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Comparison of Motor Speed Control Methods (on photo: single motor variable speed drive for three pocket
washer-extractors; via edrodynawash.com)
Torque = RPM2
Power = RPM3
So, for these types of processes the torque required to turn them is proportional to the square of the speed.
But, the power required to turn them is proportional to the cube of the speed, and this is
what makes motor speed control economically attractive. To further this argument, consider
the energy wasted when mechanical means such as the throttling valves or dampers are used
to control a process which is being driven from a motor running at full speed.
It is clear that motor speed control can be used to save energy by reducing wasted energy used to
mechanically control the process.
Advantages
Simple, Cost-Effective
Disadvantages
High Current Inrush
High Starting Torque
Abrupt Start
Reduced-Voltage Resistor
High output torque vs. starting current
or Reactor
Part-Winding
Smooth Acceleration
Low inrush current
High flexibility in starting characteristics
Typically offers deceleration control also
Typically integrates with industrial automation
infrastructure
Relatively Expensive
Sensitive to power quality
Heat dissipation and ambient
temperature are a concern
Wye-Delta
Rotor Resistance
Adjustable
Speed Drive
Smooth Acceleration
Low inrush current
High flexibility in starting characteristics
Offers deceleration and speed control also
Typically integrates with industrial automation
infrastructure
Various designs exist for adjustable-speed drives, however for low voltage drives the most prevalent is the
voltage-source pulse-width modulated design. As its name implies, the output is pulse-width modulated to
reduce the output harmonic and noise content.
The AC input to the drive is typically a diode rectifier. A simplified circuit topology for al voltage-source
PWM drive is given in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1 Voltage-source PWM adjustable-speed drive: simplified circuit topology for low voltage
implementation
The output stage for the circuit in Figure 1 consists of Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs), which
are commonly used in low voltage PWM adjustable-speed drives instead of SCRs due to their superior
switching rate capability.
Adjustable speed drives offer superior speed control for motors through 10,000 hp,
depending upon the system voltage. They usually incorporate protection for the motor as well,
allowing the omission of separate motor protective relays if desired.
Due to the high switching frequencies involved and their interaction with the cable capacitance, the length of
the cable runs between the output of the drive and the motor are limited, and, as mentioned above for softstarters, power factor correction capacitors and surge capacitors should not be used at the output of an
adjustable speed drive.
Also due to the high switching frequencies, common-mode noise on the grounding conductors can be an
issue when these drives are employed.
AC Variable Speed Drive and IE2 Motor Kit 1.5kW (2.0HP) 230V Single Phase (photo credit:
inverterdrive.com)
On the incoming line, adjustable speed drives produce harmonics which must be taken into account in the
over-all system design. This topic is addressed in a later section of this guide. Adjustable speed drives, like
soft-starters, are microprocessor-based devices. Therefore, they can interface with the automation
infrastructure of a facility.
With the exception of a few isolated cases, for most industrial and commercial facilities adjustable
speed drives are the speed control of choice for AC motors.
Older methods //
Various other methods exist for AC motor speed control. A few of these are:
Because of the limitations of these methods and the fact that they do not fit a wide range of motors, the
adjustable speed drive is typically the solution of choice for most commercial and industrial facilities.
Reference // AC Motors, motor control and motor protection - Bill Brown, P.E., Square D Engineering
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