Parker AC690 has been widely used in industrial machinery requiring advanced motor control, programming, and PLC connectivity. However, the AC690 product series has been discontinued, making it increasingly difficult to source replacement units for existing operating systems.
Instead of continuing to rely on the older AC690, customers can transition to Parker AC20 or AC30 — newer platforms offering advanced control, programming, and communication capabilities, making them suitable for machine replacement and upgrade projects.
1. Parker AC20 – A Suitable Replacement Solution for AC690
Parker AC20 is a suitable option for replacing AC690 in many existing systems.
An important point is that the AC20 is not limited to simple control applications. With the DSELite programming environment, the AC20 provides a function block system that allows custom control programs to be developed according to application requirements.
The control functions implemented on the AC690 can be analyzed and reprogrammed on the AC20 using corresponding function blocks, helping maintain the machine’s control logic when transitioning to the new platform.
Therefore, when an AC690 needs to be replaced, customers can consider:
Parker AC690 → Parker AC20
without necessarily having to replace the entire machine control system.
2. AC20 and AC30 – Advanced Communication Capabilities
An important advantage of the AC20 and AC30 is their ability to integrate with automation systems through multiple communication protocols.
The systems can use:
- RS485 / Modbus RTU
- PROFIBUS
- PROFINET
- Other communication protocols depending on the configuration.
In particular, the AC20 and AC30 support PROFINET directly on the drive, without requiring an additional option module. This facilitates connection to PROFINET PLCs while reducing additional hardware requirements.
For example:
PLC → PROFINET → Parker AC20
or:
PLC → PROFINET → Parker AC30
For an existing AC690 system using PROFIBUS or RS485, the engineering team can survey the existing system architecture to determine an appropriate migration solution and, where necessary, remap the data exchanged between the PLC and the Drive.
3. Parker AC30 – A Powerful and Flexible AC Drive Platform
While the AC20 is a suitable solution for replacing the AC690, the AC30 is a more powerful and flexible AC Drive platform, designed for systems requiring higher levels of control, programming, and integration capabilities.
The AC30 provides the following capabilities:
- Control programming using Function Blocks.
- Development of application-specific machine functions.
- Control logic processing directly on the Drive.
- Integration with PLCs and automation systems.
- Support for multiple communication protocols.
- PROFINET directly on the Drive.
- Suitable for machine retrofit and upgrade projects.
With its programming capabilities and functional extensibility, the AC30 can serve as a broad replacement platform for various AC Drive series within the Parker ecosystem, not only the AC690.
4. Converting AC690 to AC20/AC30 Is More Than Simply Replacing the Drive
When carrying out a retrofit, the new Drive should not be selected based solely on the AC690’s power rating.
The following aspects should be reviewed:
- AC690 model and rated current.
- Motor power rating.
- Control mode.
- I/O currently in use.
- Control program implemented in the Drive.
- Existing PLC.
- RS485/Modbus.
- PROFIBUS.
- PROFINET or other communication protocols.
- Data exchanged between the PLC and Drive.
Based on this assessment, an appropriate migration approach can be developed:
AC690 → AC20
or
AC690 → AC30
The control program, communication configuration, I/O, and required functions can then be migrated and reconfigured according to the actual architecture of the machine.
5. Why Consider Migrating from AC690 to AC20 or AC30?
Continuing to source used AC690 drives only maintains a discontinued platform. In contrast, migrating to the AC20 or AC30 provides a newer platform with capabilities covering:
Control → DSELite Programming → Function Blocks → Communication → PLC → System Expansion
In particular, the AC20 can effectively meet the requirements of replacing the AC690, while the AC30 provides more advanced control and expansion capabilities, making it suitable for upgrade projects and systems requiring more advanced control solutions.
6. Parker Vietnam Supports AC690 Migration
Ky Thuat Viet Co., Ltd. – Parker Vietnam supplies and provides technical support for Parker AC20, AC30, and Drive retrofit solutions.
Our support includes:
- Checking the existing AC690 model.
- Consulting on the selection of AC20 or AC30.
- Analyzing the existing control program.
- DSELite programming.
- Developing Function Blocks.
- Consulting on RS485/Modbus, PROFIBUS, and PROFINET.
- Configuring PLC–Drive communication.
- Supporting wiring, commissioning, and on-site machine tuning.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of the Parker AC690 does not necessarily mean that customers have to replace the entire control system.
Parker AC20 is a suitable replacement solution, capable of meeting many of the AC690’s control and programming requirements through the DSELite platform, while also providing advanced communication capabilities.
Parker AC30 is a more powerful and flexible AC Drive platform, offering advanced programming, communication, and expansion capabilities. It can serve as a broader replacement platform for various Parker Drive series.
AC690 → AC20/AC30: Transition to a new platform while retaining the value of the existing system and expanding its control capabilities for future requirements.
