Introduction to Variable Speed Drives and Soft Starters
Main advantages Controlled starting and stopping Speed variation Speed or torque regulation Embedded application functions Communication Safety
Technologies Starter Chopper (Thyristors) M ~ AC supply Speed drive Inverter (IGBTs) M ~ AC supply Rectifier (Diodes)
Application: Glass bottles conveyor Solution: Smooth start and stop with a Soft Starter Controlled start and stop
Application: Paper manufacturing Solution: Regulate the paper speed using a Variable Speed Drive Speed control
Application: Heavy handling or manufacturing machine with extremely high inrush current at starting causing substantial scattering. Solution: Soft starter or Variable Speed drive. Reduced Investment Costs Mine conveyor Harbor crane Crushers
Comfort - Accuracy Application: Lift requiring certain degree of comfort. Solution: Variable Speed Drive the most suitable solution to control speed and positioning
User interface Application: Machine with speed variation necessitating local start/stop, adjustment and monitoring Solution: Variable Speed Drive with evolved user interface
Communication VSD and Soft Starters are also communicating devices CANopen Machine HMI Controller (PLC ) Motor control
Variable Speed Drive Structure
Main objective of VSD A wide range of speed Good torque performances Constant acceleration - Motor deceleration controlled
Basic principle VSD should generate from the network a tunable voltage and frequency. U1, f1 U2, f2 Direct conversion AC-AC is difficult Use AC- DC- AC converter is easier Speed drive = frequency converter for AC motors.
Speed drive structure Control parts Application control Variable Speed Drive HMI I/O Communication ports PLC M Power parts Main Supply Frequency converter braking Motor/drive protections EMC filter Motor control Torque Speed feedback
Fixed frequency and voltage network Rectified Rectified Filtered Variable frequency and voltage FILTER INVERTER M Frequency converter Power part structure RECTIFIER
T S R D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 Rectifier bridge M 3 ~ T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Inverter C Filter Pre-load R S T Filter Smooth voltage Rectifier Rectified voltage Inverter Production of AC 3-phase supply varied in frequency and voltage u m i m PWM control Speed drive structure
Speed Drive Assessment Advantages: Makes the AC motors very performing Energy saving Reduction of motor starting current peaks Allows downsize of the power supply Takes care of the mechanical parts Increases life of the motor Compensation for certain network faults Drawback: The frequency converter is generator of interference and harmonics