Technician checks variable frequency drive parameters during preventive maintenance
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What Are Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)?

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Industrial operations depend on electric motors for almost every moving part on the plant floor. Nevertheless, many of those motors still run at a single, inefficient speed while operators throttle flow…
Technician scrolling a VFD programming menu on an ABB keypad
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VFD Programming Guide: Faster Setup, Fewer Faults

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) save enormous energy and deliver precise motor speed, yet many technicians still groan when they see a flashing cursor on a drive keypad. The root cause is almost always VFD programming because it is the art of translating real‑world requirements into hundreds of device‑specific parameters. Our latest cross‑brand study shows the wrong interface or manual can add hours of downtime and thousands in lost production. Consequently, this mobile‑friendly guide distills that whitepaper into clear actions you can take today.
Technician inspecting VFD control wiring
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VFD Won’t Start? Fix Control Wiring Errors Fast

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Understanding Why Your VFD Won’t Start Nothing frustrates a maintenance crew faster than pressing the start button and watching the motor sit idle. If your VFD won’t start, the culprit is usually…

Compressor Speed Control Products – Repair Or Replace?

A compressor speed control is also known as a VFD, variable frequency drive, adjustable speed drive, or an inverter. To repair the compressor speed control, unique experience and training are needed. Repairing a compressor speed control should…
VFD Drives For Dummies

VFD Drives For Dummies

VFD Drives For Dummies: VFD is an abbreviation that stands for "variable frequency drives". VFD Drives are also called "variable speed drives", "adjustable speed drives", "electric motor speed controllers", and "inverters". VFD Drives For Dummies:…
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How Do VFDs Work

How Do VFDs Work? A variable frequency drive is also known as a VFD, variable speed drive, adjustable speed drive, electronic motor controller, or an inverter.  How do VFDs work? Every VFD is unique with its own component characteristics so…
The SMVector Series drive is one of the most cost effective and versatile choices for controlling your motors start and stop method.
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6 Step Basic Setup Of An SMV Variable Frequency Drive

The SMVector Variable Frequency Drive is our product of choice for the majority of customer's applications. There are a number of factors that make us consider it the best option in the market today. One reason it that it's extremely cost…

ABB Frequency Converters

ABB Frequency Converters are used to change the frequency and magnitude of the constant grid voltage to a variable load voltage. Frequency converters are especially used in variable frequency AC motor drives. Figure 1 shows the…

What is a Variable Speed Drive?

Variable speed drives are also known as variable frequency drives, VFD's, adjustable speed drives,  and inverters. Variable speed drives are solid state motor control systems used mainly for industrial manufacturing. Variable speed drives are…

Reading VFD Nameplate Data Off Of Your SMVector Drive (Video)

For those of you who are familiar or unfamiliar with Lenze / AC Techs SMVector series drive they have come a long way since their conception. All AC Tech products are manufactured in Uxbridge Massachusettes. Today we discuss how to read the…

FAQ :: VFDs | How Do I Derate Three Phase Inputs For Single Phase Applications?

Often times those using a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) may find themselves needing to connect a higher horsepower VFD to a single phase input power source.  Since most higher horsepower VFDs only accept three phase input as a power…

VFDs How Do I Calculate RPM For Three Phase Induction Motors?