How does Variable Frequency Drive Work? Its Uses

Posted by Sagar Rajput on January 17th, 2017

Using VFDs have a number of economic benefits despite the fact that they generate a large number of heat and harmonics. It has 3 main components – the input section, which regulates the flow of AC into the system, the Rectifier converts the AC c to DC and the Inverter section will convert the DC back into controllable.

Benefits of VFDs

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, using VFDs has numerous economic benefits. The primary reason why VFDs are preferred is because of the speed control which the devices offer. This was machines can be sped up or slowed down easily. The acceleration can be done safely. They also help to save energy on the applications of pumps and fans as they offer better process control by offering better regulation. In case of emergencies, the current flowing into the system can be bypassed and the system can stay protected from current overloads.

Applications of VFD

• Commercial Buildings: VFDs are largely used in commercial buildings since they have a huge network of pipes and pumps which need regulation and energy flow control. They are also used to control the heating and cooling systems in large commercial buildings to regulate the air flow.

• Centrifugal Pumps: VFDs are also used in industries to control the centrifugal pumps to control the speed by keeping the energy flow equal to the speed. So when the speed is reduced by say 20%, the energy is reduced by 50% and when the speed is reduced by 50%, the energy is reduced by 80%.

• HVAC Systems: They are also used in industrial systems for operating fans and air flow systems to regulate odor control, ventilation and cooling systems. Thus they form an integral part of the heating and air conditioning system (HVAC) of many industries as the HVAC system is one of the most important units in industries as it helps to maintain the environment in the industrial unit.

• Traction systems: VFDs are also used in traction systems which are required by certain railway systems. This is used to supply amounts of currents to the trains to power them. This kind of VFD system is widely used by the Indian railways to run many local and intercity trains on electricity.

The VFDs are one of the most unique inventions of Tesla and they are still impacting the way we handle current flow in large industrial and commercial units as the economic benefits of using Variable frequency drive panel are numerous and the principle which forms the core of VFDs can be applied in many places.