AC servo drive
Control Techniques Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702 AC servo drive
High-performance AC and servo drive from 0.75 kW to 2.8 MW across 200–690 V classes, with RTMoE drive-to-drive Ethernet at 250 µs, a 62 µs current loop, dual encoder inputs and STO to SIL 3 / PL e.
Key specifications
| Ingress protection | IP20 standard; through-panel IP65 (frames 3–8) |
|---|---|
| Temperature | -20–55 °C |
| Power | 750–2,800,000 W |
| Supply | 200, 400, 575, 690 V classes |
| Feedback | 2 inputs: resolver, SinCos, incremental, EnDat 2.2/3, SSI, HIPERFACE, BiSS-C |
| Fieldbus | EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET RT, RTMoE (M700/M702); RS485 (M701); EtherCAT option |
| Current (max) | 865 A |
| Safety | MiS210 option: STO, SBC, SOS, SS1, SS2, SLS, SSM, SLA, SDI, SLP, SES |
| Safe torque off | STO, SIL 3 / PL e (dual-channel on M702) |
| Overload | heavy duty 200% for 3 s |
Summarised in our own words from Nidec Corporation's published data; series maxima, individual models vary. Last checked 2026-10-30. Source 1
Notes on this data
55 °C with derating; 40 °C without. Higher powers by paralleled modules.
Specify Motion is not affiliated with Nidec Corporation. Control Techniques and Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702 are used only to identify the product. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Typical applications
Engineer support
Speak to our engineers about your project
Our experienced engineers are on hand, ready to help with your project. Whether you need the Control Techniques Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702 itself, help sourcing it, or a modified or custom design built around your load, speed and space, tell us what the machine has to do and we'll come back with the right option.
- Help sourcing Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702 and spares for installed machines
- Modified and custom designs when a catalogue part doesn't fit
- Complete axis: motor, drive, gearing and feedback matched together
What an AC servo drive is
An AC servo drive, or servo amplifier, powers and controls a servo motor from mains supply. It rectifies the AC input to a DC bus, then uses an inverter of power transistors switched by PWM to produce controlled three-phase current in the motor. Nested current, velocity and position loops use encoder feedback to follow commands from pulse and direction, analogue or industrial Ethernet. Modern drives add auto-tuning, vibration suppression and safety functions such as safe torque off.
When engineers choose an AC servo drive
Choose an AC servo drive for mains-powered machines with servo axes from tens of watts to many kilowatts, such as packaging, machine tools and robotics. It gives precise, dynamic control with standard industrial interfaces. The trade-offs are cabinet space, wiring, EMC measures and the need to match motor and feedback. For low-voltage or mobile machines, a DC drive is more suitable; for many axes in one cabinet, a multi-axis drive may save space.
How to specify the Control Techniques Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702
Send these with your enquiry and an engineer can confirm the right Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702 variant or an equivalent:
- Supply voltage and phases (V AC)
- Continuous and peak output current (A rms)
- Motor and feedback compatibility
- Command interface: pulse, analogue, EtherCAT, PROFINET and so on
- Safety functions, such as STO, and their rating (SIL, PL)
- Braking resistor and regenerative energy (W, J)
- Ambient temperature, mounting and cooling
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sizing on motor rated current without the drive's peak duration
- Ignoring regenerative energy on fast decelerations or vertical axes
- Leaving out EMC filtering and screened motor cables
- Mixing motor and encoder types the drive does not support
Control Techniques Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702: frequently asked questions
What is the Control Techniques Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702?
High-performance AC and servo drive from 0.75 kW to 2.8 MW across 200–690 V classes, with RTMoE drive-to-drive Ethernet at 250 µs, a 62 µs current loop, dual encoder inputs and STO to SIL 3 / PL e. Published series figures include temperature -20 °C, temperature 55 °C, power 750 W, power 2,800,000 W. It is made by Nidec Corporation; Specify Motion can help source it or propose an equivalent.
Who makes the Control Techniques Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702?
The Control Techniques Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702 is made by Control Techniques (Nidec Corporation) and is listed here for engineers comparing options. Specify Motion is not affiliated with Nidec Corporation; brand names are used only to identify the product.
What is the temperature of the Control Techniques Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702?
The published series minimum temperature is -20 °C. Individual models and sizes in the Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702 range vary, so check the exact variant against your duty cycle, mounting and environment, or ask our engineers to confirm the right size for you.
Is there an alternative to the Control Techniques Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702?
Yes. Our engineers can propose an equivalent built around your load, speed and environment. An engineer confirms the fit against your application before recommending anything.
Does a servo drive need a braking resistor?
When a servo motor decelerates, it acts as a generator and returns energy to the drive's DC bus. If the bus capacitors cannot absorb it, the voltage rises and the drive trips. A braking resistor dissipates the energy as heat. Fast decelerations, high inertia and vertical axes usually need one.
What is safe torque off on a servo drive?
Safe torque off, or STO, is a safety function that removes power that could produce torque at the motor, without disconnecting the drive supply. It is defined in IEC 61800-5-2 and used as part of a machine's safety system. Check the safety level achieved and wiring requirements.
Further reading: How to select a servo drive · How to select a servo motor · Servo drives
Other ac servo drive series
Spec builder
Specify what you need instead of Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702
Select every part you need, answer the questions an applications engineer would ask, and see your summary before we ask for any details.
- 1Products
- 2Performance
- 3Environment
- 4Volumes
- 5Your spec
Engineer support
Our engineers are ready to help with your project
Tell us about your project and how you use the Control Techniques Unidrive M700 / M701 / M702: the load, speed, duty and environment. An experienced engineer will review it and reply, normally within one working day.
- Reviewed by an engineer, not an autoresponder
- Like-for-like and better-fit alternatives
- Standard, modified and custom options
Prefer to configure it? Use the spec builder.