Variable Frequency Drives

Upcoming Dates and Locations

• Description

  Students will learn how to improve VFD control and efficiency, troubleshoot and fix VFDs, reduce equipment downtime, and eliminate chronic VFD problems. Students will perform hands-on activities with a real-life variable frequency drive. Students will input motor data into the variable frequency drive, set parameters for speed control and overcurrent protection, and check fault codes. Students will complete this VFD training course with the ability to lower the cost of VFD operation, thus alleviating the need for hiring costly outside service contractors, all while establishing a culture of safe work practices among employees.

• Course Outline

  Day One - Discussion Topics

  VFD Safety Review

  • Electrical Hazards
  • Establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition
  • Personal Protective Equipment & Insulated Tools

  Electrical Basics Review

  • Multimeter, Clamp-On, Megohmmeter
  • Single Phase and Three Phase Motors
  • Motor Troubleshooting and Replacement
  • Basic Control Circuits & Troubleshooting

  What VFDs Do

  • Motion Control / Motor Speed
  • Air Flow / Liquid Flow / Pressure Control
  • Eliminates the need for: 
  • Variable Transmission or Sheave
  • Variable Vanes or Dampers on Fans
  • Variable Valves on Pumps

  Benefits of Using a VFD

  • Energy Savings
  • Easier Maintenance
  • Enhanced System Monitoring

  Load Types

  • Constant Torque – Conveyors, Positive Displacement Pumps, Superchargers
  • Variable Torque – Centrifugal Fans or Pumps, Saws, Routers, Planers

  VFD Options

  • Bypass – Two or Three Contactor Style, Disconnect Switch Style, Soft Starter
  • Fusing – VFD or Bypass Protection
  • Input / Output Reactors
  • Motor Overload Device
  • Transient Protection
  • Auxiliary Relays
  • Power Line Phase Reversal Detection

  Day Two - Discussion Topics

  Installation of a VFD

  • Environmental Concerns
  • Clearances
  • Conduit Entry

  Customer Connections

  • Safety Circuit
  • Start / Stop
  • Jog
  • Status Indication
  • Fault Indication
  • Remote Speed Reference
  • Monitoring of Motor Parameters

  Wiring & Grounding VFDs

  • Induced Signals
  • Inductive, capacitive
  • Incoming Power (line) Wiring
  • Motor (load) Wiring
  • Control Wiring
  • Proper Grounding Methods

  Controlling a VFD

  • Keypad Controls
  • Terminal Strip Control – Automatic, Manual
  • Bus Communication Control
  • Open Loop Control
  • Manual Operation
  • Automatic Operation
  • Sensorless Flux Vector
  • Closed Loop Control
  • PI Loop Configuration
  • Sensor or Transducer Feedback
  • Motor Shaft Encoder Feedback

  VFD Setup, Programming, & Troubleshooting

  • Language & Display
  • Control Modes
  • Open Loop, Closed Loop
  • Motor Data
  • Power (kW) and RPM
  • Voltage, FLA Current
  • Service Factor, Power Factor
  • References & Limits
  • Motor Speeds – Min, Max and Preset
  • Ramp Times
  • Speed Reference
  • Skip Frequencies
  • Limits for Alarms or Faults
  • Inputs / Outputs – Analog, Digital, and Relay
  • Application Functions
  • Reset
  • Flying Start
  • Sleep Mode
  • Switching Frequency
  • No Load
  • Phase Loss
  • Closed Loop Functions
  • Normal / Inverse
  • Anti Windup
  • Start-up Frequency
  • Lowpass Filter