AC Adjustable Speed Drive ASD an Overview

7/29/2019 AC Adjustable Speed Drive ASD an Overview

1/4

electrical-engineering-portal.com

Dual AC variable frequency drive cabinet built for American Chillers (photo by Joliet TechnologiesVSD and Controls)

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/ac-adjustable-speed-drive

asd-an-overview

AC Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD) An Overview

Variable Speed Control

The simplest and least expensive way to control the speed of a process or piece of equipment is tooperate all the equipment at full speed.

Many applications require the speed of a process or piece of equipment to be varied. Prior to theadvent of the AC Adjustable Speed Drive, many technologies have been used, although each has itsinherent advantages and disadvantages.

There are few types ofVariable Speed Control:

Control Valves, Dampers and Vanes
http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/download-center/books-and-guides/abb-drives-technical-guides/using-vsds-pump-applicationshttp://electrical-engineering-portal.com/ac-adjustable-speed-drive-asd-an-overview#http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/ac-adjustable-speed-drive-asd-an-overview


2/4

Fossil Fuel Engines

Eddy Current Clutches

Hydraulic Couplings

Variable Pitch Sheaves

DC Solid State Controllers

AD Adjustable Speed Drives (ASDs)

AC Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD)

AC Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD) have become very popularvariable speed control devices usedin industrial, commercial and some residential applications.

These devices have been available for about 20 years and have a wide range of applications rangingfrom single motor driven pumps, fans and compressors, to highly sophisticated multi-drive machines. They operate by varying the frequency of the AC voltage supplied to the motor usingsolid state electronic devices.

These systems are fairly expensive but provide a higher degree of control over the operation and inmany cases, reduce the energy use enough to a least offset if not more than pay for the increased cost.

ASDs allow precise speed control of a standard induction motor and can result in significant energysavings and improved process control in many applications. ASD can also control the speed of astandard squirrel cage NEMA type B induction motor and they are suitable not only for newapplications, but also for retrofit on existing motors.

Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD) Function

AC Adjustable Speed Drives can be thought of as electrical control devices that change theoperating speed of a motor. ASDs are able to vary the operating speed of the motor by changingthe electrical frequency input to the motor.

The speed an AC induction motor operates is given by the following equation:

Synchronous Speed = 120 x Frequency / Number of Poles

Where:

Frequency= Electrical frequency of the power supply in Hz.Number of poles = Number of electrical poles in the motor stator.

Changing the Motor Speed

Motors speed can be changed by altering the electrical frequency, the number of poles, or both. Motorspeed can be also changed by altering the number of poles in a motor from 4 to 2:

4 pole motoroperating on 60 hertz = 1800 rpm.2 pole motoroperating on 60 hertz = 3600 rpm.

We really CHANGED speed rather than varied speed!
http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/why-do-we-need-variable-speed-drives-vsd


3/4

Motor speed can be changed by altering the frequency of the electrical supply:

4 pole motoroperating on 50 hertz = 1500 rpm.4 pole motoroperating on 40 hertz = 1200 rpm.

By varying frequency, we can adjust the speed over a wide range or vary the speed precisely usingprecise changes in the electrical frequency input to the motor.

Power and Torque

ASDs actually control both frequency and voltage simultaneously to maintain a constant volts/hertz ratiowhich keeps current flow similar to full speed conditions. This allows the motor to draw full current at anyspeed and produce full torque as motor speed changes.

What happens to the Horsepower when we lower the speed and torque using frequency?

Horsepower = Speed (in RPM) x Torque (in pound feet) /5,252

Reduced Horsepower = Reduced Energy Use = Energy Savings!!

What About INCREASING Speed?

Some specially designed motors meant for use with ASDs are designed to operate at higherthan normal speeds at frequencies above 60 hertz.

Increasing frequency above 60 hertz makes the motor run faster than normal and creates two primaryconcerns:

1. Was the motor or the load it drives designed to operate at these increased speeds?

Many motors and devices were not mechanically balanced to operate at increased speeds andwill create vibration, mechanical and safety problems..

2. ASDs are not capable of increasing voltage so as frequency increases above 60 hertz,the torque produced starts to decrease.In order to maintain a constant horsepower output to drive our load, if speed is increased, torquemust decrease!

At some point of increased speed we may not be able to produce enough torque to drive the loadand at this point, the motor will slow even with increasing frequency. This point is different for each

manufacturers motor and dependant on the torque required by the load.

Only the manufacturer can help determine when this occurs.

ASD Advantages and Disadvantages

Adjustable Speed Drives have a number of advantages and disadvantages compared to other typesof variable speed controls including the following:

Advantages
http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/download-center/books-and-guides/siemens-basics-of-energy/basics-of-ac-drives


4/4

- Energy Savings- Improved Process Control- Reduced Voltage Starting- Lower System Maintenance- Bypass Capability- Multi-motor Control

Disadvantages- Initial Cost- Motor Heating at low Speeds- Maintenance- Output Harmonics- Induced Power Line Harmonics

Adjustable Speed Drives can be used to save significant amounts of energy in process operationscompared to traditional control methods where the load or speed of the operation varies.

AC Adjustable Speed Drives are among the most efficient types of speed control when used on axial(variable torque) loads like centrifugal fans, pumps and compressors. As the motor reduces theoperating speed of the fan, pump or compressor the horsepower required to operate the system isgreatly reduced.

This is a major advantage of the ASD and one of the primary reasons ASDs have become so popularin many process operations.

Resource: PAControl - AC Adjustable Speed Drives (ASDs)
http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/principles-for-controlling-harmonics

Documents

AC Adjustable Speed Drive ASD an Overview