Skip to main content

MOTOR CONSIDERATIONS WITH AC DRIVES

One drawback to pulse width modulated drives is their tendency to produce voltage spikes, which in some instances can damage the insulation systems used in electric motors. This tendency is increased in applications with long cable distances (more than 50 feet) between the motor and drive and with higher-voltage drives. In the worst cases, the spikes can literally “poke a hole” into the insulation, particularly that used in the motor’s windings. To guard against insulation damage, some manufacturers now offer inverter-duty motors having special insulation systems that resist voltage spike damage. For example, LEESON’s system, used in all three-phase motors 1 HP and larger, is called IRIS™ (Inverter Rated Insulation System).

Particularly with larger drives, it may be advisable to install line reactors between the motor and drive to choke off the voltage spikes. In addition, some increased motor heating will inevitably occur because of the inverter’s “synthesized” AC wave form. Insulation systems on industrial motors built in recent years, and especially inverter-duty motors, can tolerate this except in the most extreme instances. A greater cooling concern involves operating for an extended time at low motor RPM, which reduces the flow of cooling air and especially in constant torque applications where the motor is heavily loaded even at low speeds. Here, secondary cooling such as a special blower may be required.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CORONA

Corona has many advantages and disadvantages. In the correct design of a high voltage overhead line, a balance should be struck between the advantages and disadvantages. ADVANTAGES (i) Due to corona formation, the air surrounding the conductor becomes conducting and hence virtual diameter of the conductor is increased. The increased diameter reduces the electrostatic stresses between the conductors. (ii) Corona reduces the effects of transients produced by surges. DIS-ADVANTAGES (i) Corona is accompanied by a loss of energy. This affects the transmission efficiency of the line. (ii) Ozone is produced by corona and may cause corrosion of the conductor due to chemical action. (iii) The current drawn by the line due to corona is non-sinusoidal and hence non-sinusoidal voltage drop occurs in the line. This may cause inductive interference with neighboring communication lines.

ADVANTAGES OF PER UNIT SYSTEM

PER UNIT SYSTEM The per-unit system expressed the voltages, currents, powers, impedances, and other electrical quantities basis by the equation: Quantity per unit (pu) = Actual value/ Base value of quantity ADVANTAGES OF PER UNIT SYSTEM While performing calculations, referring quantities from one side of the transformer to the other side serious errors may be committed. This can be avoided by using per unit system. Voltages, currents and impedances expressed in per unit do not change when they are referred from one side of transformer to the other side. This is a great advantage. Per unit impedances of electrical equipment of similar type usually lie within a narrow range, when the equipment ratings are used as base values. Transformer connections do not affect the per unit values. Manufacturers usually specify the impedances of machines and transformers in per unit or percent of name plate ratings. Transformers can be replaced by their equivalent series impedances. ...

ABSOLUTE AND SECONDARY INSTRUMENTS

The various electrical instruments may, in a very broad sense, be divided into (i) Absolute Instruments (ii) Secondary Instruments. Absolute Instruments are those which give the value of the quantity to be measured, in terms of the constants of the instrument and their deflection only. No previous calibration or comparison is necessary in their case. The example of such an instrument is tangent galvanometer, which gives the value of current, in terms of the tangent of deflection produced by the current, the radius and number of turns of wire used and the horizontal component of earth’s field.  Secondary Instruments  are those, in which the value of electrical quantity to be measured can be determined from the deflection of the instruments, only when they have been pre-calibrated by comparison with an absolute instrument. Without calibration, the deflection of such instruments is meaningless. It is the secondary instruments, which are most generally used in ev...