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Variable Frequency Drives

Variable frequency drives control the speed of AC electric motors by adjusting the frequency of the motor's power supply, allowing the motor speed to match load requirements and improve energy efficiency; VFDs are commonly used to control the speed of centrifugal fans, pumps, and blowers, where reducing motor speed significantly lowers energy use according to affinity laws while providing process control and maintenance benefits. VFDs convert incoming AC power to a variable frequency that can be adjusted to precisely control motor speed, torque, and process variables for improved efficiency and process control.

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MadanKarki
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131 views23 pages

Variable Frequency Drives

Variable frequency drives control the speed of AC electric motors by adjusting the frequency of the motor's power supply, allowing the motor speed to match load requirements and improve energy efficiency; VFDs are commonly used to control the speed of centrifugal fans, pumps, and blowers, where reducing motor speed significantly lowers energy use according to affinity laws while providing process control and maintenance benefits. VFDs convert incoming AC power to a variable frequency that can be adjusted to precisely control motor speed, torque, and process variables for improved efficiency and process control.

Uploaded by

MadanKarki
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Variable Frequency Drives

Introduction

• Variable Frequency Drives are devices which control the


speed of alternating current(AC) electric motors by
controlling the frequency of the supply voltage of the
motor.

• Motor-driven systems are designed to handle peak loads.


If the system is running at a reduced load for some period
of time, it will lead to energy inefficiency.

• With Variable frequency drives and the ability to adjust the


speed of the motor, enables you to match the motor output
to load requirement thus resulting in energy savings.
AC Motor Theory-Background

• AC Motors Convert Electric Energy into Mechanical


Energy
• When a conductor moves across a magnetic field a
voltage is induced
• When the conductor is part of a closed circuit there will
be a current induced
• In a motor, the induction principle is utilized in reverse
• A live conductor is placed in a magnetic field
• The conductor is influenced by a force which moves
it through the magnetic field
AC Motor Theory-Background
AC Motor Theory-Background

• AC Motors Convert Electric Energy into Mechanical


Energy
• The AC motor is made up of two parts
• The Stator
• The stationary section that contain the windings
• The Rotor
• The rotating section that contains the conductors
AC Motor Theory-Background
AC Motor Theory-Background

• AC Motors Convert Electric Energy into Mechanical


Energy
• The Magnetic Field:
• Rotates in the air gap between the stator and the
rotor
• Has a fixed location in the stator core which
continuously varies in location
• When three phases are introduced in the motor three
magnetic fields are introduced
• 120 degrees apart
• Poles of opposite polarity are formed
AC Motor Theory-Background
AC Motor Theory-Background

• The speed of an Induction motor rotates at a fixed speed


and is determined by the frequency of the supply voltage.
Alternating current applied to the stator windings produce
a magnetic field which rotates at synchronous speed.
• Synchronous speed = 120 x supply frequency
(Hz)/number of poles
• Example: A four-pole motor, for example, has two
pole pairs, and therefore the magnetic field will
rotate 120 x 60 Hz / 4 = 1800 rpm.
AC Motor Theory-Background

• Usually the rotor speed tries to follow the rotating


magnetic field however under load the rotor speed slips
slightly behind the rotating field. This generates an
induced current, and the resulting magnetic field in the
rotor produces excess torque.
• Note: The size of the slip varies depending on the
motor design and varies with load on the motor(slip is
the difference between the rotor speed and the rotating
magnetic field).
• Taking the slip factor into consideration with the fixed
speed of the motor, the actual speed of the motor would be:
• speed = 120 x supply frequency (Hz)/number of poles –
slip
Solution to excessive Torque?
• By changing the speed of the motor, would solve the problem to
excessive torque.
• Therefore ‘slip’ can be controlled through the motor voltage since the
motor torque is affected through its voltage
y Since AC motors are designed for a certain voltage and frequency
ratio, changing the voltage alone would cause improper magnetization
and increase losses and motor heat
y This means we would have to change the speed of the motor by
adjusting the frequency applied to the motor. You could adjust the
frequency and hence the speed by changing the number of poles,
however this is a physical change to the motor. This requires
rewinding, and results in a step change to the speed. This method
would be very imprecise, costly and inefficient.
y Therefore other methods of changing the speed via frequency must be
considered.
VFD-Background

• VFDs convert the fixed-frequency supply voltage to a


continuously variable frequency, allowing adjustable
motor speed and less stress on the motor.

• A VFD can control two main elements of a 3-phase


induction motor: speed and torque.
VFD-Drive Components
VFD-Output
VFD-Background

• The speed at which power devices switch on and off is the


carrier frequency, also known as the switch frequency.
The higher the switch frequency, the more resolution each
PWM pulse contains.

• The trend is similar to that of the personal computer. More


features, better performance, and lower cost with
successive generations. Unlike computers, however, drives
have dramatically improved in their reliability and ease of
use.

• Drives are increasingly becoming "plug and play."


Applications

• Variable speed drives are used for two main reasons:

• Improves the efficiency of motor-driven equipment,


matching speed to changing load requirements.

• To allow accurate and continuous process control over


a wide range of speeds.
Why use a blower with VFD?

• Motor-driven centrifugal pumps, fans and blowers offer


the most dramatic energy-saving opportunities.

• Blowers operate for extended periods at a reduced load.

• Since they are not always operating at


their full load the amount of energy
you can save by reducing the current
to them as well as the amount of stress
release on your motor is enormous and
results in an energy efficient and longer
lasting system.
Blower Background

• Blower affinity laws govern the relationship among speed,


flow and input power. The laws state:
• Flow is proportional to speed
• Pressure increases with the square of speed
• Power Increases with the cube of speed
• When speed is reduced to 75 percent of design speed, flow
decreases to 75 percent, outlet pressure decreases to 56
percent, and the input power requirement drops to 42
percent of full-speed values.
• Even small reductions in speed and flow can result in
significant energy savings.
Blower Background
Blower Background
Blower Background
Other Benefits of VFDs:

• Control:
• A VFD may be used for control of process temperature,
pressure or flow without the use of a separate
controller. Suitable sensors and electronics are used to
interface the driven equipment with the VFD.

• Maintenance:
• Maintenance costs can be lower, since lower operating
speeds result in longer life for bearings and motors.
Other Benefits of VFDs:

• Equipment:
• Eliminating the throttling valves and dampers also does
away with maintaining these devices and all associated
controls.
• A soft starter for the motor is no longer required.

• Protection:
• The ability of a VFD to limit torque to a user-selected
level can protect driven equipment that cannot tolerate
excessive torque

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