Variable Frequency Drive Information

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Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are electronic devices used to control the speed of an Alternating Current Motor (AC Motor). Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are also commonly known as adjustable frequency drives, adjustable speed drives, AC drives and inverters.
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) have a wide range of application use that include, but are not limited too:
Variable Air Volume Systems
Circulating Pumps for Hot Water Heating Systems
Chilled Water Circulating Pumps
Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
Injection-molding Equipment
Air Compressors
Conveyors
Chillers
Cooling Towers
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) operate as load controls within these applications that may accomplish up to a 50% reduction in energy costs. In general, an electric motor will turn at a rate proportional to the frequency of the alternating current (AC) applied to it. The majority of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) in the market today contain electronic circuitry that converts a 60Hz Line power into direct current. The VFD converts this line power into a pulsed output voltage that duplicates varying alternating current to a desired frequency.
Advances in technology over the past decade have allowed for Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to become a very cost efficient way to reduce energy costs and increase system efficiencies. More and more companies within a wide range of industries are finding more ways to apply Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to their applications.
For an even more in depth explanation of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), it is highly recommended that you visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable-frequency_drive

If you have found Precision Electric on the web chances are you need a variable frequency drive replaced, serviced, or maybe you don’t even know what a variable frequency drive is.

Variable Frequency Drives are electronic devices used to control the speed of an Alternating Current Motor; typically these AC electric motors are used for industrial manufacturing. Variable Frequency Drives can also be known as inverters, electronic soft start devices, VFDs, adjustable speed drives and/or AC drives.

Variable Frequency Drives have a wide range of application use in several different industries. Here are a few of the more common applications and industries drives are used in:

Variable Frequency Drives operate as load controls within these applications that may accomplish up to 50% reduction in energy costs. In general, an electric motor will turn at a rate proportional to the frequency of the alternating current (AC) applied to it. The majority of Variable Frequency Drives in the market today contain electronic circuitry that converts a 60Hz Line power into direct current. The VFD converts this line power into a pulsed output voltage that duplicates varying alternating current to a desired frequency.

Advances in technology over the past decade have allowed for Variable Frequency Drives to become a cost efficient way to reduce energy costs and increase system efficiencies. Today manufacturing around the globe within a wide range of industries are finding more ways to apply Variable Frequency Drives to their manufacturing equipment.

For an even more in depth explanation of Variable Frequency Drives go toWikipedia.

RyanChamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

AC Tech mc series manual & Lenze smvector drive

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If you need any AC Tech variable frequency drive literature, everything you’re looking for can be found right here on our website. Simply click the Manuals tab in the top right corner of this page. The following AC Tech literature can be found here: on our website.

SMV Series
Sub Micro Series
MC Series
MCH Series

All of the literature that AC Tech has available on their website, is available on our website. Precision Electric also has digital documentation available for Lenze products, Baldor products, and other manufacturers’ literature whom we work with. If you need specific documentation and you cannot find it elsewhere, send me an email request.

Precision Electric service fliers, brochures, line cards and other related documentation is available here on our website via PDF. If you click the Capabilities tab in the top right corner of this page you will be able to download these files. If you do not find the information you need on our website, email me, and I’ll do my best to help.

RyanChamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

Variable frequency drive torque control inverter vfd

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Weve Been Servicing the Industrial World Since 1983.
Minimize Your Downtime. Maximize Your Productivity

Call Toll Free: 1.877.625.2402

Customers of Precision Electric have been using variable frequency drives to better control torque on electric motor applications for a number of years. This posting is to help you decide what type of variable frequency drive will work best for your application.

For a new VFD application:

  • Research the motor andVFD specifications.
  • Research yourapplication requirements.
  • Learn more abouttheVFD products that are available to you.
  • Understand thefeatures of thoseVFD products to determinewhatis an appropriate solutionfor yourapplication.

There are a several different types of Variable Frequency Drives. The following is a short summary ofthe three different types of drives that are available, and when these types of drives should be considered in an application:

V/Hz (Volts per Hertz) Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

The most commonly used and most basic VFDavailable; this product is for a basic applicationinpumps, fans, conveyors, blowers and others. These applicationsdo not require high starting torque, full motor torque at low rpm, and/or speed feedback. Most V/Hz VFDshave adequate programming features for many applications. Be certain adequate I/O and programming features are available to meet your application requirements. This product is an inexpensive alternative to a phase converter since they will acceptsingle phase input while providingthree phase output.

Sensorless (Open Loop)Vector Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

The next VFDtype that is commonly used in a lathe, mill or any applicationwhere full torque is require throughout the motor speed range.Sensorless Vector VFDsareare also referred toas open loop vector drives; these drives are morecomplex than V/Hz drives and should always be applied to applicationswhere high starting torque and/or full torque operating at lowRPM is required. If speed feedback and/or extremely complex programming must be considered in your applicationyouCANNOT use a sensorless vector VFD. Sensorlessvector/open-loop vector VFDsdo offer complex programming to a certain degree, but when your applicationexceeds sensorless vectorprogramming features, there is a third solution.

Closed Loop Vector Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

This next level of VFDsare more advanced. Applicationsthat require accurate speed regulation and feedback from the motor and/or require complex programming will require a closed-loop vector drive. Thistype of VFDis often offered as a “three in one” and able to operate in all operating modes.

  • V / Hz (Volts per Hertz)
  • Sensorless (Open Loop)Vector and
  • Closed Loop Vector

These products are complex and extremely efficient when properly applied. Used in the most complex, advancedmanufacturing facilitiesacrossthe world, closed-loop vector technology has few limitsin drive technology. The product features are phenomenal. Applicationswhere these products are utilized provide superior speed regulation and torque performance.

Before choosing a drivefor your applicationconsult with a qualified integrator, distributor, or manufacturer who will ask all the right questions and make an appropriate recommendation. Here at Precision Electric Inc we offer proper service and telephone support from when you, or your qualified electrician, are setting up the drive for your application. Call us today.

Ryan Chamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]
Call Toll Free: 1.877.625.2402

Infrared thermography testing services

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Infrared inspections provide a means to view systems (electrical, mechanical, building envelopes) under normal operating conditions to identify abnormally hot (or cool) areas or components. This is a powerful maintenance tool. In many instances, equipment failure is preceded by a period of increasing heat. This is especially true of electrical equipment.

With infrared thermography you can identify overheating electrical connections and other machine components, scheduling repairs to be made during planned downtime. This increases reliability and productivity for the entire operation.

This thermogram shows a loose connection of the lug on incoming power supply. Operating equipment with loose connections can
cause many problems, some damages could be un-repairable

Financial Savings

  • Fewer interruptions while in operation mean more uptime and greater productivity.
  • Equipment problems are fixed before they fail and damage or destroy the rest of the machine.
  • Identifying developing problems and planning the repairs results in fewer panic situations, those costly predicaments that force excessive overtime and monetary premiums for emergency rush equipment orders.

This thermogram shows a loose fuse clip that needs tightened or replaced. Loose fuse clips could lead to serious equipment damages.

Safety

  • An industrial process that runs reliably and without surprises produces a safer work environment. Many industrial processes are complex and run at high speed. A sudden failure on one machine can have a cascading effect of failures that may include flying debris.
  • Fire avoidance. Overheated electrical connections can start fires. You may have heard of a fire in your area that it was caused by faulty wiring. This means many things including bad design and overloaded circuits. It also commonly means a bad electrical connection that was overheating and was not found in time.

Other advantages of thermography:

  • Shows a visual picture so temperatures over a large area can be compared
  • Able to find deteriorating: (higher temperature components prior to their failure)
  • Measure or observe in areas inaccessible or hazardous for other methods
  • Non-destructive test method
  • Locate defects in shafts, pipes, and other metal or plastic parts

Call Precision Electric, and schedule infrared thermography services to prevent unnecessary damages to your industrial equipment.

Ryan Chamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]
Call Toll Free: 1.877.625.2402