Industrial Inverters

Industrial InvertersIndustrial inverters are also known as variable speed drives, variable frequency drives, VFD’s, and adjustable speed drives. Industrial inverters are solid state motor control systems used mainly for industrial manufacturing. Variable speed drives are designed to control the speed of an electric motor. Variable speed drives can reduce energy costs up to 50% by speed reduction on applications where the full speed (RPM) of the electric motor is not required.

The energy saved on a utility bill from using an industrial inverter is often significant enough to pay for the inverter within a couple of months from installation date. Industrial inverters are commonly used on pump, fan, and air compressor applications, and are often put into production at manufacturing facilities to increase or decrease the start up time on alternating current (AC) electric motors.

Increasing and/or decreasing the start up time on an AC electric motor via an inverter can add years to the motor’s overall lifespan. Using an industrial inverter can also improve efficiency on production demands. Industrial inverters provide the ability to control the frequency of starting and stopping an AC electric motor.This motor control capability provides a means by which an AC electric motor is only operating when needed. AC electric motors have a longer lifespan if they are not continuously operating when they do not need to be.

Types of Industrial Inverters

The most common type of industrial inverter is known as a V/Hz (volts per hertz), and are applied to applications such as fans, pumps, air compressors, and other related applications wherehigh starting torque is not required; V/Hz industrial inverters are also used on applications where full torque is not required when operating an electric motor lower than the motor’s rated speed (RPM). V/Hz industrial inverters are the most inexpensive type of industrial inverters. When choosing an industrial inverter it is crucial to remember that V/Hz inverters DO NOT provide full motor torque at low motor RPM.

Industrial InvertersOpen-Loop vector inverters are also known as “sensorless vector” inverters. Open loop vector inverters adapted the name “sensorless vector” because they do not use an external encoder for speed feedback to the motor for precise speed regulation. Open loop vector inverters are used in applications where high starting torque and full torque at low motor speed (RPM) is required. Open-Loop vector inverters operating a motor at zero RPM should not be used on crane or hoist applications. Most open-loop vector industrial inverters are used on CNC machines, mixers, mills, lathes, and other applications where high starting torque or full torque at low RPM is needed.Open loop vector inverters are usually more expensive than a V/Hz industrial inverters.

Closed-Loop vector industrial inverters are used in applications where precise speed regulation (0.01%) is needed, or in applications where extensive programming is needed. Closed-Loop vector inverters use an encoder on the electric motor to provide constant shaft position which sends a signal to inverter’s microprocessor. The encoder feedback allows the drive microprocessor to constantly control torque no matter how many RPM the motor is operating at. Closed-Loop vector industrial inverters are used to provide the motor to operate at full torque even at zero RPM. Closed-Loop vector inverters are commonly used on hoist and crane applications because crane and hoist motors must produce full torque prior the motor’s brake being released, otherwise the load will drop and the electric motor will not be able to stop.

Questions? Let Us Help. Call Toll Free at1-877-625-2402orE-Mail Sales and Support. Precision Electric offers free inverter repair and replacement quotes. All repair work performed by Precision Electric includes a 12 month warranty.