Variable Frequency Drive Systems and Controls
Do you have ac motors in your facility?
Do these motors need a variable output?
Do you use mechamical means to vary the output?
If you anwsered yes to these questions, you need to install variable frequency
drives on these ac motors.
If you are not using VFD's you are wasting energy and throwing money out the
window.
In the United States 50% of the total electrical energy generated is consumed by rotating equipment. 65% of this total is consumed by centrifugal or flow related applications such as fans, blowers, compressors, and pumps according to current estimates. Variable speed drive technology offers a cost-effective method to match driver speed to load demands and represents a state-of-the-art opportunity to reduce operating costs and improve overall productivity. Joliet Technologies is an OEM that custom packages, integrates and engineers AC Variable Frequency
Drives (VFD), DC Variable Speed Drives (VSD) and AC Drive Controllers. Our
drive systems integrate top
of the line manufacturers, like ABB, Emerson (Control Techniques & Saftronics / Fincor), Siemens and WEG to name a few. Our
added value custom drive
packages are built to your specifications for your application.
What is a Variable
Frequency Drive?
You can divide the world of
electronic motor drives into two categories: AC and DC, a motor drive controls
the speed, torque, direction and resulting horsepower of a motor. AC drives control AC induction
motors. DC drives typically controls a shunt wound DC motor, which has
separate armature and field circuits.
Motor drives are also known as DC Drives,
AC Drives,
SCR Drives (Silicon Controlled Rectifier Drive),
Variable Frequency Drives, Variable Speed Drives, Adjustable Speed Drives, Electric
Motor Drives, Electronic Motor Drives, AC Motor Controllers, AC Inverters, Pulse
Width Modulation (PWM) Drives and a few other names.
Which Drive is Right for your Application?
The AC Variable Frequency Drive market is huge, due to the
great advances in highly reliable AC power electronics and high power microprocessors. The Flux
Vector AC Drive for example, can compete on an application basis that DC Drives
would in earlier years be
required.
Even though AC Variable Frequency Drives are readily replacing DC
Drives and motors, there is still a large base of DC equipment that has to be supported by experienced
technicians. Joliet Technologies believes that by not abandoning the DC market we can better serve our
customer base demands. For example, older machines with multiple exciting DC Analog drives and motors
may be a great candidate for retrofitting newer digital DC drive equipment. Saving cost and down time.
If your needs are much simpler and speed control is not part of the work scope. Joliet Technologies
can provide Custom AC Drive Controllers consisting of contactors, starters, relays, pushbuttons and
PLCs. Our engineers can provide all PLC and Peripheral Programming needs. Panels can be designed by another
OEM or we can help with engineering to specifications provided.
| DC Variable Speed Drive |
| PROS |
CONS |
| Torque control and
limiting |
Brush life
commutation maintenance. |
| Wide speed range
(under 5000 RPM) |
Motor high speed
limit (high speeds use expensive gear boxes) |
| Trimming capabilities |
Expensive large HP
motors |
| Constant HP
capabilities |
Power system
harmonics |
| True 4-quadrant
regenerative energy conversion |
NA |
| Few distance
limitations |
NA |
| Cost (especially
single phase sizes) |
NA |
|
| AC Variable Frequency Drive |
| PROS |
CONS |
| Improved efficiency |
Distance limitations |
| Low motor maintenance |
Large system designs
(high HP drive foot prints) |
| Tight control |
Cost (encoder
feedback) |
| Digital control |
Expensive
regenerative braking |
| High speed
capabilities |
Power system
harmonics |
| Reversing capability
without extra power elements |
NA |
|
Joliet Technologies
Custom Panel Shop and On Site Retrofit
Benefits
We have the experience and know
how to provide you with the best drive for your application. Joliet
Technologies can evaluate your current equipment and recommend either a
Retro-Fit or System Replacement. Feel free to
contact us with any drive questions you
may have.
Joliet Technologies is a UL (Underwriters
Laboratories) Listed, Enclosed Industrial Control Panel shop.
Joliet Technologies is dedicated to provide the highest
quality equipment and service. This is why we started this company. With our
experience, expertise and commitment, you will be completely satisfied with
our workmanship and our work ethic. All work is performed following our
Quality Assurance System (based on the ISO9001:2000 Standard), assuring you
the highest quality.
From system
integration to panel fabrication Joliet Technologies provides quality systems
and custom control panels for new applications or system upgrades, all in a
timely fashion, and at competitive rates.
How to Maintain a
VFD
Do you know how to maintain a VFD? Doing so is easier than you might think. By
integrating some simple, logical steps into your preventative maintenance
program, you can ensure your drives provide many years of trouble-free
service.
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