6/1/2020 VFD switching frequency | KEB

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VFD switching frequency

Mike Glampe | October 17th, 2017

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VFD switching frequency refers to the rate at which the DC bus voltage is switched on
and off during the pulse width modulation (PWM) process. The switching on and off of
the DC voltage is done by Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs). The PWM process
utilizes the switching of the IGBT’s to create the variable voltage and variable frequency
output from the VFD for control of AC induction, permanent magnet synchronous or DC
motors. The switching frequency, sometimes called the “carrier frequency”, is defined
using the unit of hertz (Hz) and is typically in the kHz (Hz*1000) range, typically ranging
from 4 to 16khz, or 4000 to 16000 switches on/off per second.

To determine what switching frequency would work best for your application, it is
beneficial to look at the advantages and disadvantages as the switching frequency is
increased.

Switching frequency – Effect on current

distortion
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The harmonic content in the current waveform generated by the PWM process is
reduced as the switching frequency increases. The ‘cleaner’ waveform results in higher
efficiency by reducing the current ripple, which results in lower motor losses. This benefit
of a higher switching frequency is more pronounced as the output frequency to the motor
increases.

The effects of using different switching frequencies can be seen in the application below.
A surface mount permanent magnet (SMPM) motor is run by a KEB high speed VFD.
The operating point of the system is 50kW @ 10000rpm (333hz). Figure 1 shows the
current waveform (green) and the PWM output of the VFD (red) at a 4khz switching
frequency. In this application, the required current to reach the operating point is
178amps.

The formula for the total harmonic current distortion (THD(I)) is:

where

I1 = r.m.s. current at the fundamental frequency

In = r.m.s current of nth harmonic

n(max) is the number of the highest measurable or significant harmonic. In this case, the
highest harmonic used was n = 50.

For this application, running at 50kW @ 10000rpm, using a 4khz switching frequency,
the THD(I) = 12.69%.

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50kW @ 10000rpm, using a 4khz switching frequency, the THD(I) = 12.69%

Running the system at the same operation point (50kW at 10000rpm) and increasing the
switching frequency to 8khz gives the current waveform at the motor shown in figure 2
and the resulting THD(I) = 6.27%.

50kW @ 10000rpm, using a 8khz switching frequency, the THD(I) = 6.27%

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The reduced current distortion translates into lower rotor heating of the motor and a
higher motor efficiency. The reduced rotor heating is of great concern when motors
utilize bearing technology that requires very small clearances (air foil or magnetic).
Excess rotor heating can cause the rotor to expand or elongate, which could result in the
rotor impacting the bearing surface.

Switching Frequency – Effect on high

frequency outputs
As the motor output frequency increases, the impact of the VFD switching frequency
becomes more pronounced. Using the same motor as above, the operating point was
increased to 100kW at 20000rpm (666hz). Again, the required output current from the
VFD to reach this operation point was 178amps.

At 4khz switching frequency (figure 3), THD(I) = 17.27%.

50kW @ 20000rpm, using a 4khz switching frequency, the THD(I) = 17.27%

At 8khz switching frequency (figure 4), THD(I) = 8.47%.

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50kW @ 20000rpm, using a 8khz switching frequency, the THD(I) = 8.47%

At 16khz switching frequency (figure 5), THD(I) = 4.05%.

50kW @ 20000rpm, using a 16khz switching frequency, the THD(I) = 4.05%

The higher switching frequency decreases the audible noise that can be heard from the
motor. The audible noise from the motor is a result of the stator laminations vibrating at
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the carrier frequency rate. As the carrier frequency is increased, the pitch of the noise
from the stator laminations is increased moving the levels farther out of the normal
hearing range of humans. Motor noise levels may be of concern based on the
application requirements (elevator motors, theater equipment, etc.). In these cases, a
VFD with a higher carrier frequency may be an option.

As the switching frequency increases, motor heating due to higher harmonic content in
the current waveform decreases. At the same time, the heat generated internally in the
VFD due to the IGBT switching is increased. Each switching action of the IGBT
produces a relatively fixed amount of heat loss. So as switching frequency increases so
does the overall heat loss of the VFD. The heatsink of the VFD must be designed to
provide sufficient cooling of the VFD to operate during the maximum rated ambient
conditions. KEB drives are rated based on a specific switching frequency. It may be
possible for a specific drive to operate at a higher switching frequency than rated, but
the output may have to be reduced in order to keep the drive from overheating. If the
system requires a higher switching frequency, then the heatsink may need to be
increased in size, have increased air flow or liquid cooled. All of these options are
available on KEB drives.

Because of the higher heat loss due to the higher switching frequency, and the fact that
the heatsink may need to be larger (if air cooled), this results in a larger physical size
VFD and consequently higher initial component costs.

KEB has an option for liquid cooling of the VFD for situations where space may be an
issue. While this does potentially reduce the physical size of the VFD housing, it does
introduce the requirement for access to a cooling fluid.

The VFD ratings are based on maximum ambient conditions. In most cases, the VFD is
mounted inside an electrical enclosure. There for the maximum ambient temperature
around the VFD becomes the temperature inside the enclosure. With a higher heat loss
from the VFD due to the higher switching frequency, this introduces more heat loss into
the enclosure. The higher enclosure heat load may require additional cooling (fans, air
conditioner) to be added to the enclosure itself, depending on the application
requirements.

The VFD switching frequency used for a specific application depends heavily on the
application requirements and components in the system. Motor design, noise levels,
required system efficiency, cooling requirements and component costs all need to be
considered when determining the optimal VFD switching frequency for the application.

KEB VFD’s can operate at switching frequencies up to 16khz. KEB has a strong
background in applications requiring high switching frequencies. Because of our

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extensive application experience in these types of applications, KEB drives have been
developed to deal with the inherent challenges that come with the higher switching
frequencies. Whether your application requires a high switching frequency or not, KEB
has the options and expertise to help you meet your application requirements.

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