‘Variable Frequency Drives Introduction Page 1 of 3 Variable Frequency Drives Introduction “OEE progrems What s a Variable Frequency Drive? oo For kids Sioa Room ~«‘Adting a variable frequency dive (VFO) to @ motor ‘ven ystem can offer aoletal energy savings ‘a sysiom inwich the loads vary with ims. VFO bolong toa group of equipment called adustabe spood drives or variable ‘Speed drives. (Variable speed ces can be elecncal or mecnanical, \heteas VEDs are electical) The operating speed of a motor carnected to £8 VED Is varied by changing the frequency ofthe motor supply votage. This ‘lows continuous procets speed contro Moterdriven systems ae often designed to handle peak loads that have 3 factor. This olen eads to energy inefcancy n sytem thal operate for extended period at ecuced load The ably to adjust motor spend stables closer macring ef moor opto kad and fen resus energy Savings How Does a VED Work? Incuction motors, the workhorses of industry, rotate at a fixed speed that is Gotermined bythe Requoncy ofthe supply volage. Aerating curont fspplied to the sett windings produces @ magnetic ed thal oles at Synctrorous speed This speed may be caluated by diviang ine {fequency by the number of magnetic pole pars n the motor winding. A {our-pole motr, for example, has two poe pais, and therefore the magnetic ‘eld wil rotate 60 H=/2 = 35 revolutions par satan or 1800 rpm, The ‘otor fan induction motor wil atop o follow tis lating magnetic fet, ‘an, under lad, the rotor speed sips" sighily behing the rolaing fed. Tis ‘mal sp speed generates an Induced current, andthe resulting magnetic filed in the rotor preauoes tau Since an inducton motor rotates near synchronous speed, the most ‘ec end energr-effctent way te change the molar speed isto change ‘he trequency ofthe applied vollage. VFDs convert the fxedsrequancy supply voltage toa continuously varable frequency. thereby allowing ‘astable motor speed, [AVEO converts SOHs power, or example to new frequency in two ‘stagos. tho rectifier stage andthe verter stage. The conversion process Inenrporats free functions «+ Rectifier stage: A ful-wave, st-stte rectifier converte tree-ghaeo http: [Link]-ca/indusrial/[Link]?att=24 1213/2008‘Variable Frequency Drives Inwoduction Page 2 0f3 60 He powar fom a standars 208, 460, 575 or higher uty supply 10 ‘ther fixed or agustabve OC voltage. The system may inctuse Transformers itigher supply volapes are used + lavertr stage: Electronic switches - power transistors or thyristors = wich the rected DC on and of and produce a cutent or vatage wavelorm at the desved new frequency. The amaunt of distortion depends on the desion ofthe inverter an fier. ‘Control systom: An slectroic uit receives feedback information ‘fom the avon motor and aust the ouput volago or foquaney the solocied values. Usually the cutout votnge is regulated to produce a constant ratio of voltage frequency (ViFz). Contolers ‘may incorparale many complax con fanctons. Converting DC to variable frequency AC is accomplished using an inverter. ‘Most curenty avalabi inverters use puisa wich modulation (PWM). DDecaus he output curent waveform elosly approximates & sine Wave. Power samicanduciars switch DC veltage at high speed, producing 9 sees of shot- duration pulsos of constart amplitude, Ouput votage is varied by ‘hanging the wid enc polany ofthe switched pulses. Oupusfrequency Is ‘ausied by changing ie swiching cyeia time, The resutg cuter in an inauetve motor amulais a tine wave of tha dated out equeney eb Figure 1), The high-speed switching ofa PWM inverter results n lass "wavetorm distorion aa, therefore, lower hamonic losses “The availabilty of low-cost high-speed switching power transistors has made PWM the dominart were Ye. Figure 4. Inverters Pulee Width Modulation Output Votage, Line ccurent | be PWM Wavetorm Applications Variable speed crves are used fortwo main reasons: + to}mprove the efcienoy of motorcrven equipment by matching speed to changing load requirements, or « IDalow accurate and coranuous process contol over 9 wise range of spoeds. Motor-rven cantitugal pumps, fans and blowers offer the most dramatic ‘energy-saving opportunites, Many of thase operate fr extended periods at ‘recused load win fiow rested or otied In thase certrtuge machines, Intp:[Link]. ge caindustria/[Link]?attr-24 2572008Variable Frequency Drives Introduction Page 3 of 3 nergy consumption is eropotinal othe cube of the flow rate. Even sma ‘edustons in speed andfow can result n signseant energy savings. fn ‘hese eppieatons signicant energy and coal savings canbe achieved by reducing the oporatng speed when the process low roquremerts are towor In some application, such 2s conveyers, machine tools end other roductionine equpment the Denes of accurate speed corral re the primary consideration VFDs can increase productly, mprove product ually and process contol, and reduce mainnance and dounime. Bocreasing cost and inceasing relabilty of power semiconaucter ‘lectonica are reasons hat VFDS ae increasingly selected over DC motors brother aqustabie speed dives for process speed oat appleations Manufacturers Assocaton (NEMA) design B squirel cage iduction motors. {Design 8 motors have both locked rotor forque and locked rotor current thet ere normal) Devating may be requ for other types of motors. Rua recommended er NEMA design D motors because ao ty Meta eia Additional Benefits of VFDs {In ston to energy savings and better process cortol, VFO can provide ‘ner benetts: ‘+ AVFO may be used fer conto of process temperature pressure oF ffow wntnou te use of a separate contol, Sutabe sensors ard ‘electronics are used i interface the driven equipment wih the VED. ‘+ Matorance costs canbe lower, sinc lower operabng speeds osu inlonger ie for bearings and motors. Elmnatingthe toting valves and dampers also does away with ‘mainiaining hese davioes and al assonated convols «+ Rot etre forthe motor ena longer required. {Controlled amp-up speed ina bqud system can ebinete water bammer problems. + The ably ofa VED to it torque to a user-selected level can rota aren equppment tat cannot tolarata excaesive org Next: How Much Wi Save? Date modified: 2006-02-16 parte nica fnnp:/[Link]/indusrial/equipmenvvfdindex ty tau=24 23/2008