Industrial drives have a wide range of applications.
Another word for them is inverters. These are used to give speed or torque control in electric motors. They vary the output and frequency from a constant current input.
Most of us are probably blissfully unaware of the important role they play in all of our lives. You probably walk past one every day without even realizing it. Inverters move and run a variety of items that we use in industry, commerce, and for pleasure.
Motors run on electricity. For this reason, we need an equal amount of energy to give the torque or speed that is necessary. Mechanical controls are used to control the output if the torque is too high or too low. A motor’s speed must match exactly what is needed. If this matching does not happen, materials and energy are wasted due to the inefficient running of the motor.
With an inverter, you can change the speed of a motor and access a greater speed range. Also, the drives can adapt to changing conditions. The inverter also allows you to switch the direction of rotation.
Wasted energy costs a business money. For this reason, it’s vital to control your motor effectively. An inverter is a way to manage the motor. Frequency inverters save energy and improve productivity. Also, if you use an inverter you will reduce your maintenance costs.
What is an Inverter?
Inverters are also known as AC drives, Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), or Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). They are also called frequency converters. Inverters are placed between the electrical supply and the motor. The drive takes power from the electrical supply. The inverter regulates the power and feeds it to the motor. Then, a rectifier inside the drive converts the incoming AC power to DC power.
Then, the drive feeds the DC power into the capacitors inside the unit. The electrical wave is smoothed out to give a clean power supply for the motor. Next, power flows from a capacitor to an inverter. The power then changes from AC to DC. Finally, the drive adjusts the frequency and the voltage of the power that is going to the motor depending on the current needs.
Frequency converters contain three main sections:
Industrial drives also contain computers which control the convertor circuits. This process produces a virtually pure variable-frequency sinusoidal voltage that is delivered to the load. The processor also controls input and output organisation, the drive settings, fault situations and communication arrangements.
The crucial factor is that the AC power runs to the speed that is required. This control saves you a lot of money. That’s why you need to use one of our recommended AC drives.
What are the applications of frequency converters?
Frequency converters convert power from one distribution standard to another. Also, they control the speed or torque of AC motors. Common applications are:
Fans
Processing machines
Conveyor belts
Assembly lines
Handling systems
Extruding machines
Injection machines
Plastic moulding machines
Hoists
Typically, there is a three-phase two-level voltage source inverter in place in these kinds of applications.
Power semiconductor switches and a pulse width modulation (PWM) control the phase voltages. A bridge is formed by combining semiconductor switching devices and anti-parallel-connected freewheeling diodes. Therefore, all motor phases are connected to the positive or negative voltage. The PWM alters the connections of the phases between the positive and negative voltage. In this way, the wave voltage is now at the required frequency.
Industrial drives are commonly used in industries such as mining, power plants, the oil industry, and manufacturing.
What kinds of converters are there?
There are frequency inverters for every kind of situation.
They are available in different designs and with a variety of control functions. Industrial drives can be placed on the wall, in a cabinet, in a protected position, or out in the field. Inverters vary from basic, standard to modular servo inverters depending on the needs of a business. They can be large or small. Some are made to withstand tough environments such as severe weather conditions.
