Schneider Electric VW3A3607 Altivar Communication Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Schneider Electric VW3A36xx Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Schneider Electric VW3A36xx communication card series is the standardized plug-in interface range designed for the Altivar ATV61 and ATV71 variable speed drive platforms. These drives are deployed at scale across global heavy industry sectors including petrochemical refining, nuclear auxiliary systems, offshore platforms, water treatment infrastructure, and continuous-process manufacturing. The VW3A36xx cards enable fieldbus integration between the drive's internal control logic and plant-level SCADA, DCS, and PLC architectures. Their slot-based installation architecture — no external wiring harness required — made them the preferred communication solution for large-scale multi-drive installations where commissioning time and bus topology consistency are critical operational parameters.

The Evolution of VW3A36xx Architecture

The VW3A36xx range was introduced alongside the ATV61 platform in the early 2000s as Schneider Electric's response to the proliferation of industrial fieldbus standards. Early deployments centered on Modbus Plus (VW3A3616) and CANopen (VW3A3608), reflecting the dominant protocols in European process industries at that time. As PROFIBUS DP became the de facto standard in German and Scandinavian heavy industry, the VW3A3607 emerged as the highest-volume SKU in the range, providing PROFIBUS DP V1 compliance with cyclic and acyclic data exchange capability up to 12 Mbit/s.

The subsequent generation of Altivar drives — the ATV320, ATV340, ATV630, and ATV930 — migrated to embedded fieldbus interfaces and the VW3A3xxx plug-in card architecture was not carried forward. This transition places the entire VW3A36xx series in the mature-to-end-of-life phase of its product lifecycle. Installed base volumes remain high, however, as ATV61 and ATV71 drives continue to operate in facilities with 15–25 year asset replacement cycles. Sourcing replacement VW3A36xx cards from specialist distributors is the primary maintenance strategy for these sites.

VW3A36xx Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent the verified communication card range for the Altivar ATV61 and ATV71 platforms. Each entry reflects a distinct fieldbus protocol or interface standard.

VW3A3607: PROFIBUS DP V1 communication card, 12 Mbit/s, cyclic + acyclic data exchange, DB9 connector.
VW3A3608: CANopen communication card, DS402 drive profile, 1 Mbit/s max, RJ45 connector.
VW3A3609: DeviceNet communication card, Group 2 slave, 500 kbit/s, 5-pin open-style connector.
VW3A3610: Modbus/TCP – Ethernet communication card, 10/100 Mbit/s, RJ45, dual-port.
VW3A3616: Modbus Plus communication card, peer-to-peer token-passing network, DB9 connector.
VW3A3618: INTERBUS communication card, ring topology, optical or copper interface.
VW3A3619: FIPIO communication card, FIP fieldbus, used in legacy Schneider TSX/Premium PLC environments.
VW3A3620: Ethernet/IP communication card, CIP protocol, 10/100 Mbit/s, RJ45.
VW3A3621: PROFINET IO communication card, RT class 1, 100 Mbit/s, RJ45.
VW3A3622: BACnet/IP communication card, ASHRAE 135 compliant, for HVAC and building automation integration.
VW3A3627: LonWorks communication card, FTT-10A transceiver, 78 kbit/s, for building management systems.
VW3A3628: AS-Interface (AS-i) communication card, slave module, 31-node network support.
VW3A3629: CC-Link communication card, Ver. 1.10 compliant, for Mitsubishi MELSEC PLC environments.
VW3A3630: SERCOS II communication card, fiber optic ring, for motion-coordinated drive applications.
VW3A3631: Modbus Serial (RS-485) extended communication card, multi-drop, 19.2 kbit/s max.
VW3A3701: Encoder feedback card (HTL/TTL), used in conjunction with communication cards for closed-loop speed control.
VW3A3702: Resolver feedback card, for high-accuracy torque and position control on ATV71 platform.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete VW3A36xx Parts

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for the VW3A36xx series, recognizing that Schneider Electric's standard distribution channels have progressively reduced stock depth for these cards as the ATV61/ATV71 platform approaches end-of-support. Our sourcing model operates across three tiers: new-old-stock (NOS) units sourced from authorized channel closeouts, factory-refurbished units processed through our in-house repair center, and tested-used units recovered from decommissioned drive systems with full functional verification.

For facilities operating ATV61 or ATV71 drives in critical process loops — where an unplanned drive communication failure results in production shutdown — DriveKNMS offers consignment stocking agreements. Under this arrangement, pre-tested VW3A36xx cards are held at our warehouse against a facility's specific protocol requirements, with guaranteed dispatch within 24 hours of a breakdown call. This service is particularly relevant for PROFIBUS DP (VW3A3607) and Ethernet/IP (VW3A3620) variants, which represent the highest failure-frequency SKUs in the range based on our service history.

Quality Control for the VW3A36xx Range

Each VW3A36xx card processed through DriveKNMS undergoes a protocol-specific functional test sequence before dispatch. Cards are installed into a live ATV71 test drive configured to match the target fieldbus environment. For the VW3A3607 (PROFIBUS DP), the test sequence includes master-slave address assignment, GSD file parameter download, cyclic data exchange verification at 1.5 Mbit/s and 12 Mbit/s, and acyclic read/write of drive parameter objects via DP-V1 Class 2 services. Backplane connector integrity is verified under insertion force measurement to detect pin fatigue common in cards removed and reinstalled multiple times. Firmware revision is checked against Schneider Electric's compatibility matrix for the target drive software version. All test results are logged and accompany the unit as a test certificate on dispatch.

For sourcing inquiries, technical compatibility questions, or consignment stocking discussions regarding the VW3A36xx series: