Questions to Ask About Variable Frequency Drive before Investing In It

by Chen Yajun Executive

Have you ever heard about variable frequency drive (VFD)? If no, then it is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and supplied voltage to the electric motor. It is also known by other names, such as- variable speed drive, adjustable speed drive, adjustable frequency drive, AC drive, microdrive, and inverter as well.

If the equipment does not require an electric motor to run at full speed, then the VFD can be used to decrease down the frequency and voltage to fulfill the requirements of the electric motor’s load. As the application’s motor speed change requirements will also change, the VFD can simply increase or decrease the motor’s speed as per the requirement. Before buying a VFD, it is necessary to ask fewer questions from the variable frequency drive manufacturers that are given below:

1. Is it Easy and Safe to Maintain Your Panel?

It is utterly important to know how safe and easy is to take care of the panel that you are about to purchase. A proper maintenance of the panel will help to ensure the longevity of its life which eventually leads to saving money. For example- opening the cabinet door to change the filter can pose an unnecessary arc flash hazard. So, a customer needs to make sure that filters are easy to change.

2. Are you keeping your VFD clean, cool and dry?

Keeping your VFD cool, clean and dry will contribute to the longevity of its life. These elements can be attained by checking your setup:

Filters: Are they easy and safe to change?
Cooling: It is important to consider an ideal temperature surrounding the VFD.
Redundancy: Ask your manufacturer that does he have a backup plan for the cooling process if the component unable to function?

So, an individual seeker can find many reputed variable frequency drive manufacturers easily in the market. Before buying VFD, do not forget to ask the questions that are explained above.

Similar to VFD, a single phase variable frequency drive is also an integral part of motors. They can last for a much longer period with little maintenance. Such devices come up with limited output amps and have very specific compatibility.

Author’s Bio:

In the above article, the author has written about the questions to ask from variable frequency drive manufacturers. She has also written about the single-phase variable frequency drive.