This is not an easy question to answer. Before we can give you a comprehensive answer to this question we will need to know more about your application and specifications. Simply e-mail us (info@iacdrive.com) with your application and specifications and we will recommend the drive that’s right for you.
Yes. Iacdrive is pleased to announce that we have the solution to run most 230V, 3Ph motors with only 230V, 1Ph input! Call for more information.
This question is a very open-ended one which depends on many factors – load, incoming supply voltage, utility costs, and several others – and so cannot be simply answered. A good place to start customizing the inquiry for your use would be at ABB’s web site; they have tools for rough calculations for energy savings using VFD’s.
ABB has developed calculation tools for estimating the energy savings that become available when applying electric speed control to certain flow machines. Using PumpSave and FanSave tools, AC drive control in pumps and fans can be compared against traditional flow control methods in terms of energy usage. The tools also provide financial figures for assessing the profitability of purchasing an ABB drive. PumpSave and FanSave run in Microsoft Excel and utilize VBA macros.
FanSave for comparing AC drive control against traditional flow control methods in fans. Calculate the savings you can achieve by replacing outlet damper, inlet vane or pitch control methods with electronic speed control from an ABB drive. FanSave also provides financial and environmental figures concerning the control method retrofit project and recommends a suitable ABB drive type.
AC drives can be “tuned” to the application to achieve maximum output of the equipment. Sometimes this is slightly under the base speed of the motor, and sometimes, it is over the base speed of the motor. Since every application is different, contact us through an email or the phone to discuss your application in detail and discover how we can help improve your companies’ production output.
This is one of the best applications for an AC drive. In most fan/pump applications, there is a need to vary the output of the fan/pump. This is very easy to achieve with an AC drive. Plus you get the benefit of reduced energy cost of running the motor!!!
Suitability of VFD for pumps.
VFD’s are well suited to pumping applications. Many are manufactured to include motor speed/torque profiles specifically intended to optimize pump performance. However, there are some issues which must be considered before deciding on the use of VFD’s:
No, variable frequency drives are not phase sensitive. You can adjust the direction of rotation of the motor, through the software of the drive.
Yes, a variable frequency drive can replace a soft start starter, since most drives give you a current limiting ramp to start and stop your motor. BUT, if you do not need to vary the production speed of your motor, then the soft start starter is still the correct product for the application. This is because the cost of the soft start starter is less than the cost of a variable frequency drive.
The difference is the speed that the motor can run, when at full speed. With a soft start starter, the motor is reduced voltage started, and then when the motor is at full speed, or a timing circuit has timed out, a “running by-pass contactor” pulls in and the motor continues to run at full base speed. With a VSD (Variable Speed Drive) or VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) (these are the same thing, just different names for the same unit), The motor will soft start, and you can vary the speed of the motor, by varying the output frequency from the VSD or VFD.
So, if you don’t need to vary the speed of the motor, once the motor is up to speed, then the correct solution is a soft start starter for that motor. If the process requires the motor speed to vary at anytime, the correct solution is a VSD / VFD.
The cost for a soft start starter is much less than a VSD or VFD.
A variable frequency drive (VFD) refers to AC drives only and a variable speed drive (VSD) refers to either AC Drives or DC Drives.
VFD’s vary the speed of an AC motor by varying the frequency to the motor. VSD’s referring to DC motors vary the speed by varying the voltage to the motor.