All About VFDs Brand Spotlight

Last Call For Lenze SMVector, What You Should Know

Theresa Hoffman

March 25, 2026

It's natural to feel uneasy when a vendor announces that a products is being phased out or replaced. You Often have a lot of questions with the most pressing being: Will the new part match the form, fit and function of the original?

Last year we got the news from Lenze that they are transitioning their SMVector series to the i510 and i550 protect series drives.

Last orders for the SMVector will be May 1,2026: that's right around the corner, so here's what you need to know.

What's Changed?

SMVector Migration Lenze has gone above and beyond to support customers customers during this transition. Designed with simplicity in mind, the i510 and i550 drives serve as a drop-in replacement for many SMVector units.

However, there's a catch: the wiring and programming have changed. Don't set off any alarm bells just yet, Lenze has fantastic resources to guide you through the process, making sure it's a smooth upgrade.

Drive Installation Notes From Lenze

Drive Installation: Your new drive features the same mounting holes as your SMVector drive for easy replacement. Before starting installation, please review the following variables. Specifically, the motor wiring will be different; therefore, watching this short video will walk you through the mounting and wiring to ensure safe operation of your new drive.

SAFETY NOTE: Motor wiring on the i510 protec and i550 protec differs from the SMVector.

To start the migration, identify your current SMVector and collect the necessary technical information (detailed below). With this information, move forward to the product selection process.

Step 1: Tell us about your SMVector (Input type code, material ID or drive attributes
Step 2: Option modules for your SMVector. Let us know about any optional modules you used with the SMVector
Step 3: Dynamic Braking in your application. Are you using dynamic braking?

Why Migrate to i510 and i550 Drives?

The i510 and i550 protec drives are designed to build on the SMVector’s legacy while addressing modern automation challenges. Key benefits include:

Improved Performance: Enhanced control algorithms and energy efficiency meet the Ecodesign Directive (EN IEC 61800-9-2) for sustainable operation.
Cost-Effective Design: 85% of components are sourced in North America, maintaining a competitive price.
Compact and Compatible: Most models feature the same mounting hole pattern as the SMVector, simplifying installation.
Robust Features: The i550 protec offers IP66/NEMA 4X protection for harsh environments, ideal for dusty or wet applications like textiles.
UL Certification: Both drives comply with the UL61800-5-1 standard, ensuring safety and reliability.

The i510 is designed for simpler applications (0.25–22 kW), while the i550 supports complex speed/torque needs up to 75 kW, including IO-Link V1.1 for Industry 4.0 integration.

Have an SMVector? We're here to help during this transition.