Variable Frequency Drive

Prepared by: Syed Muzammil Hassan Submitted to: Engr.Khawaja Adil Najeeb

What is a VFD?

Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) A VFD can be used to control both the speed and torque of a standard induction AC electric motor. It varies both the frequency and amps of the AC waveform being delivered to the motor to vary the speed of motor.

It adjusts the speed of an HVAC fan or pump motor, based on demand, to save energy and prolong motor and mechanical component life Without a VFD, an HVAC fan or pump motor is either 100% on or 100% off

Basic components of a 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.

Purpose of the VFD

VFDs help to limit demand and electrical consumption of motors by reducing the amount of energy they consume. Standard motors are constant speed and when they are energized they run at a 100% no matter the load. Soft Start Only use energy you need

Purpose of the VFD

Energy savings on most pump and fan applications. Better process control and regulation. Speeding up or slowing down a machine or process. Protection from overload currents Safe Acceleration

How it works?

The input section of the drive is the converter. It converts AC power to DC power. The DC Bus section filters and smoothes out the waveform. The Inverter inverts the DC voltage back to AC. But, it does so in a variable voltage and frequency output.

Application As An Example

Consider a fixed speed fan using a motor starter. Replace the 3phase motor starter with Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) to operate the fan at variable speed. Since you can operate the fan at any speed below its maximum, you can vary airflow by controlling the motor speed instead of the air outlet damper.

Applications

All variable torque applications VFDs are frequently used to control motors for: Fans Blowers Pumps (centrifugal, positive displacement or slurry pumps) Compressors Mills

Applications

Used in the following industries: Power generation e.g. induced draft fans, forced draft fans, condensate pumps, water supply pumps, etc. Metallurgy: dusting fans, furnace fans, etc. Oil & Gas, petroleum, petro chemistry: oil transfer pumps, compressors, pumps, etc. Mining: mortar pumps, fans, etc. Water and waste water: water supply pump, etc. HVAC: large air conditioning compressors. Cement plants.

Applications

Forced Draft Cooling Tower

Induced Draft Cooling Tower

Applications

Induction Motors

Compressor

Applications

Air Damper

Blower

Advantages

Stable and reliable performance Saves energy and therefore reduces energy costs Easy installation Analog input 0 ~ 10V / 4 ~ 20 mA for frequency setting Integrated cooling Modular design of the power circuits for simpler maintenance routines Complete fault monitor circuit for accurate fault alarm and protection Voltage resource VFD, direct input of 3, 3.3, 4.16, 6, 6.6 and 10 kV, direct output of 3, 4.16, 6, 6.6 and 10 kV, no output transformer necessary.

Advantages

High input power factor, low harmonic current, no power factor correction capacitors and harmonic filters required The control logic can be easily changed with the help of the integrated PLC The VFD can self-diagnose and record faults. For trips, an alarm message is displayed in main interface; for serious trips, the trip window and the fault location is automatically displayed. The trip log can be viewed from the trip window. Small enclosure size