Electrical Drives and Control

Dr. M. Lavanya
Assistant Professor/MCT
Unit 01: INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC
DRIVES
Basic Elements – Types of Electric Drives – factors influencing the
choice of electrical drives – heating and cooling curves – Loading
conditions and classes of duty – Selection of power rating for drive
motors with regard to thermal overloading and Load variation factors.
Drive consideration for Textile mills, Steel rolling mills, Cement mills,
Paper mills
Basic Elements
Definition: The system which is used for controlling the motion
of an electrical machine, such type of system is called an
electrical drive. In other words, the drive which uses the
electric motor is called electrical drive

Source: AC or DC
 Power Modulator
• The power modulator regulates the output power of the source. It
controls the power from the source to the motor in such a manner that
motor transmits the speed-torque characteristic required by the load.
During the transient operations like starting, braking and speed reversing
the excessive current drawn from the source. This excessive current
drawn from the source may overload it or may cause a voltage drop.
Hence the power modulator restricts the source and motor current.
• The power modulator converts the energy according to the requirement
of the motor e.g. if the source is DC and an induction motor is used then
power modulator convert DC into AC. It also selects the mode of
operation of the motor, i.e., motoring or braking.
 Control Unit
• The control unit controls the power modulator which operates at
small voltage and power levels. The control unit also operates the
power modulator as desired. It also generates the commands for the
protection of power modulator and motor. An input command signal
which adjusts the operating point of the drive, from an input to the
control unit.
 Sensing Unit
• It senses the certain drive parameter like motor current and speed. It
mainly required either for protection or for closed loop operation.
 Advantages of Electrical Drive
• The electric drive has very large range of torque, speed and power.
• Their working is independent of the environmental condition.
• The electric drives are free from pollution.
• The electric drives operate on all the quadrants of speed torque
plane.
• The drive can easily be started and it does not require any refuelling.
• The efficiency of the drives is high because fewer losses occur on it.
 Disadvantages of Electrical Drive
• The power failure completely disabled the whole of the system.
• The application of the drive is limited because it cannot use in a place
where the power supply is not available.
• It can cause noise pollution.
• The initial cost of the system is high.
• It has a poor dynamic response.
• The output power obtained from the drive is low.
• During the breakdown of conductors or short circuit, the system may
get damaged due to which several problems occur.
Types of Electric Drives
Based on
Based on control
Based on supply number of Based on Speed
parameters
motors

Individua Vector
AC Constant
l control

Multi- Constant
DC Variable
motor power

Constant
Group
torque
 Based on Supply
• AC Motor drives
• AC drive is a device used to control the speed of an electric motor such
as a three-phase induction motor by changing the frequency of the
electrical supply to the motor.
• AC drive is also called Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) or Variable
Speed Drive (VSD).
• DC Motor drives
• It is basically speed control system of a DC electrical motor that
supplies voltage to the motor to operate at desired speed.
• DC drives are classified as analog DC drives and digital DC drives.
Based on the Number of Motors
Individual
• There will be a separate drive motor for various machine parts.
• Example: Lathe machine.
Multi-Motor
• Separate motors are provided for actuating different parts of a machine.
• Example: Cranes.
Group Drive
In a group drive, one motor is used as a drive for two or several machines.
• A single shaft connects the motor, other machines are connected to the shaft by belts
and pulleys.
• Group drive is the most economical.
Based on Speed
• Constant Speed Drive
• Machine tools require more or less constant speed drives; squirrel cage
induction motors, along with manual controls, are used.
• Variable Speed drive
• The main purpose of variable speed drive is to control speed along
with acceleration, deceleration, torque, and finally, the direction of the
machine.
• They are used to reduce power consumption.
 Based on Control Parameters
Vector Control Drive
• Vector control is the most accurate than any other kind of variable frequency drive
(VFD).
• In this control mode, torque and speed are controlled using pulse width modulation
(PWM) techniques in an inverter.
• These are used for AC synchronous and induction motors.
Constant Power Drive
• When a motor, while carrying rated current in its armature, provides constant power
at all speeds in a certain range of speed control, it is known as a constant power drive
in that range of speed control.
Constant Torque Drive
• Constant torque load type drive is distinctive when fixed volumes are being handled.
• Examples are screw compressors, feeders, and conveyors.
Factors influencing the choice of electrical
drives
• Steady-state operation requirements: Nature of speed-torque
characteristics, speed regulation, speed range, efficiency, duty cycle,
quadrants of operation, speed fluctuations, if any, ratings.
• Transient operation requirements: Values of acceleration and
deceleration, starting, braking, and reversing performance
• Requirements are related to the source: Type of source and its capacity,
magnitude of voltage, voltage fluctuations, power factor, harmonics and
their effect on other loads, ability to accept regenerated power.
• Capital and running cost, maintenance needs, life.
• Space and weight restrictions, if any.
• Environment and location.
• Reliability.
 Classes of motor duty
1.Continuous duty
2.Short-time duty
3.Intermittent periodic duty
4.Intermittent periodic duty with starting
5.Intermittent periodic duty with starting and braking
6.Continuous duty with intermittent periodic loading
7.Continuous duty with starting and braking
8.Continuous duty with periodic speed changes
Continuous Duty
• This duty denotes that, the
motor is running long
enough AND the
electric motor temperature
reaches the steady state
value. These motors are
used in paper mill drives,
compressors, conveyors
etc.
 Short Time Duty
In these motors, the operation
time is very low, and the
heating time is much lower
than the cooling time. So, the
motor cooks off to ambient
temperature before operating
again. These motors are used
in crane drives, drives for
household appliances, valve
drives etc.
Intermittent Periodic Duty
Here, the motor
operates for some time,
and then there is a rest
period. In both cases,
the time is insufficient
to raise the temperature
to steady state value or
cool it off to ambient
temperature. This is
seen at press and
drilling machine drives.
Intermittent Period Duty with Starting
• In this type of duty, there is a
period of starting, which
cannot be ignored and there is
a heat loss at that time. After
that, there are running and
rest periods, which are
inadequate to attain steady-
state temperatures. This motor
duty class is widely used in
metal cutting and drilling tool
drives, mine hoists, etc.
Intermittent Periodic Duty with Starting
and Braking
In this type of drive, heat loss
during starting and braking
cannot be ignored. So, the
corresponding periods are the
starting period, operating period,
braking period, and resting
period, but all the periods are too
short to attain the respective
steady-state temperatures. These
techniques are used in billet mill
drives, manipulator drives, mine
hoists, etc.
Continuous Duty with Intermittent Periodic Loading
In this type of motor duty, everything is the same as the periodic
duty but here, a no-load running period occurs instead of the rest
period. Pressing and cutting are examples of this system.

Continuous Duty with Starting and Braking

It is also a period of starting, running, and braking and there is no
resting period. The main drive of a blooming mill is an example.

Continuous Duty with Periodic Speed Changes

In this type of motor duty, there are different running periods at
different loads and speeds. But there is no rest period, and all the
periods are too short to attain the steady-state temperatures.