VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE

Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), also named as frequency inverter, AC drive, variable speed drive
(VSD), adjustable frequency drive (AFD) etc. is an energy saving device especially for AC motor speed
control by changing the fixed frequency (50Hz/60Hz) to variable frequency in order to adjust the motor speed
according to the load demand.
A variable frequency drive or VFD is used along with ac motors to increase the energy efficiency and
control the speed. VFD’s operate the motors at various speeds and so it is very suitable in process industries.
This is achieved by changing the frequency of the motors and thereby altering its speed based on the following
formula.
Ns = (120 * f) / P
Where, Ns - synchronous speed of the motor, in rpm
F – frequency, in Hz
P – Number of stator poles
A VFD is also used to start the motor smoothly and it limits the high starting current. It stays connected to the
motor throughout unlike other starters.
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF VFD
AC DC PURE DC AC
RECTIFIER FILTER INVERTER

Fig1: VFD Block Diagram

The VFD comprises of a rectifier which converts the ac input to dc. This dc signal contains unwanted
components and harmonics so the dc signal is filtered using a capacitor. The output signal from capacitor is a
smooth dc signal. The inverter converts the dc back to ac and feeds it to the motor input. The inverter produces
an ac signal of a different frequency and voltage level that will alter the motor speed eventually.
SIGNIFICANCE OF VFD
✓ It does not draw any reactive power from the grid.
✓ It increases the power factor of the system.
✓ It is most suitable for continuously fluctuating loads.
VFD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
✓ The output power of the VFD should be greater than the input power of motor and cable losses.
✓ The VFD power factor should be less than the motor power factor in order to supply the reactive power
to be consumed by the motor.
Applications of VFD
✓ Used in water treatment plants to control the speed of inlet water pump.
✓ Used for ramping up of ac motors for a smooth start up.
✓ Used to prevent a heavy load from straining the motor.
✓ VFD can be controlled using PLC to monitor and control the motor speeds automatically.
 ETAP SIMULATIONS
Q. Consider the grid voltage is 11 kV. The transformer rating is 10 MVA, 11/3.3kV, and Z = 8.35%. The
motor loads are of 400kW, 3.3kV, pf = 0.9211.
Solution:
➢ The motor draws an input of 428.9kW real power and 181.3 kvar reactive power from the grid.
➢ The VFD designed for this motor should have a power output which includes the motor input power
and cable losses.
VFD Poutput = Motor Pinput + cable losses = 428.9 + 21.1 = 450 kW
(Assuming cable losses to be 21.1kW)
➢ Since motor power factor is 92.11% the VFD power factor should be less than the motor so that all the
reactive power consumed is supplied only by VFD i.e., VFD pf = 90%
➢ The VFD input is set at a power factor of 97.5%, and so its input power is 461.5kVA and the input
efficiency is considered to be 100%.

VFD DESIGN PARAMETERS

Fig 2: VFD Input and Output Parameters

Inference From Simulation:
✓ The motor with VFD does not draw any reactive power from the grid.
✓ Since the load is running at constant power throughout, the total power consumed by VFD is higher
than the power consumed by the motor.
Key Take away points:
➢ VFD is used to control the speed of the motor in process industries.
➢ It is used for energy efficient purpose.
➢ It can start the motor smoothly and limits the high starting current.
➢ The VFD finds application with motor where the speed is continuously changing due to constant
varying loads. The induction motor does not have any control over the speed and so VFD is used to
optimise the speed. VFD adjusts the voltage and frequency so that only required amount of power is
consumed by the motor and the excess power is saved.

Note: if the motor is operated at 90% loading then the use of VFD is meaningless since the loss across VFD
is high. If the requirement is only for smooth starting of the motor, then it’s a better choice to opt for soft
starters as VFD is expensive.

VFD is the best choice for motors with continuously changing loads.