Cut Costs and Protect Equipment With VFDS

Variable frequency drives improve energy efficiency and reduce wear and tear on equipment.

- By Karen Jones Machinery Executive Editor [e-mail]

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) take single-phase or three-phase power, and output a three-phase variable voltage and frequency.

There are many instances where agriculture can benefit from this technology.

“With a VFD, you can ramp up a motor’s speed slowly or vary the speed,” said Ben Strong, Mitsubishi Electric Automation industry marketing manager. “For instance, if you have a centrifugal pump, it may consume less energy at 56 hertz instead of the 60 hertz we get from the power lines. With a VFD, we can have more control over the energy we use.”

When a motor starts on AC power directly across the line, it instantly goes from zero to 60 hertz, which Strong called “relatively violent.” This also draws a great deal of power while the motor is accelerating. With a VFD, the speed can be ramped up or down in a controlled manner, which uses less energy and has less wear and tear on the mechanical systems.

How Do VFDs Work?