A Guide about Variable Frequency Drives
Variable Frequency Drives are the drives used basically in electrical, mechanical and electronics industry. These drives are reckoned among the revolutionary inventions of the electronics industry to serve many applications. These drives are in use from many decades. The main aim of VFD drive is to save the electrical energy of the mechanical devices. It means it is mostly attached with small and large machinery where there is a requirement of variable frequency. VFDs are electronic motor drives that allow the user to control the rotational speed of alternating current electric motors. VFD's control the motor by varying the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the motor. A VFD can have many applications, i.e.; controlling the speed, torque, direction and horsepower of a motor.
Variable Frequency Drives have a wide variety of uses. To help increase efficiency in manufacturing facilities (by controlling the optimum speed at which the conveyors, pumps and machines all work together);To save energy in heating/cooling large buildings (by precisely controlling air flow in the ventilation systems);To keep riders safe on roller-coasters (VFD's control the speed at which the cars travel around sharp corners and loops). The device also saves an individual to pay high electricity bills as it allows reducing the power consumption with the use of Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT). The use of this transistor controls the voltage and frequency of the output power. These drives are used in many mechanical applications but the most common use is in stamping machines, cranes, lifts, hoists, and automation applications of the industry.
VFD's actually have many different names. They are known as Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), Adjustable Frequency Drive (AFD), Variable Speed Drive (VSD), Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD), Frequency Drive, A C Drive, Microdrive or Inverter Drive. Since the voltage can be varied along with frequency, these electronic motor drives are sometimes called VVVF (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency) drives. For more information please visit the website of invt.
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