Variable Frequency Drives for

Industrial Applications

BY:NAILA SHUTTARY
BRANCH:EEE
ROLL NO:12D21A0213

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
OVERVIEW
COMPARISON
PURPOSE
VFD OPERATION
COMPONENTS OF VFD
WHY USE VFD?
BENEFITS OF VFD
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION
AVariable Frequency Drive (VFD)is a type of motor
controller that drives an electric motor by varying the
frequency and voltage supplied to the electric motor.
A variable frequency drive is an adjustable speed
drive.
VFDs are available in a number of different low and
medium voltageAC-ACand DC-AC topologies.
Other names for a VFD arevariable speed
drive,adjustable speed drive,adjustable frequency
drive,AC drive,micro drive, andinverter.

AN OVERVIEW
Before semiconductor devices were introduced (<1950):
AC motors for fixed speed applications
DC motors for variable speed applications
After semiconductor devices were introduced (1950s)
Variable frequency sources available AC motors in
variable speed applications
Coupling between flux and torque control
Application limited to medium performance applications
fans, blowers, compressors scalar control
High performance applications dominated by DC motors
tractions, elevators, servos, etc
In 1980s vector controlled semiconductor drives were
introduced

Conventional electric
drives (variable speed)

Modern electric drives (With

power electronic converters)

Bulky

Inefficient

inflexible

Small
Efficient
Flexible

COMPARISON OF VFD AND CONVENTIONAL

DRIVES

The Purpose OF USING VFD

Energy savings on most pump and fan
applications.
Better process control and regulation.
Speeding up or slowing down a machine or
process.
Inherent power-factor correction
Emergency bypass capability
Protection from overload currents
Safe Acceleration

Where are variable frequency drives used?

Buildings:
Primarily commercial

Applications:
Air handling
District Heating
Room & Zone

Operation:
Control fans, pumps,
compressors to reduce
energy consumption

VFD OPERATION

Understanding the basic principles behind VFD

operation requires understanding the three basic
sections of the VFD:

Input section, draws AC electric power from the

utility,
Rectifier section, converts the AC into DC power.
Inverter section, converts DC back into a controllable
AC waveform.

COMPONENTS OF VFD

RECTIFIER is that special type of converter that

converts AC to DC

COMPONENTS OF VFD
Simplified Circuit showing DC bus components
The DC link is an important section of the drive as
it provides much of the monitoring and protection
for the drive & motor circuit.

COMPONENTS OF VFD

Simplified Inverter Section of a VFD

Pulse-width-modulated voltage and

current waveforms

The DC waveform looks more

like
an AC waveform but the
voltage waveform is much
different.
The power semi-conductors in
the inverter section act as
switches, switches of the DC bus,
and therefore, are pulsing the
motor with some voltage.
A typical square wave takes its
shape on the square-wave look
due to this switching function
( which explains the sharp rise to
peak) rather than a rotational,
changing state of amplitude.
This frequency and amplitude
pattern is sometimes called the
carrier frequency of a PWM
drive.

Pulse-width-modulated voltage and

current waveforms

Pulse- width-modulatION (PWM)

Why use variable frequency drives?

Saves energy through fan and pump speed control

up to 70% energy savings in pump and fan applications

e.g. 32% average savings in a ventilation system Payback

period of 1 year

Decreases mechanical stress due to pressure spikes

with direct on-line start & stop
VFDs creates a smooth start which reduces the pressure
spikes that reduce system lifetime

Reduces the starting current of the motor

VFDs minimize the starting current of the motor, which

means electrical installation investments can be lower

BENEFITS OF VFD
As VFD usage in HVAC applications has increased,
fans, pumps, air handlers, and chillers can benefit
from speed control. Variable frequency drives
provide the following advantages:
energy savings
low motor starting current
reduction of thermal and mechanical
stresses on motors and belts during starts
simple installation
high power factor
lower KVA

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Typical energy savings with VFD on
centrifugal pumps
Flow is proportional to speed

Power varies to the cube of the speed change

20% reduction in speed

= 50% reduction in energy
50% reduction in speed
= 80% reduction in energy

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Applications

Fans

(E.g.)
Odor control
Ventilation
Cooling towers
Benefits
Exact air flow to match demand
Energy savings (20% reduction in
speed gives ~ 50% saving in energy)
Constant pressure &Temperature
Less wear (EG: Extends belt life)
Reduced audible noise
Parallel fan operation possible

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Pressure Control
with VFD

Pressure
Set point

From The Source

reservoir

The VFD adjusts the pump speed based on a feedback signal

from the pressure transmitter to maintain a constant pressure
with changes in flow

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

INDUCTION MOTOR

CONCLUSION
Using VFDs, a small reduction in speed can save
large amount of energy.
They help to reduce wear and tear.
This technology can meet even the most stringent
harmonic standards and reduce backup sizing .
They provide lower KVA,helpin alleviate voltage
sags.
They help to save money as well as energy losses
are reduced.