|
| Production must restart immediately and an exact verified unit is available | The machine will remain in service for years |
| No PLC, safety or cabinet changes can be accepted right now | Long-term lifecycle support matters |
| The old configuration is complex and downtime for migration is unacceptable | Engineering/commissioning changes can be planned |
| A short-term spare strategy is sufficient | Multiple ATV61 units are being standardized / modernized |
For an ATV61 replacement request, we separate the decision into four checks: original ATV61 availability (whether the exact legacy model is realistically available, and the source/condition risk); Schneider's official successor (checking Schneider's product-replacement page and modernization guidance for your exact reference); migration risk (duty, current, enclosure, dimensions, braking, safety, communication and programming, compared before you order); and — only if Schneider isn't mandatory — an alternative brand, evaluated once the real application and control architecture are understood.
Full ATV61 model number (e.g. ATV61HD37N4Z) · drive nameplate photo · motor nameplate photo · supply voltage and motor current · application (pump, fan, process machine, etc.) · normal/heavy-duty requirement if known · existing PROFIBUS/other fieldbus card and PLC model · dynamic braking resistor / DC bus information · safety wiring information · cabinet/MCC/enclosure photos and dimensions · ATV61 parameter or SoMove backup if available · quantity and destination country.
Schneider Electric — ATV61 & ATV71 to ATV600 or ATV900 or ATV340 modernization manual, Document EAV64336, Version 02, Sep 2025 · Schneider Electric — What product line replaces ATV61?, FAQ FA308448 · Schneider Electric — Mounting adapter / migration plate for ATV61/71 to ATV630/930, FAQ FA371258; Instruction Sheet MFR22528 · Schneider Electric — Can SoMove convert an ATV61 file into an ATV630 file?, FAQ FA338687 · Schneider Electric — ATV61 to ATV630 PROFIBUS migration, FAQ FA349083 · Schneider Electric product-replacement records for ATV61HU30N4 / ATV61HD37N4Z / ATV61HD45N4 / ATV61HC16N4D / ATV61HC22N4, se.com product pages.
Technical disclaimer: ElecBridge is an independent sourcing service and is not Schneider Electric. This page summarizes Schneider Electric's published modernization, product-replacement and FAQ information for practical sourcing use. It must not be presented as a guarantee of direct interchangeability. Final drive sizing, enclosure selection, safety wiring, braking, communication, cabinet modifications, programming and commissioning must be verified for the actual motor, machine and control system.
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