VFDs, also known as AC drives, have the potential to improve the productivity of your factory’s machinery considerably. At their best, they do a great job of helping regulate power levels, which in turn helps you be a lot more efficient about how you use that power to drive your machinery.
That said, far too often consumers read about the wonders of VFDs and simply purchase one without first considering what makes a VFD a good fit for their setup. You don’t want to spend all that time and money on a unit, only to discover that it is incompatible with your machinery.
That’s why you’ll want to take these six considerations to heart when evaluating whether or not a VFD is right for your industrial setup.
Cooling Considerations
This is perhaps the most important factor to consider when selecting and installing a VFD. You do not want your VFD overheating under any circumstances. The consequences could be disastrous.
As such, you’ll want to make sure that any VFD you purchase has a powerful and consistent cooling system. You’ll also want to avoid placing the unit in direct sunlight or other places that are prone to heat exposure.
Power Supply and Quality
Whatever type of VFD you purchase, you need to make sure that it is continuously powered by a consistent power supply. Make sure that any lines connecting your VFD to power sources are unobstructed. You’ll want to do some research and compare how efficiently different VFDs are able to remain powered. What’s more, you’ll want to make sure that the connection powering your VFD is of good quality and free of any fraying wires or other potential hazards.
For reference, 115V and24V are common power frequency signal types. It can thus be helpful to look for VFDs with this feature and control circuits.
Motor Protection
You need to make sure that the motor that powers your VFD remains protected at all costs. That means having to shield around the unit as well as insulation to prevent it from extreme heat, cold, electrical surges, or anything that could steer your unit away from electrical safety guidelines.
Moisture Protection
You’ll also want to make sure that the unit in question is protected against moisture. Just as heat can be incredibly dangerous for the safety and long-term survival of your unit, so too can moisture wreak havoc, causing your VFD to malfunction and potentially become unsafe. As such, you’ll need to make sure that your VFD is stored well away from any sources of moisture and that it is protected in the event of rain.
Ease of Installation
No one wants to spend forever installing a new VFD. After all, units such as these are intended to speed up production, not cause it to drag on for ages as you get everything hooked up. What’s more, the more complex connections you have, the greater the risk of something going wrong. It thus generally behooves you to simplify matters and opt for a VFD that exemplifies the elegance of simple, streamlined design.
Affordable Options
You don’t want to have to pay a fortune for a VFD, either. The typical price for a VFD is typically affordable at a couple of hundred dollars, with options for personal use being less expensive and high-end factory-ready units slightly more so. Take the time to compare prices as well as compatibility. After all, it won’t be of much help to get a less expensive VFD if it does not suit your system or does little in the way of regulating or improving torque or power.
Take these tips to heart, and you’ll be able to find the right VFD for your industrial aims.