The 6SL3520-0XM01-5AF0 is a 1.5 kW SINAMICS G115D distributed frequency converter — the top of the FSA frame size range. With 4.1 A of continuous output current in a 380×216×129 mm housing weighing just 5.5 kg, it is the most powerful drive available in the compact FSA form factor. All FSA drives use passive cooling through the aluminum enclosure — no fan, no filter, no rotating parts — making them mechanically the simplest drives in the G115D family.

When does 1.5 kW FSA make more sense than stepping up to 2.2 kW FSB?

The 1.5 kW FSA and the 2.2 kW FSB sit on opposite sides of the frame-size boundary. If your motor is 1.5 kW or below, the FSA is the mechanically simpler choice: it is smaller (380×216 mm vs. 425×240 mm), lighter (5.5 kg vs. 7.12 kg), and uses the same passive cooling principle. The FSB adds 0.7 kW of headroom but also adds 1.6 kg and a larger mounting footprint. In conveyor applications where 1.5 kW is sufficient and space is tight — such as between roller beds or inside machine frames — the FSA's smaller dimensions are the deciding factor. Move to FSB only when the motor power demands it.

What is the typical application for a 1.5 kW distributed drive?

At 1.5 kW, the G115D FSA covers the upper range of light conveyor applications: powered roller sections, belt conveyors under 10 m, accumulating conveyors, and packaging machine infeed/outfeed belts. The 4.1 A output supports standard IEC frame 90 motors — the most common frame size for 1.5 kW four-pole motors — paired with a SIMOGEAR helical or parallel-shaft geared motor. In a distributed architecture, mounting the drive near the motor on the conveyor frame replaces a centralized VFD panel and long shielded motor cables, reducing both installation cost and EMC compliance effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 1.5 kW FSA include a braking resistor?

Yes. All G115D FSA drives include an integrated braking resistor sized for the power rating. The 1.5 kW model's internal resistor handles occasional deceleration stops on light-to-medium conveyor loads. For frequent braking or decline conveyors, an external braking resistor can be connected — the minimum external resistance value is listed in the G115D operating instructions.

How does the FSA G115D handle washdown environments?

The IP65/IP66 and UL Type 4X enclosure ratings make the FSA G115D suitable for washdown areas in food and beverage conveyor applications. The sealed aluminum housing has no ventilation openings — all cooling is through the enclosure surface. Use stainless steel cable glands for compatibility with cleaning chemicals, and mount the drive with the cable entries facing downward to prevent liquid pooling at the gland entry points.