PLC News

Choosing the right Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is crucial for the efficiency and longevity of your systems.

Here are PLC Hardware’s top five considerations to guide you through the selection process:

- Environment: Assess the operating conditions such as ambient temperature, cooling air supply, and the presence of gas, moisture, and dust. These factors influence the choice of drive enclosures and protective features.

- Speed Range: Determine the minimum and maximum motor speeds required for your application, as this will dictate the drive’s base speed.

- Torque Requirements: Account for starting, peak, and running torques. The drive should accommodate starting torque from a fraction of the full load to several times the full load torque, depending on the application.

- Acceleration: The acceleration time is crucial and is influenced by the total inertia of the system and the available torque.

- Duty Cycle: Understand if the load is constant, variable, or pulsating. The duty cycle, defined as the ratio of on-time to the total cycle period, is critical when the drive operates at idle or reduced load for significant periods.

- Heating: Consider the thermal aspects of the motor or controller. Reduced speeds in self-ventilated motors may necessitate derating or additional ventilation to maintain appropriate temperature levels.

Browse our product range:
·      Rockwell PowerFlex Drives
·      Siemens Drives
·      Schneider Drives
·      Mitsubishi Drives

For an in-depth exploration of VFD selection criteria, consider delving into resources like the PLC Hardware selection guides, or reach out to our sales team at sales@plchardware.com.au.

Remember, the right VFD can enhance efficiency, reduce wear and tear on equipment, and save energy costs for your business in the long run. It’s worth investing the time to select the most suitable VFD for your specific needs.

Other product enquiries welcomed, Instrumentation, sensors, control equipment, and industrial automation products. We can often beat local distributor pricing up to 50%.

Posted at 14 August 24