News :: Industrial | Economy Drives Markets to Seek Online Alternatives

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It has become common knowledge that the poor economy is causing businesses all over the United States to suffer. As a result of the credit crunch, industrial manufacturing, automation, processing, and other related markets have been seeking alternatives, and found them online. Historically, industrial markets have relied heavily on the local businesses they have been accustomed to for decades.

The enormous growth of the internet as a form of research and alternative shopping has begun to drive these industrial markets to seek online alternatives. Many are learning they have been losing thousands of dollars over the past 20 years by seeking no other alternative. Now many are taking a chance.

“It really is an exciting time,” states Craig Chamberlin, marketing manager of VFDDistributing.com, “many of our customers are reluctant to try alternatives because they assume online businesses will not provide the quality of service they find in their local shops. Now we have an opportunity to show we’ve stayed successful for 20 years by looking out for our customers.” VFDDistributing.com offers online drive sales but they are expanding all their services to their online customer base.

Excited, Craig states,“If they give us a chance, we can show them that we are extremely experienced in working in the field and offering extremely competitive pricing.” Their parent company, Precision Electric, is a one stop shop for everything ranging from Motor Repair to Panel Building and Complete Automation. All of these services which are made available to the customers they make online.

People are excited about it. Industries such as OEMs, industrial manufacturing, food, wood and steel processing, automation have a new way to cut costs, save time, and have the technical support they deserve. One customer says, “All I did was a google search looking for a particular piece of equipment I was looking for, and many choices came up, it’s definitely a more competitive world out there for our vendors. If they aren’t paying attention and staying competitive, they are going to lose alot of work.”

There are a long line of reasons customers are seeking internet for purchasing and repair work in the industrial world. Many argue that not only is it the issue of price, but also technical support as well as repair and service work. Many local vendors have had these customers trapped into a corner for so long, local repair centers have lost their excellent customer service and support which they once targeted these customers with.

Precision Electric, Inc. and VFD Distributing is a family owned business that offers excellence in industrial support and service work, and have been doing so since 1984. Simply inquire for a free quote or if you are in need technical support.


VFDs Reduce Energy Costs Up To 60% Using an Industrial Drive

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A properly applied VariableFrequency Drive (VFD)will significantly reduce operating costs. This is particularly true for variable torque loads such as:

  • Fans
  • Blowers
  • Pumps

Blowers, for example, are often used with dampers to control air flow. These dampers may be operated either manually or automatically. When dampers are closed, 50% motor current will drop to approximately 60% of Full Load nameplate current. By utilizing aVariable Frequency Drive (VFD)in this application, current draw in the motor will be reduced 30% for every 10% drop in speed. The same motor operating froma Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)at 50% speed will draw approximately 20% of FLA.

An example application:

A 10HP AC motor rated 90% efficient running across the line with the dampers operating between 50 70% for 2000 hours per year will require 11,996 KWH. If your KWH charge is $.08 per KWH, the cost to run this motor will be: $1,248.00 annually.

The same motor operating from an ASD between 50 70% speed for 2000 per year will require 4,676 KWH. Operating cost at the same KWH rate will be: $ 432.00 per year. This represents a savings of $ 816.00 per year and should be enough to pay for the investment into a drive and installation costs in the first 12 months of operation.

Ifthe application operates more hours than in this example and/orthe KWH charge is higher the savings will compound very fast.

Reduce Energy Costs Up To 60% Using a Variable Frequency Drive
Reduce Energy Costs Up To 60% Using a Variable Frequency Drive

Another factor to consider is mechanical wear. Because the motor and blower in this application is running at a lower speed mechanical wear will be proportionally less. You should also expect less vibration and heat that may affect other equipment nearby.

Most VFDs will accept a 4-20 Ma input signal for speed reference and control. Most pressure transducers and automatic controllers can be wired directly into the same control position as your automatic damper. (also 4 20 ma)

The same theory will apply to all variable torque loads. A variable torque load is one that the load on the motor shaft increases when speed increases, or decreases when the speed decreases.