ABB VFDs
ABB Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) regulate the motor speed and motor torque for electric motor-based applications. They are compact units when compared to other drive technologies and can fit in a very limited space. Yet, they are capable of being used with motors that are up to 200 horsepower. ABB drives provide energy efficiency and reliability when used with electric motors in cooling towers, water pumps, data centers, water and wastewater applications, .
There are many different kinds of variable frequency drives sold by ABB, and they can work in a wide range of applications. An application may call for a simple, small power drive that handles the job with ease. The opposite extreme applications are large ones that demand copious amounts of power no other drive could reasonably provide.
ABB VFD drives are straightforward to set up and service because of their modular construction and user-friendly interfaces. The key factor that enables this ease of use is the appearance of the displays, not just in terms of control panel logic but also in how much can be read from them.
Products
FAQs
Can variable speed drives perform in a reliable manner in HVAC applications?
Yes, variable speed drives can perform reliably in HVAC applications by precisely controlling fan and pump speeds, leading to enhanced energy efficiency, reduced wear, and improved climate control.
Motor Starters, Soft Starters and VFDs
Motor Starters
Motor starters safely start and stop a motor in industrial applications. They are designed with a contactor, overload and circuit protection. They are used when basic motor control is required, where torque on the motor is not a concern and speed control is not needed. The advantages of motor starters include: lower cost, allows for remote operation, allows for monitoring of motor state (with the use of auxiliary contacts) and they are safe and efficient. The disadvantages include: high inrush current that can cause fuses to blow and breakers to trip if the inrush is too high, and the starter will allow a full torque to start the motor which can cause the motor to ramp up to full speed very quickly potentially causing the motor to wear and degrade prematurely.
Soft Starters
Soft starters protect motors from inrush current by gently ramping up the motor to full speed. They provide all of the same functions as a traditional motor starter. The advantages of soft starters include: they are less expensive than a VFD when only startup control is needed, they are a smaller system than a VFD where space is a concern and they prevent unwanted torque upon startup, prolonging the life of the motor. The disadvantages include: they are more expensive than a traditional motor starter and they do not allow for full speed control.
VFDs
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) allows for the slow ramp up of a motor during startup and the slowing down of the motor during shutdown. It also allows for full speed control during the entire run cycle of the motor. VFDs provide the same functions as both the traditional motor starters and soft starters. The advantages of VFDs include: full speed control (start, stop and in-between), more custom control and monitoring, energy savings due to efficient motor usage and less wear and tear on the motors. The disadvantages include: they are more expensive and larger than other motor control options and they generate heat that may require fans or AC units.