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ukdriva1
8June1998
DRIVE ISOLATION TRANSFORMERS
General
Motor drives, such as variable popular because of their impact on notching, but what is lesser known
frequency and adjustable speed, energy savings, and because they is that a drive isolation transformer
are becoming more and more are easy to control. Plant and placed in front of these motor
popular every day. They are used facility managers are becoming drives is a simple, cost-effective
to adjust the speed of induction aware that these motor drives solution to the power quality
motors by varying the frequency. cause harmonic voltage distortion, problems created by the motor
Motor drives are becoming more electrical noise, and line voltage drives.
Solution
Inserting a drive isolation harmonic distortion by eliminating Attenuation of electrical noise due
transformer in front of the motor the triplen harmonics (when the to ground currents is achieved by
drive reduces the harmonic transformer is connected delta - isolation and shielding. The
distortion, attenuates electrical wye). The harmonics produced by secondary of drive isolation
noise, and diminishes line voltage the motor drive are trapped in the transformers is isolated from the
notching caused by motor drives. delta primary of the transformer. primary providing a good amount
The addition of the inductive The transformer must be K-rated to of noise attenuation. Multiple
reactance from a transformer to the handle the heat generated by the shielded drive isolation
motor drives power source trapped harmonics in the primary. transformers provide excellent
effectively reduces the notching A reduction in harmonic distortion noise attenuation needed to
effects it has on the power to other improves the power factor and prevent data disruption in digital
loads. In three phase applications, reduces the harmonic effects on electronic equipment.
drive isolation transformers reduce other loads.
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Drive Isolation Transformers vs. Standard Isolation Transformers
Some isolation transformer stresses of highly cyclic process
manufacturers will take their In order for a transformer to qualify control applications.
standard transformers and re-label as a drive isolation transformer,
them as drive isolation there are a few criteria it must Standard isolation transformers do
transformers. They are able to do meet. The transformer must: meet not meet the criteria of a drive
this because there are no the IEEE 597 standard on isolation transformer Some of
standards to differentiate the two. overloads; be listed to UL 1561 for these transformers may meet one
That is why it is important to make non-sinusoidal current loads; have or two of the drive isolation
sure the isolation transformer is an inductive reactance level of no transformer criteria, but can not
able to operate as a drive isolation less than 3%; and be designed to truly be used as a drive isolation
transformer when it comes time to handle the thermal and mechanical transformer.
make a purchase.
Ultra-K
The Ultra-K manufactured by the heat generated by harmonics; Ultra-K has double or triple
Controlled Power Company meets has a typical inductive reactance of shielding for optimal electrical
the stringent requirements of a 3%; and is manufactured with extra noise attenuation, and comes with
drive isolation transformer. It braced coils to handle the the option of a high frequency filter
conforms to IEEE 597 standard on mechanical and thermal stresses and TVSS for additional surge
overloads; is offered in K-factors of imposed by the short circuit suppression.
K-4, K-7, K-13, and K-20 to handle conditions of the rectifier. The
Summary
Today, motor drives are very for these power problems. The for high mechanical and thermal
popular in industrial applications. following conditions must be met in stress. Controlled Power
Rectifiers found inside of motor order for a transformer to be a Company’s Ultra-K is the only
drives create line voltage notching, drive isolation transformer: IEEE transformer that offers all of the
electrical noise, and harmonics 597 standard on overloads; listed important features of a drive
wreaking havoc on electronic to UL 1561 for non-sinusoidal isolation transformer all in one
devices. Drive isolation current loads; obtain no less than package.
transformers are needed to correct 3% inductive reactance; and built
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