What is a variable speed AC drive?

Variable speed AC drives are AC motor speed control systems.
AC drives control the speed of either an induction motor or a synchronous motor by adjusting the frequency of the power
supplied to the motor. AC drives are also known as adjustable speed drives (ASD) or adjustable frequency drives (AFD) or
variable frequency drives (VFD) or variable speed drives (VSD) or frequency converters (FC).

The first AC motor was designed in 1899. AC motors convert electric energy into mechanical energy by electromagnetic
induction. AC motors are characterized by:

  • fixed speed, determined by the frequency of the power supply

  • fixed torque

  • Obviously, fixed speed is not suitable for all processes in all circumstances; thus, the need for adjusting the speed according to need.

GBC chooses Vacon as they can provide us with drives from 0.25 kW to 5 MW

Why Save Energy?
Saving energy saves you money and helps combat climate change.

  • 40% of global energy is consumed by industry

  • 65% of industrial energy is consumed by electric motors

  • 25% of global energy is consumed by electric motors

Save Energy - Save Money
Using variable speed drives to control your process will save energy, and save your company valuable
costs. Using a Variable Speed Drive (VSD) to reduce the speed of a pump or fan application can
typically achieve the following savings;

  • reducing a motor speed by 10%, will achieve a 27% reduction in energy consumption

  • reducing a motor speed by 20%, will achieve a 48% reduction in energy consumption

  • As an extra incentive, UK Government has introduced the 'Enhanced Capital Allowances' (ECA) Scheme.

Under the Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) scheme, you can claim an ‘enhanced’ 100% capital allowance on qualifying investments in equipment in the first tax year. Normal capital allowances on plant and machinery are 25% a year on a reducing balance basis. So the scheme boosts cash flow and shortens the payback period.

Vacon Variable Speed Drives are certified as energy saving products and appear on the UK Government's Energy Technology List.

Fitting a variable speed drive to control an HVCA fan or pump motor will often result in substantial cost savings - and achieve a rapid payback.
Just how substantial and how rapid can be easily worked out using this free VSD Savings Calculator.
 

 

 

 


 


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