Understanding the Role of Invertor Duty in Variable Frequency Drives

  • Thread starter Thread starter Artman
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of "invertor duty" in relation to Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). Participants explore the reasons for using invertor duty motors with VFDs, including their electrical and cooling characteristics, as well as the implications for motor performance at varying speeds.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that invertor duty motors are necessary for VFDs due to their ability to handle harmonic distortions.
  • Artman outlines several characteristics of invertor duty motors, including lower packing factors for windings to enhance cooling, higher insulation ratings for wires to withstand high voltage spikes, and greater cooling capacity.
  • There is mention of bearing shunts to prevent induced transient currents from high-frequency switching in VFDs.
  • Concerns are raised about the cooling challenges when operating motors at low speeds, particularly at 5 or 10 Hz, which can lead to overheating if not properly managed.
  • A recommendation is made to consult specific motor manufacturers for guidance on the appropriate speed ratings under specified loads.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of using invertor duty motors with VFDs, but there is no consensus on the precise definition or implications of "invertor duty." The discussion includes multiple viewpoints on the characteristics and challenges associated with these motors.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of "invertor duty" and the specific conditions under which these motors should be operated. The conversation does not resolve the complexities of harmonic distortion or the full range of operational parameters for VFDs.

Artman
Messages
1,507
Reaction score
40
What does "invertor duty" do?

I know that invertor duty motors should be used when Variable Frequency Drives are used. What I don't know is why.

What does invertor duty do?

I think it has something to do with cleaning up the harmonic distortions caused by the drives. Is this it?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org


Originally posted by Artman
I know that invertor duty motors should be used when Variable Frequency Drives are used. What I don't know is why.

What does invertor duty do?

I think it has something to do with cleaning up the harmonic distortions caused by the drives. Is this it?

This is not a uniformly defined concept. Typically, it addresses the following:

Lower packing factors for the windings; to allow for more cooling.

Higher insulation ratings for the wire; for HV spikes caused by the PWM or PFM in the drive.

Greater cooling capacity.

Bearing shunts to prevent induced transient currents [again from the high frequency switching in the VFD] from passing through the bearing.

In addition to the electrical characteristics, the cooling is a major issue. Normally, a rule of thumb applies that we never run a motor at more than twice or less than half the rated value for sustained periods. VFDs allow much lower motor speed than was typically found in the past - before VFDs. So what happens is that people will try to run a motor a 5 or 10 Hz [~150 to 300 RPM], and the internal fan in the motor provides little to no cooling at these speeds. If we are under load at 10 Hz for example, the motor burns up.

Always check with the specific motor manufacturer to identify the lowest or highest rating for motor speed under a specified load.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Ivan. Everything you said makes sense. I will pass alkong the info to the guy who asked me (I told someone that VFDs required invertor duty rated motors and he said "Why?" I wasn't really sure, I just knew they did.)

Thanks again.
 
Always glad to help if I can. :smile:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
7K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
4K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
6K
Replies
23
Views
8K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K