Variable

Frequency Drive
(VFD)
OVERVIEW &
APPLICATIONS

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 What is VFD
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives
an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the
electric motor. Other names for a VFD are variable speed drive, adjustable
speed drive, adjustable frequency drive, AC drive, microdrive,
and inverter.

Frequency (or hertz) is directly related to the motor’s speed (RPMs). In

other words, the faster the frequency, the faster the RPMs go. If an
application does not require an electric motor to run at full speed, the VFD
can be used to ramp down the frequency and voltage to meet the
requirements of the electric motor’s load. As the application’s motor speed
requirements change, the VFD can simply turn up or down the motor speed
to meet the speed requirement.

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 Application(main )

We use VFD in Inductive Load

VFD is used as a Motor Controller for controlling Motor

speed and torque.

VFD is used for Motor Braking

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Application(others)
 Other applications of VFD- Variable Air Volume System
 Conveyor systems Centrifugal Chiller
 Blower speeds
Air handling unit Cooling
 Pump speeds tower fans in HVAC systems
 Machine tool speeds
Crane & Hoist
 Booster Pumps
 Compressors in Oil & Gas
Industry
 Refrigeration Compressors
 Centrifugal Pumps
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 Benefits & Advantages
Controlled Starting Current
Whenever AC Motor start ,It took 7-8 times current than full load current. So
motor become hot and reduce the longevity . Because of using VFD Motor
start with zero frequency and voltage .It take only 50-70% current of full
load current.
Adjustable Torque Limit
VFD torque amount can be set so that motor cannot cross the limit and save
machine ও production process from damage damage.

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Benefits & Advantages
Adjustable Operating Speed
VFD can easily control speed of motor through  programmable controller or
process controller. In an industrial sense, VFD is always a big bonus for
production.
Reduced Power Line Disturbances
Starting an AC motor across the line, and the subsequent demand for 300-600 %
the motor full-load current, places an enormous drain on the power distribution
system connected to the motor. When the supply voltage sags,the capacity of the
distribution system, the voltage sags can cause sensitive equipment connected on
the same distribution system to trip offline due to the low voltage. Items such as
computers, sensors, proximity switches, and contactors are voltage sensitive and,
when subjected to a large AC motor line started nearby, can drop out.
Using VFD eliminates this voltage sag, since the motor is started at zero voltage
and ramped up.
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 Benefits & Advantages
Controlled Stopping
Stopping is as important as Acceleration. VFD can stop the motor efficiently
using braking resistor
Example
Washing Machine at Dyeing Plant ,normally take 40 minutes but VFD Just
need 2-5 min using breaking resistance .
Energy Saving
VFD saved energy by adjusting speed .Motor speed is proportional to flow of
the load, square times head of the load and cube times power consumed.
Therefore, if motor speed is reduced by 10%, the load material flow is reduced
by 10%, the load head developed is reduced by 19% and the load power
consumption is reduced by 27% .
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 Benefits & Advantages
The main advantage is VFD provides a great deal of control such as

1) Switching ON/Off
2) FWD/ Rev operations
3) Speed control
4) Controlling with inbuilt PID and other such loops
5) Communication features
6) Variable acceleration deceleration options
and many more depending on application

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 Construction of A VFD
VFD normally have four parts

1. Rectifier 2. Intermediate Circuit 3. Inverter 4.

Control Unit

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Construction of VFD

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Construction of VFD

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 Construction of A VFD
Rectifier
Changes the incoming alternating current(AC) supply to direct current(DC).
It can control the power flow direction even if any electrical harmonics
induced then the rectifier can rectify this .
Intermediate Circuit
The rectified DC supply is conditioned in the intermediate circuit. It normally
built using inductors and capacitors.

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 Construction of A VFD
Inverter
The inverter converts the rectified and conditioned DC back into an AC
supply of variable frequency. Various types of Semiconductor Switch being
used but the most popular is Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT).
Control Unit
It monitors and controls the rectifier, the intermediate circuit and the inverter
to deliver the correct output in response to an external control signal.

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 Working Principle of VFD
At first in the rectifier part , supplied ac voltage is converted to dc voltage
with the help of six diodes.

If VFD operate at 480V power system then the peak voltage is 679V and
this voltage has AC ripple .

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Working Principle of VFD

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 Working Principle of VFD
To avoid AC ripple ,normally DC bus এ Capacitor Bank is used
 Capacitor absorbs the ac ripple and delivers a smooth dc voltage
The actual receiving voltage depends on the voltage level of the AC line
feeding the drive, the level of voltage unbalance on the power system, the
motor load, the impedance of the power system, and any reactors or harmonic
filters on the drive.

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 Working Principle of VFD
The diode bridge converter that converts DC-to-AC normally known as
Inverter.
When we close one of the top switches in the inverter, that phase of the motor
is connected to the positive dc bus and the voltage on that phase becomes
positive.
When we close one of the bottom switches in the converter, that phase is
connected to the negative dc bus and becomes negative.
Thus, we can make any phase on the motor become positive or negative at
will and can thus generate any frequency that we want. So, we can make any
phase be positive, negative, or zero

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 Working Principle of VFD
The output from the VFD is a “rectangular” wave form.

VFD’s do not produce a sinusoidal output.

This rectangular waveform would not be a good choice for a general

purpose distribution system, but is perfectly adequate for a motor

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Working Principle of VFD

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Terminals of VFD(SHIHLIN)

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Terminals of VFD(SHIHLIN)
Controlling terminal

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Terminals of VFD(SHIHLIN)
1.Input Terminal
2.Output Terminal
3.Breaking Resistance

1.

2
3

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 Terminals of VFD(SHIHLIN)
Input Terminal Output Terminal

R S T U V W

DIGITAL Terminal
SD STF STR M0 M1 M2 RES S0 SE PC
Start Start
Multi Function Transistor +24
0 VDC Forwa Rever Reset
Terminal Operation VDC
rd se

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 Terminals of VFD(SHIHLIN)
Analog Output Terminal
Brake Terminal AM FM
Amplitude Frequency
+/N PR -/N Modulation Modulation

ANALOG Terminal
10 2 5 4 A B C
4~20 mA (in)/ 0~10
+10 V 0~10 VDC (in) 0 VDC VDC (in) NO NC

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Terminals of VFD(SHIHLIN)

If we want to use 0 VDC for Controlling

Sink then we have to use Switch Sink .

Source If we want to use 24 VDC for Controlling

then we have to use Switch Source .

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Terminals of VFD(SHIHLIN)

Analog Current Input-Analog Terminal 5

for 4~20mA Controlling than you have to
ACI use this switch

Analog Voltage Input-Analog Terminal 5

AVI for 0~24VDC Controlling than you have
to use this Switch.

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