FACULTY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

Hamdard Institute of Engineering & Technology

Hamdard University
Open Ended Lab
(Freedom to Develop own experiment without guidelines)

Objective: Before Mid-Exam

Working and Applications VFD (variable-frequency drive) ?

Methodology:
They are used for running an AC motor at variable speeds or let them ramp up their speed to give
them a smooth startup.

They work by adjusting the frequency of the motor to adjust the rpms. To do this, a VFD will actually
convert the voltage twice.
First, it converts our three phase AC to DC, this is accomplished with diodes. Then it cleans the DC with a
capacitor. Next it will convert the DC to AC, this is accomplished with transistors acting as switches.
Utilizing these “switches” is what allows the VFD to adjust the frequency that the VFD supplies to the
motor.
This in turn controls the speed of the motor.

Applications:
One very common use in industry is to control the speed of a water pump in a water treatment
facility.
A water treatment plant typically has a constant flow of water coming in to the plant. However, if the water
demand exiting the plant is lower than the supply entering the plant, then the operator will need to slow
down the supply.

This is achieved by using a VFD on the AC motor. The operator can monitor water flow and manually
adjust the VFD accordingly. Another great thing about VFDs is the fact that they can be controlled with a
PLC.PLCs can monitor and control motor speeds using the VFD. This helps make a process like water
treatment that much easier and more efficient. This setup can be used in any situation that would benefit
from automation.

Learning Outcome:
VFD stands for Variable Frequency Drive.
They are used for controlling the speed of an AC motor.
They are also used for ramping up a motor for a smooth startup,or to prevent a heavy load from straining
the motor on startup.

Hamdard Institute of Engineering & Technology, Hamdard University

SharaeMadinat Al-Hikmah, Muhammad Bin Qasim Avenue, Karachi 74600, Pakistan.
 FACULTY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
Hamdard Institute of Engineering & Technology
Hamdard University
VFD internal Diagram:

VFD Brands:

VFD Application Example:

Hamdard Institute of Engineering & Technology, Hamdard University

SharaeMadinat Al-Hikmah, Muhammad Bin Qasim Avenue, Karachi 74600, Pakistan.